Yet these roles aren’t always easy to come by, and many find entry-level roles require prior experience. The type of experience that you would get from … you guessed it, an entry-level job.
So what’s the best way to approach an entry-level role application? I asked career coaches from Australia and New Zealand who have collectively come up with nine ideas to try before you apply.
1. Take on a part-time job
Lynda Bundock: "You'll develop industry-related skills and important employability skills. Great if this is in your area of interest, but never underestimate the power of transferable skills."
2. Volunteer with a charity
Anton Pemmer: "Volunteering helps someone else first, and it's a chance to learn, demonstrate your skills, and learn in a very practical way. Don't volunteer indefinitely — set yourself a time frame. Then at the end ask if they could give you a reference from their organisation around the skills you want to be working in. Be transparent and let them know that right up front of what your purpose is. It's not about working for nothing, it's about investing in the opportunities that will come from it."
3. Use your network
Sarah Burgess: "I’ve lost count of the number of people I’ve said, 'I know people in your target company, I can get your CV /application in to them for them to refer on.' And then I hear nothing from them. If someone offers to help you, then take them up on it quickly."
4. Find your supporters
Athena Ali: "Getting in 'good' with your tutors/lecturers/teachers is a great help when looking for work. This is the same if you are transitioning from one career to another. Having people who can vouch for you despite your specific experience, and landing hidden opportunities is the way to go."
5. Do a ‘proof project’
Robyn Greaves: "A proof project can accelerate your results. These are self-contained pieces of work that demonstrate your knowledge and ability to add value to others.
"Give a presentation, run a workshop, be part of a panel — find opportunities to show your expertise and tell people about it."
6. Learn from the best
Andy Agouridis: "Find a subject matter expert to coach you or mentor you."
7. Look for casual roles in the industry
Ursula Dyer Lepporoli: "It’s a great way to get your foot in the door. The opportunity has been the pathway for many graduates and consultants in our group. In fact, it’s how my career started at KPMG Australia 16 years ago."
8. Offer to work for free, with limits
"Research the companies you want to work for and see what roles are on offer and call the hiring manager and offer to work for free for a few months to see how you can find ways to add value."
"Kind of like offering yourself as an intern. Then at the end of three months, if you like them and they like you, there may be opportunity for this to become a paid role. If not, you now do have experience and a list of achievements and have tested the role yourself."
9. Do strategic training
Rex Alexander: "If you find a position you really want now, work out what you are missing from a skills perspective, and find a way to get those skills. Some ideas include asking your current work for opportunities (even short-term), volunteering to learn and use the skills, or perhaps take a course — it's really your choice.
"By gaining the skills now, you will be ready for any future opportunities."
LinkedIn is offering free access to learning paths for in-demand jobs. Here’s the learning path to become an IT Manager, including this course on IP adressing and binary.
What does the end of lockdown mean for job seekers? In Australia, businesses are opening back up but struggling to fill positions amid a labour shortage. That's good news for job seekers. Take a look.
Have a job but find yourself looking elsewhere? Almost three-quarters of companies around the world are offering employees more flexible hours in a bid to retain them, according to a UBS Group survey. Take a look.
Source: Cayla Dengate
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