How to get a job without work experience

Career Insights by GGI is a new series by GGI sharing hacks and tips around management consulting, MBA, product management and public policy.

In this GGI career insight, we will be sharing insights into: the hacks of getting a job without any experience.

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Are you a college student struggling to get an internship?

This is a very interesting topic as it creates a paradox. You can’t get a job without experience and you need experience to get an internship.

I can understand the hassle. The aim of this career insight is to bring empathy to the life of an intern and help them

Your first crack into the industry is extremely important as afterwards more opportunities follow.

The risk of giving someone an internship offer is relatively less than giving a job offer. Hence, it is extremely important to get a good internship.

1. Offer Help

It is unlikely that you will get a response if you send generic messages to employers. Instead, offer help.

I once had an intern who wrote to me thrice explaining in 3 points how he will ad value to my venture. When it came to hiring, he was my top priority.

Research about the person and their company.

2. Search

Do a thorough search on LinkedIn, Internshala and similar platforms.

Make a powerful profile and write to hiring managers and founders. Start-ups are less conscious about degrees. I've had interns who were still in high school.

3. Reaching out to family and friends

Your first crack is very tough. This is where your first-degree network is of help.

For example, my father used to work in Delhi Metro and he helped my brother get an internship there.

4. Resume and Cover Letter

It is extremely important to send in personalised cover letters and resumes.

You can not send the same documents to everyone.

5. Taking feedback

If you have been rejected, write back and ask for feedback.

Once again sharing my story- when I was taking a case interview of a potential employee, within the first few minutes we both realised that she was not very good at it. As she asked for my feedback, I actually told her how she should go about it.

6. Follow up

It is your job to get yourself a job.

Do not rely on someone else to give you a job.

Beyond my skills, the one thing that has helped me land jobs is that I was perpetual and consistent in reaching out to HR managers.

What is a good frequency? Once a week.

7. Be interview ready

Make sure to be prepared for whatever skill-based questions you will be asked, be it Excel, case interview, data structures, etc.

8. Why you?

Whenever I ask someone why we should hire them, I get cliché answers such as- I am honest, ethical, dedicated, etc. Such answers do not work.

Why? 99% of the people will give the same answers.

Instead, show don’t tell.

Don’t tell me you are dedicated. Show me how you are dedicated. Share an example where you exhibited your dedication and solved a problem.

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If you need more help getting into management consulting and product management, feel free to check out my education venture- Global Governance Initiative. We invite industry leaders to host Masterclasses and teach our students the hard and soft skills required to excel in their careers.

Author: Shatakshi Sharma, Co-CEO Global Governance Initiative, Ex-BCG Management Consultant, Former Policy Advisor, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change

If you are interested in learning about GGI's MBA Scholar program, you can learn here.