How to Write a Cover Letter with No Experience
When you've never worked before, trying to get a job can feel like a Catch-22: how do you get work experience without having work experience? Making yourself an attractive candidate is important, although it's essential to remember that you should never lie about your qualifications. Getting your first job can hinge a lot on your cover letter, as it gives you the opportunity to make up for a sparse resume. Here are a few things to remember:
- Highlight your enthusiasm and willingness to work. You don't have any experience, so you have to sell excitement in its place. Make sure you research the company you're applying for, and make it clear that you're knowledgeable and thorough.
- Talk about relevant skills and experiences. You might never have held a job, but you've probably done volunteer work at some point. Or maybe you were in a club or sport in school, or received an award or scholarship. You'll want to highlight something you've worked hard on, something that has a tangible outcome that you can point to as proof of your dedication.
- Knowledge is also important. If you're coming out of college with a degree in a related field, make sure you talk about the relevant classes and how your education makes you qualified.
- Make a case for your transferrable skills. If you've only ever volunteered in a soup kitchen and you're looking for a position in a computer startup, you can still talk about your customer service skills, project management, and other universal qualities.
- Apply for jobs in your experience range. Stick to entry-level positions and job postings where you meet the listed requirements.
Index of Cover Letter Examples
