How to gain work experience when nobody will hire you

[Wino]

Nothing has changed since I was looking for my first job. The way to get experience is to take a job:

1. where someone with experience doesn't want it
2. for less money than someone with experience would want
3. doing something that someone with experience would not want to do
4. any combination of the above

After you have 2 to 5 years of experience, you can then start to pick and choose, where, for how much, and what you'll do. The main thing with your first job is to work in the field you plan to continue in.

One last tip is to come to the interview as if you're serious about the job. If you show up in a nice business outfit, you'll be looked at more favorably than the person who shows up in a T-shirt. I interview people quite a bit (who you hire is the key to your own success when you become a manager or above, so that's where much of your effort has to be directed), and you'd be surprised how unprepared some people are when interviewing for a job. Apparently, I'm supposed to see beyond their slovenly dress, lack of documentation/paperwork, and ne'er-may-care attitude to their "inner selves" or something.

[bjl584]

I was recently promoted into management at my full time job. I used my experience in retail to get the job. It was years ago, the pay wasn't good, but I was a department supervisor at a department store. Experience is experience. Starting at the bottom and working your way up is the best advice I can give.

[annibe11e]

I broke into Accounting as a temp while I was in school. I don't know that that always works for other professions. What about overseas with Doctors Without Borders? They are always recruiting.

[Amanda695]

As a person who graduated high school 6 months ago and has LITERALLY applied to every place in my area, I definitely need help with this. They all want experience, but it's kind of hard when you've never had a job.

[krantcents]

Normally, you can volunteer in the industry you are interested in. They call it an unpaid internship. She could volunteer at her doctor's office as an unpaid intern.