1

Most entry level positions want 1-3 years experience, so another question I see a lot if how to get that first year of experience. Here are a few tips from my own career.

Step 1: If you are in school seek internships

Internships are a great way to get your foot in the door. You may need to take an unpaid internship, but the experience will help you get a paying job, so see it as an investment. Talk to career services and people you know in business and ask for an internship.

Step 2: Volunteer with non-profits

Approach non-profits such as churches or charities and ask if you can volunteer some of your time working with their IT staff. Most will welcome the help and you get a chance to work with other IT staff and get real experience. This can easily go on your resume and will often get you letters of recommendation if you do quality work.

Step 3: Consider Temp or Contract jobs

Work with local staffing agencies for temporary or contract assignments. Many companies bring in entry level help this way or use it to screen for permanent positions. This is how I was hired for my present job. Unlike traditional job hunting here you have an agency doing most of the legwork for you and there is no stigma for short term positions.

Step 4: Use your network

Ask people you know to refer you to jobs and join sites like Linked In for professional networking. A large portion of entry level positions are hired by referral, so use who you know to get your foot in the door.

Getting a first job is a challenge, it took my 4 years out of college to land the position I really wanted. If you are willing to seek experience though, it does get easier.

36 Spice ups
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These are excellent tips.

I also find that with the right skillset an employer will hire you without the experience. I figure any job that asks for 5 years or less years of experience is fair game and I will apply for it.

I’ve been out of school for two years.

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Along the lines of volunteering with non-profits, help another group who truly appreciates the free assistance - the elderly. Check with senior centers, assisted living offices, etc. Advertise free computer set ups, in home education, one on one training. They love the personal attention, it looks great on your resume, and you are helping those who can’t always afford or want to ask for help.

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Great advice. Once I was out of school, with no experience, it took me three years to get my first IT job. It got easier after that, but those three years could have been shorter if I had seen this advice.

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Nice write up. I graduated in 2000 right after the tech bust. I volunteered at non profit companies to keep the skills up and continued to study up. Luckily I has able to weather the storm.
Good luck to all looking for work!!

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Really useful tips. Sometimes we forget or even not aware of certain attitudes, even as simple, which can lead to success.

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These are definitely great tips. Especially considering how many jobs, even entry-level want you to have experience, or worse, a degree and experience.

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Hello, it’s very late but I just want to say that these are really helpful tips. I’ll be handing this over to a friend of mine because he needs help. Thanks !

9

I would like to add, if I may, a “Step” in between steps.

Continue Learning while you are Gaining Experience. Read up on How to’s (like here in Spiceworks), Seek out Resources (there are free ones to start), go to IT events in the local area, Go to a local computer store and buy spare parts for practice (the worse condition, the better the experience, especially if you plan to do repairing/restoring). This is different than going to outside sources such as internships; this is entirely personal as you are the one seeking these things.

The reason is thus: while you are seeking a career in the field, you are also keeping your skills up, and/or updating/upgrading what you already know. From that experience you can carry over any theory-work you gained from school/internships as you now have the direct exposure that theory-work discusses. You are literally DOING what is being talked about in theory, further building your foundation.

Thanks for this invaluable advice, and remember: #YouCanDoIT