How to get your first job with no experience

Everyone starts with no experience. Employers hiring for entry-level jobs mostly want to know you'll show up, learn fast and be decent to customers. Your job is to prove that on one page and in one conversation.

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Your first 3 steps

1
Write a one-page resume with school, any volunteering, and 3 things you're good at
30 min · Done when: A one-page resume saved as a PDF
School projects, sports, babysitting and volunteering all count as experience for a first job.
2
Pick 10 places within 30 minutes of home that hire entry-level
15 min · Done when: A list of 10 employers
Close to home means you'll be on time, and local managers often hire people who walk in.
3
Apply to 3 of them today
30 min · Done when: 3 applications submitted
Hiring is a numbers game at first. Applying to a few every day beats one perfect application a week.

Pursivon reminds you each morning and builds the rest of your plan.

Your first 4 weeks

Week 1
Finish your resume and apply to your first 5-10 jobs.
Week 2
Follow up in person or by phone on the ones you applied to. Ask for the manager.
Week 3
Practice answers to "Tell me about yourself" and "Why do you want to work here?" out loud.
Week 4
Keep applying to 3 a day until you have an offer. Say yes to interviews even if the job isn't perfect.

Mistakes that stop most people

Applying to only one or two jobs and waiting.
Leaving your availability vague. Clear, flexible hours get you hired faster.
Not following up. A short call or visit makes you stand out from everyone who just clicked apply.

Common questions

What do I put on a resume with no experience?

School, relevant classes, volunteering, sports, clubs, babysitting or helping a family business, plus skills like reliability, languages or tools you know.

Which jobs hire with no experience?

Restaurants, retail, grocery stores, warehouses, movie theaters, camps and many seasonal jobs regularly hire first-timers.

How should I dress for the interview?

One step nicer than the people who work there. Clean and neat matters more than expensive.

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