01 Jan 2020 | 4 mins

One of the great paradoxes in life occurs when you’re trying to find your first ‘real’ job. Employers advertise an entry-level job, but then expect all applicants to have a minimum of two years’ experience.

It’s like being told you can’t go in the water until you’ve learnt how to swim.

Somehow, though, everyone manages to find their way into a job. If you’re currently living the job-hunting life, you’re probably wondering how they did it. What black magic did they employ to navigate around the whole “minimum two-years’ experience” roadblock?

Well, one way to do it is to seriously bulk up your resume. If a resume is like a list of reasons someone should employ you, then the more quality reasons you have, the better. Suss out some of our tips below on how to turn that experience-less resume of yours into an absolute weapon.

1. Build up your skills

If you’re low on experience but high on the skills necessary to get the job done, most employers should be more than happy to consider you for an entry-level job.

Growing your skillset outside of the workplace can be tricky, but a good place to start is by getting yourself educated. You don’t even have to pour years of your life into getting a degree – sometimes enrolling in a short course (even a short online course) that focuses on training you in one specific skill is just as valuable.

Remember: employers love reading official things on resumes. Having an industry-recognised certificate saying you know how to code is a lot more trustworthy than “my mate taught me how to do it last summer.”

2. Volunteer

At the time, volunteering seems like you’re just working your ass off for nothing. But while you are working for ‘free’ in a monetary sense, you’re actually getting paid quite heftily in another form of currency – that of increased employability.

Employers dig volunteering. It shows you care about the community and are able to value the wellbeing of others before that of yourself. To an employer, it suggests that you might be willing to go the extra mile and work that extra little bit harder for the wellbeing of the company.

If any of the tasks you completed whilst volunteering have anything in common with the job you’re applying for, be sure to flaunt it in that resume of yours!

3. Start a blog

No, don’t create a blog that details everything going on in your personal life, or one that’s full of cute photos of your new doggo. Start a blog about the industry you’re trying to break into. Update it regularly and show off your knowledge, interest, and involvement in the industry.

Telling an employer that you’re passionate about their industry is one thing, but a blog is essentially a portfolio proving your undeniable commitment to the industry.

4. Go on international exchange

Studying overseas can only say good things about you on your resume. On international exchange, you gain highly sought-after skills such as cultural awareness, independence, and self-sufficiency. On top of that, your communication skills tend to be through the roof as you’re frequently forced out of your comfort zone.

If you studied something relevant to the career you’re chasing, you can even say that exchange gave you an international perspective on the industry!

5. Do a virtual internship

If you’ve got no work experience to show on your resume, then InsideSherpa’s virtual internships are pretty much the closest you can get to the real deal. These programs are free to students and teach you practical, relevant skills by having you complete tasks that mimic the jobs that actual employees do on a day-to-day basis.

With the freedom to intern at huge companies like big banks, accounting firms and Engineering firms, InsideSherpa’s programs give you an amazing behind-the-scenes look into the reality of many different careers. This is great for not only broadening your skillset – but it also lets you assess whether or not a certain career still sounds like something you want to pursue.

These 100% online virtual internships look great on a resume and will really tickle employers in all the right places, as completing one would show that you take initiative in seeking opportunities to expand your skill set and gain experience in every way possible. It’s a win-win.

When the time comes for you to seek your first adult job, no longer shall you be intimidated by the words “minimum 2+ years’ experience”. You’ve got all the skills and experience you need already!