Guidance for Entry-Level Job Seekers Lacking Formal Experience
This post delves into the hurdles of entering the workforce without much formal experience, a common challenge for young adults. The focus is on landing that first job.
Key Qualifications (to highlight for entry-level positions):
- A strong work ethic (shown through good grades and dedication to studies).
- Eagerness to learn and adapt.
- Adaptability and flexibility.
- Solid communication and interpersonal skills.
- Reliability and punctuality.
- Problem-solving abilities (even from academic experiences).
- (If applicable from hobbies or studies: basic computer literacy, specific software exposure).
Potential Job Opportunities (Entry-Level):
- Retail associate (cashier, stocker, sales).
- Food service crew member (server, host, barista, kitchen help).
- Customer service representative (call center, front desk).
- Administrative assistant/Office helper (data entry, receptionist).
- General labor or warehouse assistant.
- Apprenticeships or trainee positions in trades or specific industries (if available and interests align).
Resume Tips:
- Emphasize transferable skills gained from academic achievements (e.g., diligence, research, time management, meeting deadlines as shown by good grades).
- Highlight soft skills: eagerness to learn, positive attitude, adaptability, reliability, and teamwork (if you have any group projects in your studies).
- Include any volunteer work, personal projects, or informal work (e.g., babysitting, helping neighbors) that demonstrate responsibility or relevant skills.
- Craft a compelling objective statement expressing your desire to secure an entry-level position to contribute and gain practical experience.
- Stress your availability and willingness to undergo training.
Expected Benefits:
- Successfully securing your first paid job.
- Gaining foundational work experience and understanding of professional environments.
- Developing practical job skills and a professional network.
- Building a solid resume and work history for future career advancement.
- Achieving financial independence and personal growth.
Origin Reddit Post
r/getemployed
How to get a job with no experience?
Posted by u/Fit-Violinist-9690•06/02/2025
I'm 20F wanting to get my first job. Never had a job during highschool as my parents wanted me to focus on my studies. Passed with good grades but chose not to go to college as we don't have
Top Comments
u/Current_Purpose_2408
You can reach out to Express employment professionals and I'll guide you if you're interested
u/SirNo4743
Yes, definitely!
u/DrewNumberTwo
The best case scenario is here is that your parents have good intentions and are trying to help you. But many people in your position have parents who are trying to control their lives, and d
u/BayArea_Fool
Volunteer work
u/David_Beroff
\> ...just me helping him out...
But that *is* work! (As are the household chores.) And a potential employer might see *more* validity in you working in many different roles for a small
u/David_Beroff
How *he* gets paid is not a concern to people who want to hire *you*, so don't even mention that part. You still have experience putting up drywall, or soliciting potential clients, or manag
u/Current_Purpose_2408
You can reach out to Express employment professionals and I'll guide you if you're interested
u/galegone
Assume your parents lost them and call the office? https://www.ssa.gov/number-card/replace-card
u/BayArea_Fool
Volunteer work
u/Possible-Sense2493
Hey 20M, I didn’t get a job until 19 and that’s cause of personal issues dealing with contact fits but nonetheless same experience but here’s my advice.
Just mass apply and call, look up com
u/[deleted]
[deleted]
u/Fit-Violinist-9690
he’s a contractor and everything is under the table work, not any actual business. but how would i be able to put household chores into a resume without making it look like i just lack experi
u/Fit-Violinist-9690
I’ve talked to my parents about ID, SSC, and all my sources of identification. They tell me they are working on getting it and don’t have it right now. Idk if it’s a control situation since m
u/David_Beroff
How *he* gets paid is not a concern to people who want to hire *you*, so don't even mention that part. You still have experience putting up drywall, or soliciting potential clients, or manag
u/digible_bigible
You work for free at entry level in a marketable field until you gain enough experience and someone is willing to pay you. Or you find a job taking care of seniors as a caregiver for pay - yo
u/SirEmotional1281
Start volunteering and doing online training for things. Like free certifications and add those to your resume. I added hubspot, tefl and open course certificates when I was first looking for
u/Fit-Violinist-9690
I’ve talked to my parents about ID, SSC, and all my sources of identification. They tell me they are working on getting it and don’t have it right now. Idk if it’s a control situation since m
u/Impossible_Ad_3146
To get a job you need to find experience first
u/hastogord1
Work with us.
https://www.letit.net/policies/referral-rewards
u/No-Drink8004
Why no drivers license ? Was it not required in high school ?
u/Candid_Gap8976
Hey I Noticed you're job hunting. I write affordable resumes that actually get callbacks. I would love to help you out and take a look at yours. If it helps, I offer fast and professional re
u/[deleted]
[deleted]
u/Fit-Violinist-9690
I think I gotta take the step of even working before I truly figure out what works.
u/RedditSucksMyBallls
You're a woman so apply for food service and you'll EASILY get a job
u/DrewNumberTwo
The best case scenario is here is that your parents have good intentions and are trying to help you. But many people in your position have parents who are trying to control their lives, and d
u/Waste_Pea2478
Same age as you and ngl you kinda have to lie. I put I worked fast food before on my resume. No one checks it
u/[deleted]
You first need an ID. You can go to the grocery store and fill out a form and ask one of the workers there what their requirements are. Typically, entry level jobs are retail, grocery, food s
u/bluebat-299
And what would those jobs be? You need to take in to account that they basically have nothing to their name and doesn't even know what they want to do with their life yet. Simply getting the
u/BadBalloons
Do they have your birth certificate, if not your social security card? It should be a matter of five minutes for them to go get it for you from wherever they keep their important documents. P
u/David_Beroff
\> ...just me helping him out...
But that *is* work! (As are the household chores.) And a potential employer might see *more* validity in you working in many different roles for a small
u/trinomac448
Better yet why not just create your own job? There's job shortages anyways however ICE is opening like crazy. Once you're own boss you don't have to depend on looking for someone who might
u/TheLocalShoppingTag
***remote
u/Fit-Violinist-9690
he’s a contractor and everything is under the table work, not any actual business. but how would i be able to put household chores into a resume without making it look like i just lack experi
u/trinomac448
Better yet why not just create your own job? There's job shortages anyways however ICE is opening like crazy. Once you're own boss you don't have to depend on looking for someone who might
u/digible_bigible
You work for free at entry level in a marketable field until you gain enough experience and someone is willing to pay you. Or you find a job taking care of seniors as a caregiver for pay - yo
u/Think-notlikedasheep
" I still don't know what I want to do in life"
This is priority one. Nothing else matters until you figure this out.
Check out your school's career office. I'm sure your old high schoo
u/Fit-Violinist-9690
I think I gotta take the step of even working before I truly figure out what works.
u/[deleted]
Please don't lie like this, these industries are insanely oversaturated with applications and all of them are purposefully running skeleton crews. These are NOT easy jobs to get anymore, you
u/SirNo4743
Do you have a certified copy of your birth certificate? It has to be official not a photocopy, that’s the big one to get for an ID or you could get a passport, but they’re more expensive. You
u/picturemeImperfect
Go to your local employment career office or public library they can help you get a ID, license, bank account, cellphone, resume, job help, career advancement, professional certifications, an
u/TheLocalShoppingTag
EQPD (I hope that acronym is right) is a remote tutoring company I used to work for. Not sure if/when they're hiring, but it's tutoring hs / middle school kids over zoom, so if you can yet yo
u/Impossible_Ad_3146
To get a job you need to get experience first
u/Fit-Violinist-9690
I’ve talked to my parents about ID, SSC, and all my sources of identification. They tell me they are working on getting it and don’t have it right now. Idk if it’s a control situation since m
u/Fit-Violinist-9690
he’s a contractor and everything is under the table work, not any actual business. but how would i be able to put household chores into a resume without making it look like i just lack experi
u/TheLocalShoppingTag
***remote
u/galegone
Assume your parents lost them and call the office? https://www.ssa.gov/number-card/replace-card
u/RedditSucksMyBallls
You're a woman so apply for food service and you'll EASILY get a job
u/digible_bigible
You work for free at entry level in a marketable field until you gain enough experience and someone is willing to pay you. Or you find a job taking care of seniors as a caregiver for pay - yo
u/David_Beroff
How *he* gets paid is not a concern to people who want to hire *you*, so don't even mention that part. You still have experience putting up drywall, or soliciting potential clients, or manag
u/Think-notlikedasheep
" I still don't know what I want to do in life"
This is priority one. Nothing else matters until you figure this out.
Check out your school's career office. I'm sure your old high schoo
u/[deleted]
[deleted]
u/Possible-Sense2493
Hey 20M, I didn’t get a job until 19 and that’s cause of personal issues dealing with contact fits but nonetheless same experience but here’s my advice.
Just mass apply and call, look up com
u/DrewNumberTwo
The best case scenario is here is that your parents have good intentions and are trying to help you. But many people in your position have parents who are trying to control their lives, and d
u/hastogord1
Work with us.
https://www.letit.net/policies/referral-rewards
u/underwaterhedgehog57
Work at a local grocery store and buy a bike
u/Waste_Pea2478
Same age as you and ngl you kinda have to lie. I put I worked fast food before on my resume. No one checks it
u/SirEmotional1281
Start volunteering and doing online training for things. Like free certifications and add those to your resume. I added hubspot, tefl and open course certificates when I was first looking for
u/[deleted]
Please don't lie like this, these industries are insanely oversaturated with applications and all of them are purposefully running skeleton crews. These are NOT easy jobs to get anymore, you
u/[deleted]
You first need an ID. You can go to the grocery store and fill out a form and ask one of the workers there what their requirements are. Typically, entry level jobs are retail, grocery, food s
u/David_Beroff
\> ...just me helping him out...
But that *is* work! (As are the household chores.) And a potential employer might see *more* validity in you working in many different roles for a small
u/SirEmotional1281
Start volunteering and doing online training for things. Like free certifications and add those to your resume. I added hubspot, tefl and open course certificates when I was first looking for
u/TheLocalShoppingTag
EQPD (I hope that acronym is right) is a remote tutoring company I used to work for. Not sure if/when they're hiring, but it's tutoring hs / middle school kids over zoom, so if you can yet yo
u/Expensive-Pop8261
There’s a really great book on Amazon you should get called “Can’t I Just Stay in My Room?” by an author named Jennifer Larsen. It’s something like $12, or $4 for the Kindle version. It hel
u/Current_Purpose_2408
You can reach out to Express employment professionals and I'll guide you if you're interested
u/[deleted]
You first need an ID. You can go to the grocery store and fill out a form and ask one of the workers there what their requirements are. Typically, entry level jobs are retail, grocery, food s
u/Possible-Sense2493
Hey 20M, I didn’t get a job until 19 and that’s cause of personal issues dealing with contact fits but nonetheless same experience but here’s my advice.
Just mass apply and call, look up com
u/Think-notlikedasheep
" I still don't know what I want to do in life"
This is priority one. Nothing else matters until you figure this out.
Check out your school's career office. I'm sure your old high schoo
u/galegone
Assume your parents lost them and call the office? https://www.ssa.gov/number-card/replace-card