No Experience? No Problem!

 1. Get Credentials

In other words, get involved with the area you want to go in, through taking long/short courses or even volunteering! Anything that can provide evidence that you are serious about the position you wish to apply before, getting paid for the real deal.

2. Get Creative

Its been said before, but it plays a massive role in setting you apart from others. For example, if you wanted to get into marketing and sales you could set up a channel on Ebay where ,you demonstrate how you used making skills to increase sales. Or if you wanted to work in hair and beauty, set up a Youtube channel and do regular posts on tutorials and even get your friends and family to get their hair and make-up done! Do something that makes you memorable (good of course!).

3. Be willing to start from the bottom

If you’re a graduate or recently have graduated, it’s easy to feel that after spending so much time studying, its only right not need to start at the bottom. However frustrating it may be, an opportunity is better than no opportunity. It is important to keep an open mind.

4. Barter

There may be many of you yet to get experience in your chosen field. Not to worry! Time will be (or is) your biggest asset. During the summer, I was offered an opportunity to work with a marketing executive in a local business. It was not because I had an amazing list of past experiences but, I had the time to work. As a result, I was able to progress enough that I was offered to manage a project within two weeks.

5. Re image your experience

In many instances many jobs or work experience opportunities positions are written in such a way many people can be put off because you don’t have the right experience. The article suggests you think about your experiences a little differently. For each of your experience think about exactly what you did, preferably with someone else list and them using key words that they’d like to see. For example, if you have led a meeting or project, use words such as:

• Chaired
• Organised
• Planned
• Coordinated

Or if you achieved something:

• Awarded
• Targeted
• Exceeded
• Outperformed

For more verbs to spice up your cv or cover letter check out 185 Powerful Verbs That Will Make Your Resume Awesome To read the full article click on the link: How to Get the Job When You Don’t Have the Experience.

How’s this for a Resume?

9 Steps to Creating an Action Plan

Sometimes when I get lost in what I want to do, creating an action plan puts things into perspective. It gives an indication of how much that needs to be done, who may need to help and how long it will take to get it done.

I found this Action Coach: Business Coach where they suggests there 9 steps to this planning process.

 

1. Write solutions as goals

Ask your

 

2. Write actions needed for each goal

 

3. Create a timeline

 

4. Allocate resources

 

5. What problems will you face?

 

6. Find a way of keeping track of the progress

 

7.  Assign tasks

 

8. Estimate costs

 

9. Put it all into action

Top 3 Important People to Stay in Touch with

After being involved and working with some people with there some who you need to stay in touch with. Someone could help you in the future.

In this article I came across a couple of weeks ago by The Muse:  The 3 Most Important People to Stay in Touch With (and How to Do It) suggests there three key people you should stay in touch with:

 Someone Who… Pushed You to Do Your Best

It’s easier to stay in touch with people you got along with however, those who push us tend to think we can do better.
Not only do they think you can do better but they see the potential.

Best time to contact:  It would only make sense to contact them when you’re ‘killing it’ (as they’ve described it). Mention your accomplishments and thank them for their support and ask for advice to how you could continue to grow.

 Someone Who… Put in a Good Word

This person (people) obviously saw that you are of value.

But hold up.   There is a difference between asking for a glowing reference and someone going ou of their way to do it for you. The second will be the one to help you think up the sort of people you need if you’re starting afresh.

Best time to contact: When you’re in ‘transition’.  Tell them what want to do and ask if there is any contact that would advice you further.

 Someone Who… was the Best Assistant or Intern

Yes! You should connect with all no matter what direction. As a former supervisor, make the first move and contact them via email or Facebook to check on how their new job is going.

Best time to contact: Only once you are a former supervisor otherwise.

In expanding your network, you need to reach out in different ways with different people.

A word of warning:

Make sure you don’t over use the same contact, which is important to know which contacts to turn to.