Can You Get a Good Job if You Have No Experience?

Setting out to get your first “real” job can be an intimidating excursion. This is especially true if you don’t have a lot of experience or education in the area that you are interested in. Many people let their lack of experience keep them from trying at all to get the job they want. It might seem sensible. After all, wouldn’t the company wait to hire a candidate who is uniquely fit to their exact specifications?

Well, that’s not always the case. There are many reasons why you shouldn’t let lack of experience keep you from trying to get the job you want. Here’s why.

• In Canada, it’s a Job-Hunter’s Market. Canada is a large and diverse nation. But in many regions, there are more specialised jobs than there are candidates to fill them. That means that lots of businesses are going to have to do some on-the-job training. This further means that even if you don’t have specific job skills yet, you may be able to demonstrate that you have been very effective at tasks in a separate industry. Quick Learning is a skill set all its own, and it’s one that could earn you a job if you demonstrate that you can apply it to the work of this new employer.

• Personality Matters. You hear about “cultural fit” a lot. And truthfully, it’s one of the most important factors in getting a job anywhere. Many people have written about how an interviewer’s opinion of a job candidate is cemented within the first 30 seconds of a job interview. During this time, the hiring manager decides that this is, or isn’t, someone he or she would like to work with. Many times, personality trumps ability and experience. So don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. Try to be a candidate worth hiring for your own native qualities.

• Contrast is Important. Even if you are somewhat distinct from the company culture, or from the kind of people who typically apply for a certain position, this may end up playing in your favor. Companies know that it is good not to be homogenous. Even if you look or act a little different, a hiring manager may walk away thinking “You know, we need a little bit of that around here.” So be yourself, you never know how it’ll turn out.

• It’s a Numbers Game. Eventually, someone will probably hire you. So even if the above techniques don’t seem to work out after one or two tries, don’t give up. In fact, double down. Using career finding resources like careerbuilder.ca, you’ll be able to take the number of interviews you receive from a trickle to a torrent. As you make more of these meetings, refine your pitch. Get to know what it is you actually offer, from experience, skill set, and personality. Don’t be discouraged by temporary setbacks. Eventually, you’ll get a call back, and you only need one of those to make this whole process worthwhile.

As you can see, there’s no reason to be discouraged by a lack of skills or experience. In fact, everybody starts out this way. People achieve skills and experience by working hard to get their foot in the door, then making good on the promise they show early on. Even if you’ve never done this in the past, all you need to know is that this is how it works, then apply yourself to the effort. Keep it up, and before too long, you’ll be gainfully employed in a field that (perhaps) you never thought was possible for you to work within.