When you're fresh out of school, you might have an impressive degree that lacks experience. This, in turn, fails to impress employers who are looking for seasoned employees to join their teams. If you lack experience, you need to restructure your resume so you're noticed for your academia and skills, not the jobs that you've held in the past. Once you snag the interview, a polished and professional appearance can go a long way in convincing an employer to give you a chance.
Step 1
Structure your resume around your skills and education without focusing on your past work experience, suggests psychologist Lynn Friedman in "The Washington Post." You can add your skills and education to the resume so that they come before any relevant work experience and make a larger impact. When asked about your limited work experience, speak instead of the skills you learned in school or in unrelated jobs.
Step 2
Volunteer in and around your community to build up your resume and make you a more attractive job candidate, says career Web site Monster.com. When you have little job experience, a potential employer is taking a risk by hiring you. Choosing volunteer work in a related field proves that you have a passion for the work and the process, which will make you a better fit for the job. For instance, if you want a job in the medical community, volunteer at a local hospital, nursing home or doctor's office.
Step 3
Create a portfolio of your work, especially if you're seeking work in a creative field. For example, while you may not have experience with an architecture firm, you may be able to create building plans and 3-D models that speak to your skill and attention to detail. Online portfolio services, like Carbon Made and FigDig, allow you to upload pictures to a dedicated website that you can offer to potential employers.
Step 4
Suggest solutions to a potential employer of how to make the business more efficient and successful. When you've snagged an interview, research the company and how it operates, suggests Boston.com. When you visit for your interview, place the spotlight on yourself and your ideas for the company, rather than relying on your resume to secure you the job. If necessary, create an "impact letter" that tells a potential employer what you can do for her with your skills and talent on hand.
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