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As a Job Readiness Trainer, often I begin workshops by asking participants what is the biggest barrier in their job search. I’ll get the occasional “my resume”, or “my interviewing skills”, but the most common, recurring answer is: “I don’t have experience, so no one will hire me”. What people don’t realize is it’s impossible to create an effective resume or have a strong interview if they don’t believe they’re worth hiring.

Most recently this comment came up while facilitating the IT Career Lab Capstone Job Readiness Training workshop, where many participants were transitioning into information technology from other fields. Sure, it helps to have experience in the industry to get the highest wage and a powerhouse title, but getting your foot in the door is a matter of communication and selling yourself with transferable skills.

Here are a few rules of success for your job search…

CONFIDENCE

Think about this – would you hire a dentist to extract a tooth if upon consultation he/she looked at the floor and said in a monotone voice “I think I can do a good job – I’m great”? Of course not! The same goes for an employer looking for a new addition to their team. Eye contact, vocal elements, and the words you deliver to describe yourself to an employer speak volumes. Yes, looking someone in the eye can be intimidating, but avoiding eye contact signifies disinterest. Using strong adjectives to describe yourself is a spectacular way to change up conversation and draw positive attention to yourself. (See how I used the word “spectacular” instead of “good”, or “nice”?) How you say things is also crucial.

KNOW YOUR SUCCESSES

It’s the age-old interview question we love to hate: “Tell me about yourself.” What in the world does the employer want to know? This question, like all interview questions, goes back to the job and what can you do for a respective company. Being able to describe yourself while including a success will allow the employer to get a clearer vision of you in the role. Think of some successes you’ve had in the past that demonstrate basic skills such as communication, problem solving, and customer service. Consider how these successes translate into the position you’re interested in. Again, while they may not be industry-specific successes, they are crucial skills every employee needs to make a difference where they work.

VOLUNTEERING/INTERNSHIPS

Volunteering is an exceptional way to build your resume and experience. It allows you to learn and develop new skills, meet people (network), make a difference in your community, build your self-confidence, and the list goes on and on. Doing well as an intern can result in increased opportunities to become a full-time employee either within the present company, or by having created strong networking ties to a position in another company similar to the first. Both volunteering and interning can provide a first-hand look at what it would be like to work for a specific employer. Whether the position is paid or unpaid, be sure to count this experience as such on your resume. All too often I hear “I was just a volunteer”. Really? – Give yourself more credit! Oprah Winfrey, Brad Pitt, Madonna – a few people who have been “just volunteers”.

Biggest rule: don’t get discouraged. As much as I’ve worked with unemployed and underemployed individuals, I’ve also had customers return to speak of great successes and overcoming their barriers. People do get hired every day. You can land a job with little or no experience if you’re invested in yourself. You are worth it!