How to Start a New Job with No Experience

How to Start a New Job with No Experience You never thought it would happen to you, but your dream job has become a nightmare. The good thing about nightmares, however, is that you can wake up from them. You can do the same with a bad job. Wake up! Its time to find a new career. At least theres some good news. You no longer have to be a cookie-cutter person stuck in the same tedious career forever. Thanks to your self-awareness of your needs and your willingness to commit to change, youre already steps ahead of an average employee. How courageous! Heres the bad news, though: changing careers isnt as simple as changing your Facebook profile picture when you get a haircut. And unfortunately, if youve been in the workforce for several years, the fresh out of college excuse wont do it this time. Theres still hope! Even if all your past experience relates to your old career, you can still break into a new one. Here are a few strategies to guide you. Focus on What You Loved/Didnt Love About Your Career What was it that drew you to the career youre quitting? Time to do some serious brainstorming here. Was it your passion for writing, working with people or solving equations? Once you figure this out, you can research different careers that require similar skills. Its also important to assess the reasons why youre leaving this career. Being realistic about the not-so-great qualities of the career you chose will help you accept why it’s okay to leave. Maybe the job was stressful. Maybe there was the constant threat of layoffs, a terrible boss, or simply a lack of motivation in the workplace. You don’t have to immerse yourself in your field to the point where you’re drowning. Immerse yourself in part of it and accept that some aspects simply aren’t for you. Research Your New Industry You can’t just dive headfirst into a new career. Imagine sitting at the interview table, listening to the interviewer talking â€" and not understanding a single word she’s saying. That would be pretty embarrassing. Treat this like a college course and do some thorough research. Read books, journals and magazines, take some online classes and maybe even get a certification. Potential employers will understand that you won’t know all the ins and outs of their standards, practices and trends, but every little step helps. Volunteer Like researching, volunteering is a surefire way to get your foot in the door of an industry. The best part is, if you don’t like it, you can always stop easily with no repercussions. Volunteering also gives you an inside glimpse to what a career will be like. If you realize the career is not for you, it can open some other doors for your skills and interests. If you love volunteering, you’ll gain some real-world experience you can brag about to employers. Establish a Network You’re not alone in the world! You can probably find someone, whether it’s a close friend, relative or online connection, that works in your target industry. Networking can help you make connections with hiring managers you wouldn’t find walking on the street. A referral from a trusted colleague can get you noticed right away by these managers. It can also prove youre able to work through a lack of experience. Be Honest and Enthusiastic Dont pretend like your other career never happened â€" managers and recruiters will know. Theyll also notice how you were gaining speed in your old field and came to an abrupt stop when you left. This is your chance to be as upfront as possible. Lay it all out on the table and get it over with. Explain the why, when and how of your career change decision. Make sure to focus on what attracted you to the new industry. Be passionate! Showing these employers why this career would be a better fit for you can win them over. An enthusiastic, can-do attitude can make an interview successful. Although you might be back at the bottom rung, its possible to take the necessary steps to rebuild your career path. You might start out making coffee and copies, but remain optimistic and good-willed. Every bit of experience is beneficial in the long run. ?? Reply Sarah Landrum June 25, 2015 at 12:30 pm (5 years ago) HAHA Glad its making it to the favorites, though. Good luck with the nightmare job! Reply Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment *Name* Email * Website Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Meet Sarah Sarah Landrum is a leading millennial career expert and the founder of Punched Clocks. Find Out More! 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