Job Search Without Experience

[bladefd]

So I recently graduated w/ Bachelors in IT with zero work experience.

I got a couple interview offers, but I quickly realized they require experience, which I lack. I guess they look at my resume, and become more & more impressed as they look down my resume.. graduated with high honors, marketable skills like programming in Java & python, some web-design, flash, html and they see my relevant projects for marketing/networking/different analyses for classes, etc.

Then they don't see an experience sub-heading. They start thinking "He must have forgotten or it didn't print properly." So they just ignore it or still contact me about them looking for job candidates to interview & they want to meet with me. Then I have to tell them I have no experience at all, and I sound like a foolish bumbling idiot. :facepalm

1) Would running a blog be considered experience? I been consistently blogging since September about everything from technology, science, and philosophy. Very easy to see my communication skills & analytic side.
2) I am in no position to get a job or internship out-of-state due to my doctors being here (I have some medical issues). I cannot push myself with too much physical stress
3) I am getting complacent at home with job search as I am losing motivation. Most of the jobs require at least 1yr of experience

Only now am I realizing how much experience matters and LOCATION matters (argh, Central New Jersey!). If only I was closer to NYC (private firms) or Washington DC (federal jobs).

Any tips or things that could count as experience?

[DukeDelonte13]

can you do some programming projects on your own?


Also try to do some shadowing? Find some IT admin and ask to shadow him for a few days. Build up a good rapport. See if you can turn the shadowing into a regular thing where you can come in and do some of the work load.

Sometimes you have to intern for free and get paid in experience.


Also tons of places will probably take you on as an unpaid intern that simply don't advertise. Some emails and cold calling never hurts.

[Jailblazers7]

The experience requirement on most jobs is just a guideline. I've interview for jobs with multiple years above my experience level and they went fine. You just have to highlight how your skills and past experiences/projects have prepared you for the job and how you have the talents to succeed.

[embersyc]

Form an LLC
Work on your own projects.
Now you have work experience.

[outbreak]

Find a job that is in some way related to I.T even if it's working retail in a computer store. Just anything that says you've worked in the field or even try and volunteer to help in the field. Is there any schools near you? Maybe send them your resume or try and talk to their I.T team and ask if they have any projects and need an extra set of hands for free for a week and then also try and get them to be a reference on your resume.

I work in I.T as well and actual hands on experience really comes above qualifications in this field.

[AI Thornton]

Did threats not work?

[qrich]

You were manager at Circuit City, Blockbuster or Hollywood Video before they closed :D

[DeuceWallaces]

Maybe you should apply for an appropriate job. You're entry level. You're applying to jobs that are not entry level.

Seems like a pretty simple problem.

[Myth]

2) I am in no position to get a job or internship out-of-state due to my doctors being here (I have some medical issues). I cannot push myself with too much physical stress

Out of curiosity, what health issues make it so you can't go out of state? For most issues you can transfer doctors/hospitals. I've had to do this myself immediately following a kidney transplant.

[outbreak]

Maybe you should apply for an appropriate job. You're entry level. You're applying to jobs that are not entry level.

Seems like a pretty simple problem.

May not be the case, I know when I finished my course even entry level I.T jobs were looking for 1-2 years of experience.

[KevinNYC]

You might want to find some local vendors and build them a new website.

[bladefd]

Form an LLC
Work on your own projects.
Now you have work experience.

Yes, I am working on that. Already working on getting a professional blog up this week with couple family members that are engineer/scientists focused only on technology and we are going to put some projects up.

Instead of getting a minimum-wage job or non-paying internship just for experience, I can bring it to the next level with this professional blog and starting own company at least w/ people I know. I do have the skillset, knowledge, analytic side, and good communication skills. I don't need to rely on anybody when I have my own company.

This probably sounds too big & extremely ambitious (bit like Sagan saying 'to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent an universe' haha), but that is just who I am.

So to start a company.. I know blog alone won't make much money, but other projects will. I just don't know how to sell ideas.. At the moment, I am taking some online courses to learn android programming. any other suggestions?

[DukeDelonte13]

Yes, I am working on that. Already working on getting a professional blog up this week with couple family members that are engineer/scientists focused only on technology and we are going to put some projects up.

Instead of getting a minimum-wage job or non-paying internship just for experience, I can bring it to the next level with this professional blog and starting own company at least w/ people I know. I do have the skillset, knowledge, analytic side, and good communication skills. I don't need to rely on anybody when I have my own company.

This probably sounds too big & extremely ambitious (bit like Sagan saying 'to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent an universe' haha), but that is just who I am.

So to start a company.. I know blog alone won't make much money, but other projects will. I just don't know how to sell ideas.. At the moment, I am taking some online courses to learn android programming. any other suggestions?


You might be right, you may be "above" a minimum wage or free paying internship. But if you are trying to land a decent job you got to start from somewhere. Don't ever be too proud to do something you may think is below you. It's 100x better to rack up experience than be unemployed.

[Cangri]

You might be right, you may be "above" a minimum wage or free paying internship. But if you are trying to land a decent job you got to start from somewhere. Don't ever be too proud to do something you may think is below you. It's 100x better to rack up experience than be unemployed.
This, for my first job I agreed to work for $9.50 but only because I didn't have any experience(had the knowledge though). Then after 6 months I started applying to other jobs until I found a better one.
Also, you should keep in mind that a lot of companies might ask for higher qualifications then what you currently have, but you should still apply for those, you can still land a job.

[Cali Syndicate]

Get a tech support job with a good company, then work your way to the IT department. i know some peeps that did that for netflix. Probably wont get the job you "want" without experience. eEntry level type position then looking for an internal hire is your best bet.

[DeuceWallaces]

May not be the case, I know when I finished my course even entry level I.T jobs were looking for 1-2 years of experience.

Well then that's not an entry level job.

[bladefd]

Well then that's not an entry level job.

I am searching for jobs that require zero job experience, and that is not as easy to find as you say. I looked on monster, google and few other job search sites. I also signed up with a state government agency that help with finding jobs, but ofc I cannot rely on them. Mainly up to me to look - they are career advisers (mostly psychology degree i guess?).

Any chance of IT telecommuting jobs even? I know those can be across the country or different country altogether. I dunno if those exist at entry level.. :confusedshrug:

[Cowboy Thunder]

You can list chores that your parents made you do as experience:

14 years of Yard Maintenance
6 years Babysitting
12 years Custodial Engineering


It's what the kids who never worked in high school do. Employers appreciate it.

[sundizz]

If you really want a job you have to network a little bit to get it.

Your location does suck. You have to just take what you can get. In the meantime, you should be doing some sort of volunteering in your field so that you have experience AND more importantly, so you start building a professional network. Why should companies waste time on you? You are an unproven commodity. Also, I don't get why you didn't use the career people at your skoo - they are usually on point with trying to do on campus interviews, etc.

Anyways, all you need is a push in the right direction. You sound smart - you'll get going.

Here you go my ISH homeslice:

http://www.idealist.org/view/volop/345z5PZ8jB4w4/

http://www.idealist.org/view/volop/wmTn8cKPz3xd/

http://www.idealist.org/view/volop/J428gnt7WxNp/

http://www.idealist.org/view/internship/F4fd8SfCmPFP/

http://www.idealist.org/view/job/K87wPHKnGSXd/

The last position you are likely not qualified for, but it is for a school. They are always looking for free help and people (especially young recent grads) to help them and their students out. A message explaining your situation and desire to assist whoever they hire, or in another way, etc would only help your situation. Additionally, they may know of another school, or company that is looking for someone entry level and pass along your info. Make connections you ISHster.

[Dresta]

I lied about experience to get my first job. You need experience for almost every job these days (or, at least, you did in the UK). You would struggle to even get temp work without having some sort of job experience on your cv.

Just the inevitable consequence of having a high minimum wage: no one is going to pay $10 an hour to a guy who's never worked before, so instead of working for a small stipend, you have to work for free, or lie/ make up fake references.

[nathanjizzle]

you lack a go getter attitude thats for sure. some of these companies wont care if you dont have experience, they just want a young motivated persons to come work for them, the problem is your too busy being scared to be motivated. dwell in your moms basement until you gain the confidence to come out into the realworld with a set of skills you can be proud of mommas boy.

[tontoz]

You graduated from college without ever having a summer or part time job?

[IGOTGAME]

Maybe you should apply for an appropriate job. You're entry level. You're applying to jobs that are not entry level.

Seems like a pretty simple problem.

lol. seems you haven't been in the private sector in some time.

OP...save up and move to NYC or the surrounding areas and take whatever you can, even shit contract work to build a resume. Central Jersey is a tough market bc there is nothing there.

[I<3NBA]

Just lie about it. invent some previous job that's hard to cross-check.

i've had a lot of experience with job interviews and i've found out that lying will get you hired more than anything. just give them what they want to hear.

[riseagainst]

Well then that's not an entry level job.

so ignorant.