Advice on how to get your first job

Find Coventry jobs, how to get a job in Coventry, getting a job without experience, find jobs in Coventry

Finding employment with no job experience may seem daunting, but many opportunities exist for people with little or no work experience. Many Coventry businesses, like Coventry clothes shops and Coventry restaurants, employ staff with no job experience and provide on-the-job training. Even with no experience or perceived relevant skills, the first step is to compose a Curriculum Vitae (CV).

So what are going to put on your CV when you have no workplace experience? Well everyone has experience of something in life and these skills that you have picked up along the way are transferable skills and are valued by many employers.

Keep an open mind about the employment opportunities available to you. You may not want to work as a waiter or shop assistant, but these jobs may lead to other opportunities and will give you experience. Entry-level jobs are the first steps of what you want to be a long and interesting journey in your career so do not be put off. Try not to worry about the perceived prestige of this type of work, remember that the multi millionaire business tycoon Duncan Bannatyne worked as a barman in his early days and started out in business as an ice cream seller. Sir Alan Sugar started out selling car aerials on Petticoat Lane market; this was his first steps to creating his huge business empire.

Let's focus on your CV. Even if you have no work experience, nearly all businesses will ask you to provide a CV before they consider hiring you. Your CV may include: your level of education, any leadership positions you have held (captain of a sports team or leader in the Scouts for example), your skills (typing, researching, writing, organizing), and two or three references. Your references should be people who know you well and who can vouch that you are a responsible and hard-working person. (Consider asking a teacher, religious leader, neighbour or family friend to be a reference. Do not ask family members to act as your references. Your CV should fit onto one page at this stage of your career and should be printed on A4 white paper.

Start networking, which means meeting and mixing with people who may be able to help you. Many people obtain jobs through social networking so get on twitter and Facebook and let your followers and friends that you are seeking employment. Be careful what you post on these social networks, it is there for all to see and anything that projects you in a undesirable manner may get a few short lived laughs but could damage you prospects if these posts are forwarded around the world.

Ask your family and friends about job opportunities at their place of employment; let them know you are looking for a job and ask them to tell you about any job openings they may hear about. Also, visit local Coventry restaurants, Coventry shops and other Coventry businesses to inquire about any open positions.

Look for entry-level positions in the newspaper or search online at sites like Activ Coventry jobs Choose a few jobs that interest you and fill out an application form. You should also consider job categories that often employ workers with little or no experience, for example catering and hospitality jobs in Coventry, temporary jobs in Coventry, retail jobs in Coventry, warehouse/logistics jobs in Coventry, mail delivery, agriculture, cleaning, and contact centre jobs in Coventry. Walk around shopping centres and the local high street, inquire at supermarkets, leisure centres, Coventry hotels and even Coventry car dealers, they may want someone to clean cars, before you know it you could get a job in the workshop or as a sales executive.

Consider work experience or volunteer opportunities. Obtaining an internship or signing up as a volunteer are useful ways to build your CV and get practical job experience. To attain an internship or to become a volunteer, research companies or organizations that do something that appeals to your interests. Contact the human resources department to see if any internship or volunteer opportunities are available at the organization. If the company is in need of an intern or volunteer, fill out any necessary application forms and arrange a time for an interview.

Summary

Be prepared to work for a low wage. If you have little or no job experience, your first job will most likely pay minimum wage. To earn more money, make sure you work hard at your job and be punctual and co-operative. Once you demonstrate to your employer that you are a reliable employee, you may find that they give you more responsibility and pay. If you are unhappy with your job stick with it long enough to gain valuable experience and look for another job while you are working rather than from a position of un-employment.

Beware of scams. It may be tempting to take on a job that promises unbelievable pay with no job experience necessary, but most of these "opportunities" turn out to be scams. Be wary of positions like postal forwarding, stuffing envelopes, data entry and processing checks, since many of these jobs are actually scams. Stay away from job opportunities that ask you for an upfront fee, provide little job description and promise high wages immediately. Remember if it sounds too good to be true it most surely is too good to be true.

So best foot forward and get that CV written. If you need help with this ask at your local Coventry job centre, see the Activ Coventry CV tips, or contact Activ Coventry if you would like us to prepare your CV for you.

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