Summer’s coming up fast, and suddenly everyone’s talking about internships, part time jobs, and “getting experience.” You’re ready to apply — but then you hit a roadblock: every job wants experience you don’t have yet. That’s literally why you’re applying.

Here’s the good news: you can build experience before you land that first big role. You just have to get a little creative. Here are a few ways to start boosting your resume, sharpening your skills, and getting yourself career ready long before graduation day.

What does it mean to have no experience?

No experience generally means you have not held any jobs similar to the ones you’re interested in applying. But, that doesn’t mean you lack skills. You’ve likely developed skills in class, volunteer work, personal projects, or internships.

Entry-level jobs are commonly the first step on the career path. Although the definition of entry-level can vary by industry and company, these positions require no experience or minimal education. Many job descriptions will have a long list of “preferred” qualifications – don’t let that scare you. Apply anyways! Your transferrable skills and eagerness to learn may help you land an interview. 

Research and prepare

Applying to companies randomly on Indeed or Handshake can feel productive, but it may not be the best use of your time. A better approach is to pause and get clear on what matters to you—like a job’s location, pay, or whether the role connects to your major. Once you know your priorities, use job boards to identify companies that match and create a list of your top ten. From there, search each company’s websites to learn more about their mission and current openings. You can still use job boards throughout your search, but you may find yourself spending more time researching companies directly and applying through their individual websites.

Preparing also means having your application materials ready to go. Creating a master copy of your resume and cover letter can help you save time. When you find a job you wish to apply to, fine-tune your documents to clearly show the hiring committee why they should invite you to an interview. You can look at the job description as a reference to ensure your skills and examples demonstrate how you could thrive in this role.

Looking for feedback? Career Services offers individual feedback appointments to strengthen your resume and cover letter. Find us on Navigate.

How do you strengthen your skills right now? Here are some ideas!

Informational interviewing

One of the easiest ways to learn about a career is by talking to someone who’s already doing it. An informational interview is a low pressure conversation where you ask someone about their job, how they got started, and what keeps them excited about their work.

Most professionals are happy to chat for 20 minutes, especially if you come prepared. Do a little background research first: look them up on LinkedIn, check out their projects, or ask a mutual connection for insight. Then bring a short list of questions you’re genuinely curious about.

People love sharing their stories, and you might walk away with advice, clarity, or even a new direction you hadn’t considered.

LinkedIn learning

Did you know you can access thousands of educational videos and professional certificates through LinkedIn Learning for free with your student email? It’s especially helpful when you’re preparing for a job that requires a specific skill. For example, if you know Excel is essential, you can take an Excel certification course to strengthen your formula skills. Once you complete a course, you can add the certificate to your resume or highlight it in your cover letter to show employers you’re serious about developing your expertise.

Learn more: https://necc.edu/workforce/career-services/linkedin-learning/ 

Volunteering

Volunteering is an easy, hands-on way to explore a career path and get a feel for an industry. Many local non-profits are looking for students who can help out weekly with ongoing projects. Nursing majors, for example, often volunteer at nearby hospitals to see what the day to day environment is really like and confirm that the field feels like the right fit. When you show up consistently, you’ll get to know the staff, ask real questions, and see what different roles look like in action. An hour or two a week could help you explore new interests—and maybe even your future career.

Job simulation

If you have some time, you can try job simulations to test out the work at your own pace. Forage offers free, virtual job simulations designed by real companies to help you explore different career paths and build practical skills. These self-paced courses give you the chance to complete tasks similar to what interns or entry-level employees might do. It can be helpful to figure out what type of work you want to do, and build confidence in your skills. You can add completed simulations to your resume and LinkedIn profile to showcase your initiative.

Ready to check it out? Visit: https://www.theforage.com/ 

Internships

Internships are short-term, hands-on experiences that let you apply your classroom learning to the workplace. You can complete them for academic credit or pursue them on your own outside of school. They typically last a semester or a few months. 

Many employers are looking for students who are curious, motivated, and eager to grow. Don’t count yourself out just because you’re not an expert—apply anyways! Employers offering internships understand you are still figuring things out, and it can be a great experience to decide what you what to prioritize in your future career.

Pre-internships: Some companies offer pre-internships designed to help you build skills and stand out as a candidate. These opportunities might be listed as case studies, job simulations, online trainings, or networking events. Ready to explore? You can find many of these opportunities on Handshake—take a look in the jobs and events sections. If you’re focused on a particular location or type of business, start by creating a list of companies. From there, check out their websites and social media to learn more about their early career opportunities.  Visit our website for more information and career resources! https://necc.edu/workforce/career-services/

Email: careerservices@necc.mass.edu Handshake URL: www.necc.joinhandshake.com