Jobseekers always face a longstanding dilemma in the job market arena — employers won’t employ them because of lack of work experience and they can’t get experience without a job. So those who have little or no experience always face a daunting task getting the jobs of their dreams.

Fortunately, if you belong to this category of jobseekers, there is way you can write your CV and stand head and shoulders above even the most qualified applicant! Here are the steps.

Research the employers – This is the key. Research the employers to discover what they really want. This will enable you to address their problems and needs by showing them in your CV that even though you don’t have enough work experience, you have the skills to solve their problems and meet their needs.

Realize that you’re experienced – Everything you’ve done in life is experience, don’t limit yourself to only formal work experience you’ve had. Really, the objective of your CV is to convince the employer that you understand their needs and that you possess the skills to meet their needs.

So, check your skill set, what have you done in the past that are relevant to the position you’re seeking. For instance, if you’re applying for a position in an NGO that needs fund raising and communication skills, and you have helped your community club raise funds to build their secretariat 4 years ago, those are experiences that count. If you’ve served as the secretary of a multi-million dollar investment club, that’s also an experience that can make the difference. Include them and other skills in your CV if they address the employers’ needs.

Don’t sell yourself short – Just because you don’t have a long string of work experience as stipulated by the employers doesn’t mean you should sell yourself short. Like I said earlier, experience come in many forms, everything you’ve done in life is experience. It’s all about how you present them. Don’t sell yourself short. Write your CV in such a way that will make you appear more qualified than other applicants and this you can do by addressing the concerns of the employers.

Be completely honest -- One thing I’ll never stop advising jobseekers against is lying to sound overly qualified. When it comes to writing your CV when you have little or no work experience, I think the first rule should be, “BE HONEST.” Ensure every single word of your CV is true. Don’t make things up. Employers do so many background checks and that could count against you not only now but also in future. And always remember that winners don’t lie.

Include skills you’re currently acquiring — If you’ve enrolled in programmes that will add to your skill set, go ahead and include them in your CV and openly tell employers you’re still on it. They’ll appreciate the fact that you’re taking positive steps to increase your competencies and abilities. If you have little or no experience and you’re not doing anything to add it, now is the time to get up and do something about it.

Implement these steps and see if you’ll not land a job even with limited experience.

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