When you are new to job-searching and looking at getting an entry level job, it can be a little overwhelming to say the least. Although there are so many possibilities when you are just starting out, you still want to find a position that is the right match for you and will start your career off on the right foot.
You may think that not having experience will hinder your job search, but be optimistic! Here are a few of the benefits of not having any job experience yet.
1. You Don’t Have The Wrong Type of Job History
If you have had extensive experience before, some of your experience and skills may not at all relate to the position that you want. When you turn in a resume, you’re supposed to be providing the employer with a brief overview of your work history. (Here are some best practices) However, when you have random experience, the interviewer may think that you jump from job to job in random industries, without a consistent path.
Having to include completely unrelated jobs might show that you are not the best at decision-making and prioritization. When you are new to the job market and looking for an entry level position, this problem does not exist since you don’t have much (if any) job history yet.
2. You Don’t Have to Explain Job Gaps
Many people had unrelated jobs when first entering the workforce, or they were fired and had to scramble to get another job. If you have gap years on your resume, the employer will likely ask you about them (here’s other questions you definitely will be asked), without experience, there is nothing to ask about. Otherwise, you might have to get into an unpleasant story about your first job and why you were fired from it and had trouble with management (a MAJOR warning sign to employers).
3. You Aren’t Overqualified for The Job
If you had a higher position at another company and were making a lot of money (even in the same type of job), a potential employer may see you as someone who is qualified, but will cost too much and demand too many raises. When you go to apply for another job, you might actually be “overqualified” for it.
When you don’t have experience yet, they see it as easier to take a chance on you because you probably won’t demand as high of a salary and extensive benefits at first. This way they can see how it works out, and then possibly offer those things after you prove your value and establish yourself at the company.
4. The Positions Are Not Already Filled
When you go through different companies and job postings online, you will find that many of the listings are for entry level positions. The people who once held those positions have already started to move up through the company.
If you have more experience and are looking for a “Director of Human Resources” position, if it is already filled, you chances of getting it decrease dramatically. On the other hand, if you are looking for an entry level human resources position, there are more than likely some that may be opened now, or will be vacated at a predictable time in the future as promotions happen.
For example, I have a friend of mine at a company that was considering a merger. Some positions only have room for one, and a whole set of c-level and executive staff would have been let go if the merger happened. For example, there is normally only room for one CEO and one CFO for a small-medium sized company, or else hierarchy and decision making may be compromised.
5. You Don’t Have any Controversial Jobs in Your Past
You should always be very careful about listing any controversial jobs on your resume, but without much experience, you are unlikely to have them. These can really range depending upon the nature of your work. For example, you might be wary about putting the name of a direct competitor on your resume if you performed work there for only a short period of time.
Remember, the employer is likely taking in a lot of resumes. Interviewers want to narrow down the pool as much as possible before they bring people in, so seeing just one thing they don’t like might be enough to change their minds.
6. You Don’t Cost Too Much
In this post-recession economy, employers are still looking to cut cost and get the most value per dollar from their employees. Those with less experience tend to not require as much of a salary and look more favorable to employers, especially in positions that do not require a tremendous amount of specific experience.