How to Hide Lack of Work Experience
- 1). Describe community and civic volunteer activities on your resume, especially if you donated your talents in your job search areas. Assume you're looking for your first job as a website developer but you don't have a track record that includes paid work experience or a professional background in the field. Construct a portfolio from your completed projects, list the names of organizations that you volunteered for and describe the specific tasks and duties on your resume.
Don't overlook work experience just because you didn't receive compensation. Your skills, talent and expertise are the same, regardless of whether you earned money for time spent. During your interview, present your volunteer experience just as you would any other work experience. - 2). Focus on functional knowledge, core competencies and professional characteristics. These are qualifications and attributes employers seek in job candidates. If you have training and practical experience -- such as an internship -- in your field, list that as your functional knowledge. Core competencies are qualifications that apply to paid and volunteer work, as well as interpersonal relationships. Describe your verbal and written communication skills, your ability to negotiate with others and resolve conflict, and your experience in developing productive relationships. Give examples of professional characteristics such as personal and professional ethics, integrity and fairness.
- 3). Be candid about your lack of work experience. Meanwhile, articulate a sincere interest in joining the employer's workforce. Give the interviewer specific examples of your capabilities and ask for the opportunity to demonstrate your skills. Describe your ability to learn new concepts quickly or grasp work processes with ease. Instead of hiding your lack of work experience, capitalize on it. Explain that you are trainable and are, therefore, capable of learning the company's way of doing business. Compare your lack of work experience to a blank canvas for the employer to use in developing an enthusiastic, motivated worker into the type of employee who will be an asset to the company.
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