Finished college with degree but no work experience

LegacyUser

Hi,

I finished college in May but have no work experience. I got a 1:1 in a business field but my latest work experience was before I started college working in a bar for two Summer, other than that I have nothing.

Is there any general info re job searches? Im realistic in that I know it would be entry level that Im looking at but everyone around me seems to have a degree AND work experience. I havent heard back from anything Ive applied to so for and am starting to feel a bit helpless and doomed. Im wondering has anyone been in the same position as myself and what they did?

Thank you!

OMM 0000

Are you writing a unique cover letter for each job application?

Have one of your friends reviewed your CV for spelling, grammar and layout mistakes?

Have you searched for jobs on job websites with the word graduate or junior in them?

beauf

GradExp123 wrote: »

...Im wondering has anyone been in the same position as myself and what they did?...

Pretty much everyone has been in the same position. Its normal.

OMM 0000

beauf wrote: »

Pretty much everyone has been in the same position. Its normal.

😂

Noo

I worked for free on an jobbridge internship for 9 months then emigrated, along with half my graduating class. That was over 6 years ago. Maybe its easier nowadays for graduates.

beauf

GradExp123 wrote: »

...I finished college in May but have no work experience. I got a 1:1 in a business field but my latest work experience was before I started college working in a bar for two Summer, other than that I have nothing....

Find someone you know how has a business or a local business and offer them to do some analysis or similar for free. See if you can apply any of your college methodologies to what they do. Might give them some insights.

I know some people who did this. They basically did a free scoping and business analysis for people, then did a presentation to them. In one guys case it got him a new job within the company as he did it on a different part of the business than he was in. He did it as part of his MBA.

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This post has been deleted.

JustJoe7240

GradExp123 wrote: »

Hi,

I finished college in May but have no work experience. I got a 1:1 in a business field but my latest work experience was before I started college working in a bar for two Summer, other than that I have nothing.

Is there any general info re job searches? Im realistic in that I know it would be entry level that Im looking at but everyone around me seems to have a degree AND work experience. I havent heard back from anything Ive applied to so for and am starting to feel a bit helpless and doomed. Im wondering has anyone been in the same position as myself and what they did?

Thank you!

Have you applied for many graduate programmes?

the whole year inn

I was in the same position posting here about a year ago.I did secure work but it alot of rejection and a bit of luck .All ya can do is keep applying.
Do you use linkedin or do you search there for jobs?

LegacyUser

There will always be career challenges, so don't let your current challenges get to you too much.

You will be fine, most likely you will need to get some experience now. Figure out what you want and work towards it, you're much more appealing to employers if you've improved your knowledge/interest in their area rather than just being a graduate who isn't sure what they want.

Read books on how to transition from being a student to a professional, get business cards, use LinkdIn, meet new connections at events, learn how to present your and build rapport - if someone likes you they will be more willing to give you a chance when you don't have experience.

If you can get any kind of experience, you will also get a reference from that and something for the CV/to talk about in an interview and this can even be something part time like volunteering at a credit union!

ted1

GradExp123 wrote: »

Hi,

I finished college in May but have no work experience. I got a 1:1 in a business field but my latest work experience was before I started college working in a bar for two Summer, other than that I have nothing.

Is there any general info re job searches? Im realistic in that I know it would be entry level that Im looking at but everyone around me seems to have a degree AND work experience. I havent heard back from anything Ive applied to so for and am starting to feel a bit helpless and doomed. Im wondering has anyone been in the same position as myself and what they did?

Thank you!

Have you applied for any grad programs?

Victor

Get any experience you can. Talk to anyone you know who runs a business or knows someone who runs a business.

Retail - shop or restaurant - would likely be the best match, as you see what happens in business on a day to day basis.

AtticusFinch86

I wouldn't worry about the lack of work experience. Some employers will look for it of course, but for entry level/trainee positions, your 1:1 will stand to you.

If you're applying to plenty of these positions and not getting interviews, despite the 1:1, I'd start looking at your cover letter and CV. Clearly there must be an issue there. Are you tailoring both to the position you are applying to?

If you're getting interviews but not getting job offers then it's your interview technique that's the issue

Deviso

I got a job in May as a software developer. I was out of college 3 weeks, had no experience, and it was a simple process.

You'll get something, keep applying, and best of luck.

B.A._Baracus

Sell yourself more on your cv and or embellish your cv.
Says the man that's learned that the hard way... How you want to sell yourself or embellish? Well that's up to you ... you know better than most.

Ie, you wouldn't ask a florist to embellish the cv of a person with a law degree. Nor would you ask the person with a law degree to embellish a florists cv.

nibtrix

Doesn’t your college have a careers service? Many of them will help you out for a year or two after graduation

daheff

also send your cv to every single recruitment agent you can find.


Job hunting can be a numbers game. Apply for any jobs looking for years experience. Dont be picky on any job offer. Better to take one & leave for something else a month later than have no job.