You probably feel compelled to do something after graduation if you’re a recent graduate. But you’re asking yourself how you’d get a job with no experience after school.

We can all relate to the existential crisis of wondering how to get a job after college with no experience, whether you took some time off to celebrate finishing school or dove right into trying to get a job after graduation.  These emotions make you wonder if you didn’t make the cut and will have to settle for a job you’ll hate out of desperation.  It can potentially send you a downward spiral of pessimism and negative self-talk.

It’s time to let go of self-doubt and get down to business.  Many recent graduates, including yourself, are gaining an advantage over the competition by completing marketing apprenticeships. 

Your next job could be right around the corner; keep reading to learn how to get it. 

Find a mentor who can help you find work.

Another advantage of working on side projects is that you will meet people who could potentially become mentors.  Having someone to guide you through the first steps of your early career can help you overcome the confusion and stress of finding your first job.

A mentor will also provide you with useful feedback on your work.  This feedback is valuable because it improves your learning.  Classroom learning cannot compete with getting advice from someone in the trenches.  Some things can only be learned through experience, and mentors allow you to do so.

Ruthlessly Personalize your resume. 

Your resume is your chance to demonstrate the value you can bring to your next employer.  However, even if they are advertising for the same position, not all employers require the same skills, experience, or qualifications.

Employers have varying requirements and will highlight various aspects of a position in a job description.  As a result, to increase your chances of getting an interview, you should tailor your resume to each specific position you are applying for. 

Follow the steps below to customize your resume: 

• Create a “master” resume highlighting the qualifications, experiences, and skills you believe are important for your desired position. 
• Once you’ve identified positions that interest you, review each job description and highlight the skills, experiences, and qualifications you have that apply to that position. 
• Tailor your “master” resume for each job by emphasizing the specific skills and experiences emphasized in the job postings.  When possible, mimic the language used to help get through automated hiring tools such as applicant tracking systems. 
• Tailor your cover letter by emphasizing the same skills and experience that you did in your resume, again using job-specific phrasing.
• Apply again for future positions.

Also Read: how to find and qualify for scholarships

Aim for entry-level jobs.

Entry-level positions are the first jobs on a career path.  Unlike more senior positions, entry-level jobs do not require applicants to have years of professional experience.  As a result, narrowing your search to entry-level positions increases your chances of landing a job that could lead to something bigger. 

There are several ways to look for entry-level jobs online: 

Go to a job board and type in “entry-level [job title].” For example, someone looking for an entry-level marketing position might search “entry-level marketing” on LinkedIn. 

Search a job listing site for the title of a specific, entry-level position in a field that interests you. 

Develop your skills by interning, volunteering, or doing it yourself

 

If you’re having trouble identifying relevant skills that will help you land your dream job, consider interning or volunteering at an organization that can provide the necessary experience. 

Internships and volunteer opportunities allow you to become acquainted with the field and understand day-to-day tasks while adding relevant experience to your resume.

For example, a project manager seeking work might volunteer at a charity that organizes citywide cleanup efforts to gain experience working on large-scale projects.  Meanwhile, an aspiring social media manager may intern with a start-up’s marketing manager to gain hands-on experience managing a company’s social media accounts.

You can take control of the situation by creating a portfolio that showcases your skills.  This is a good way to demonstrate your abilities to potential employers through real-world examples. 

Also read: 15 tips on how to be an A student in school

Take classes to learn in-demand skills

Educational courses, obtaining a professional certificate, or pursuing a degree are other ways to improve your skills and qualifications. 

Numerous options are available today to further develop your skill set.  While community colleges offer low-cost courses and associate degree programs, four-year colleges allow students to study a subject in depth and earn a bachelor’s degree.  On the other hand, professional certificates train people in a specific skill set, such as cybersecurity. 

Many universities and organizations also provide online education.  Coursera, for example, has collaborated with more than 170 leading organizations and universities to offer over 7,000 world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs.  Such world-class universities even offer online degrees. You can start on Udemy or Udacity

Increase the size of your network.

“It’s not what you know, but who you know,” as the saying goes.  It’s unfortunate, but it’s true.  Put yourself out there and meet people at various levels and positions in the industry you’re interested in.  This is significant because some open positions are not advertised at all.

“According to (LinkedIn), 85% of jobs are not posted online at all—these positions are filled via networking and internal referrals.” – Glassdoor.

Your connections can also introduce you to potential employers and provide you with insider information to give you an advantage.

Building relationships with business owners is another advantage of Acadium apprenticeships.  Mentors have been where you are now and can advise you on what to do.  They can also connect you to their network, which may lead to future opportunities.

The above steps are more proactive than submitting resumes to numerous job boards.  Each project you complete will introduce you to new people, hone your skills, teach you new ones, and propel you forward so you don’t get bogged down in online searching.

Tell your story and demonstrate your drive through your experiences.

If you’ve already done everything listed, chances are you have an interesting story to tell.  These things require time and effort.  Showing recruiters that you were excited and motivated to work on yourself and your network while looking for a job will always be more interesting than a list of skills on a resume.  People will question you to see if you’re the right person, and your experiences will provide you with many examples to draw from.