lady on computer

Resume with limited or no work experience

First-time job seekers applying for jobs face a similar challenge: no work experience to prove they’re qualified. Most hiring managers or recruiters review work history as one of the best ways to predict future job performance.

So what can you do when you don’t have work experience? Maybe you’re fresh out of school or trying to change careers – it might be a bit tricky, but with these tips, you can still create an impressive entry-level resume.

Short and Sweet ResumeLooking to create a resume with no Work Expereince? Heartland Resumes and our professional writers, can help.

Most resumes have two pages, but this could be silly when you don’t have the experience to fill the pages. Keep things short and easy to read on one page, so your best achievements and skills can stand out to hiring managers.

Transferable skills

List anything work-related that comes to mind. Emphasizing your transferable skills will help in two ways: Build your confidence in what you have done and show the value you bring to the organization. 

Life experiences, volunteer work, time management, computer skills, and education are valuable skills you can highlight to potential employers. Remember to include any awards or academic honors you have won.

Be practical 

When changing careers, you can’t expect to land at the same level you were at, and if you are a new job seeker, you won’t be starting with any senior titles. Don’t look at any job as beneath you. You could be surprised that even an entry-level position can have a lot of room for advancement within a company.

Stay positive!

Seeing a long list of qualifications can discourage new job seekers, but most of the time, these are wish lists rather than firm requirements. Don’t be afraid of applying if you are missing 2-3 off the list! Writing a great cover letter or using a professional cover letter writing service is the best way to stand out from the crowd and convince an employer you can quickly learn the skills they need.

Keep learning

If you lack experience now, it won’t be that way for long! It would be best if you were always looking for ways to improve. Internships, volunteering, courses, and personal projects are great ways to acquire new skills and make connections to build your network. Your most valuable asset is the drive for knowledge and a positive attitude. And when you are ready to add those experiences to your resume, contact our professional resume writers

 

This article was originally published in April 2020 and has been recently updated. 

new career

Practical Tools for a Career Change (Successfully!)

Changing Career Paths

From a young age, we set our sites on careers that are frequently not practical as adults, leaving us to contemplate a different career path. Reasons for this change can be vastly different from one person to the next, but the idea of changing your career can be intimidating. 

Before choosing to switch careers, it could be helpful to evaluate your current position. What are the things you found intriguing when you first took the job, and what are your main concerns today? This process could help determine if you need to explore more options in your current career or change paths entirely.Tools for a Career Change, Tools for a Successul Career Change Omaha, Changing careers in Omaha, Resume Writer Omaha, Local Resume Writer

Here are a few simple tools for changing careers

  • Understanding your current job satisfaction. It’s important to know about your current job you like and dislike. While evaluating why you dislike your job, consider whether it involves the work itself, company culture, or the people. Figuring out you’re ‘why’ will go a long way when it’s time for the change. 
  • Core values, skills, and interests. Reviewing your current and past roles, jobs, projects, or volunteer work can help identify what skills and interests are most important to you. Taking time to evaluate your core values and learning what skills and interests you want from your next career will make the transition more meaningful. Resources are available online to help you learn more about your core values, skills, and interests. Check out the Life Values Self-Assessment Test. This is a great tool to determine your core values. Another valuable resource is Careerfitter. This test offers a comprehensive career profile that helps you determine what path is right for you. 
  • Go big, but know what it takes to get there. If your current job is as an electrician, but you want to be a college professor, know that you may significant schooling and experience you will need before you get to that end goal. Carefully think through this and make sure it’s worth your time.
  • Increase your knowledge. Consider ways to learn new skills in your current job that are related to the type of position you want to be in. Most companies offer internal training, so take advantage of it. Sign up for as many as you can. These skills can provide you with the experience your new career may be looking for without returning to school.
  • Don’t quit your day job. Understanding this may not be an option for everyone, but if you can avoid it, do. Staying focused on finding a new career works best when you are not worried about when your next paycheck is coming. If you get laid off, think about taking a short-term position until you can fully transition into the career you want. 

After using these simple tools and you are ready to start applying for jobs, the next step is to hire a professional resume writing company to ensure your cover letter reflects your values and aspirations and your resume focuses on your new goals. Contact the Resume Experts at Heartland Resumes today!