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How to Land Your First Job (Even If You’ve Got No Experience)

Hiring Gen Z blog 6

So, you’re ready to land your first job, but there’s just one problem—you’ve got zero experience. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. More than 60% of young Australians say a lack of experience is their biggest barrier to getting hired (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2023).

But here’s the secret: you don’t need experience to be employable. Employers aren’t just looking for a perfect resume, they want someone who’s reliable, keen to learn, and has the right attitude. Here’s how to stand out and score that first gig.

 

Play to Your Strengths (Soft Skills Matter!)

Just because you haven’t worked before doesn’t mean you don’t have skills. Employers love soft skills like:

  • Communication (ever dealt with difficult customers in a school project?) 
    Teamwork (sports teams, group assignments—same thing!)  
  • Problem-solving (figuring out how to do an assignment the night before counts )

Fact: 91% of employers say soft skills are just as important as technical skills (National Skills Commission, 2023).

Pro tip: In your resume and interview, focus on times you’ve demonstrated these skills, even if it was in school, volunteering, or extracurriculars.

 

Tailor Your Resume (Even If It’s Empty)

A generic resume won’t cut it. Here’s how to make yours stand out:

  • Use a clean format  
  • Highlight your skills in a short summary at the top
  • List any experience (volunteering, school projects, it all counts)
  • Include a strong cover letter that explains why you’re keen to work

Fact: Recruiters spend just 6-8 seconds looking at a resume before deciding (Seek Australia, 2023), so make yours easy to skim.

 

Prepare for the Interview  

Got an interview? Time to prep. Employers will ask questions like:

"Tell me about yourself?" → Keep it short. Focus on your skills & enthusiasm.

"Why do you want this job?" → Show you’ve researched the company.

"Tell me about a time you worked in a team?" → Use an example from school, sports, or a project.

Fact: 33% of interviewers decide within the first 90 seconds if they’ll hire someone (Australian HR Institute, 2023).

Pro tip: Practice with a friend or record yourself answering common questions.

 

Follow Up & Stay Persistent

If you don’t hear back, don’t panic. Employers are busy. A quick follow-up email can show you’re serious about the role.

Example: 
"Hi [Hiring Manager’s Name], I just wanted to follow up on my application for [Job Title]. I’m really excited about the opportunity and would love to be considered. Looking  forward to your response!"

Fact: 22% of employers are more likely to hire someone who follows up (Indeed Australia, 2023).

Pro tip: Keep applying! The average job seeker applies for 12-15 jobs before landing one (Seek Australia, 2023).


You’ve Got This!

Landing your first job isn’t about experience; it’s about showing you’re eager, capable, and ready to learn. So, back yourself, apply with confidence, and don’t give up; your first job is closer than you think.

Need more help?  

Check out our resources + toolkit page for guides, resume templates, and interview tips. And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and sign up for our newsletter, that’s where we drop all our exclusive resources, news and spotlight new job listings!  

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