Twannetta's Corner: How Do I Get a Job Interview Without Experience or Degree?

If you have ever wondered, “How do I get a job interview without experience or a degree?” You are not alone. Thanks to a surge in skills-based hiring among many large employers in the US, there is hope. Jobseekers are steadily experiencing a more level playing field with landing professional career paths than in the past when a college degree was required to snag a well-paying job. However, if you find yourself in a situation where your skills are limited in the industry you are interested in pursuing you will need to be very strategic about what steps you take to land the job you desire.

We are going to discuss some actions that I took that will also work for you to improve your odds of landing an interview and successfully gaining employment in your dream job, even if you do not initially have the experience recruiters want. Keep in mind that some career paths do require certain certifications that cannot be excluded. With this in mind, we will focus on suggestions for jobs that do not require specific certifications. Nevertheless, you are always encouraged to go the extra mile and obtain any certifications that will further improve your chances of landing the ideal career for you.

Resume Basics - Take a Skills Inventory

Understanding what skills you already possess will help you figure out what skills may be missing from your resume. Many of our skills are transferable! If you receive feedback regularly that you are a great communicator, consider what aspects of communication come easy to you. Could it be that you take thorough notes during meetings that you usually share with your coworkers? Do you have a knack for de-escalating difficult customer conversations? Do you find that you easily hold yourself and those around you accountable for completing tasks? Chances are you possess great writing skills, negotiation skills, leadership, and organization skills, all critical skills that can apply to an array of great jobs. Furthermore, if you tend to be a problem solver, you may be great at learning new software, embracing change management, or implementing new technologies within a team setting. During your next resume update consider how you can leverage those skills and ensure you add them to showcase your strengths.

Tailoring Your Job Search and Resume - Investigate What Skills are Needed for the Job You Want

While investigating the skills necessary for the job you want goes without saying, consider what skills you have that are transferable and then use them for the job you want. For example, let’s say a company you are interested in joining is hiring a technical sales associate. The technical sales associate is responsible for educating customers on various products to help them with at home and office technology needs. The job description indicates the employer wants to hire someone who has face-to-face customer service and sales experience, has an aptitude for troubleshooting electronics, has experience handling digital equipment, and has worked with a CRM in the past. At this stage, you will need to tailor your resume to reflect your previous work history and to align experiences that you have in common or skills that are similar. Perhaps you have not worked in a CRM, but you do have experience tracking data in Excel or Google Sheets. Perhaps you do not have face-to-face customer service experience; however, you do talk to many customers daily via phone or chat and you are comfortable addressing complicated issues until resolved.

Prepare to Conquer the Interview – Confidence Goes a Long Way

At this point, you are prepared to interview with confidence. Be sure you get a good night’s rest before the interview. Because panel interviews are quite common, be sure to take plenty of resume copies with you so that there are enough to pass around to other interviewers, if needed. In the event you must interview in person, map out the location of the interview and arrive at least 15 – 20 minutes early. If you interview remotely, ensure you are in a quiet place free from distractions and that you have taken the time to familiarize yourself with whatever teleconferencing software will be used like Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Take the time to prepare some questions that you will ask the interviewer when it is your turn to do so. Questions that show an interest in the company, what their long-term goals are, and how your role supports those goals are always great questions to be prepared to ask.
After the interview, keep going!

You will stand out as a potential candidate of interest by simply following up and keeping the lines of communication open. You would be surprised how many candidates never follow up after an initial interview. Sending a short thank you email to show appreciation will leave a lasting impression on the interviewer. Your job search does not stop there – keep going. Attending open houses and job fairs are also great ways to build your pipeline of opportunities. When connecting with others with similar interests, bring positivity and a great attitude. If you are lucky to connect with someone who has a job you want, take risks and ask questions about how they landed the job they have, what are some suggestions they could offer to you, and what areas to keep in mind.

Get Involved in Community Programming and Professional Organizations

Getting involved in your local community organizations cannot be overstated. When I decided I wanted to land roles supporting marketing to showcase my skills I joined local communications and marketing clubs. I sought out internships within the community and nonprofits for a low-stakes way to practice my craft while giving back to a nonprofit that really needed the extra help. Contacting your local chamber of commerce is a great way to learn about employers in the area and potential recommendations of companies who are actively looking for talent.

Tying it all Together

Going after a new opportunity is well worth the effort. Even if you do not have the experience initially for the new job you want, take heart that with some preparation, research, and initiative you have a great chance of landing that new career. Be strategic, and tailor your resume as often as you need to thoroughly prepare for every job you apply for and interview. The most important point of all is do not give up! Need some help with your job search? Interested in career counseling opportunities? Check out SkillUp for curated job resources and career support.