What to Do If You Have No Experience and Want to Work in 2025
Read it in 5 minutes
So you want to work — but you have zero experience. No internships, no formal jobs, maybe not even side projects.
Is it game over?
Not at all. In 2025, the idea of “experience” is more flexible than ever, and many people successfully land their first job without a traditional background.
This article will help you:
- Understand how employers think about experience
- Choose the best path forward
- Start building value from where you are
Why “no experience” isn’t as bad as it sounds
The truth is, everyone starts somewhere. Most employers know this.
You’re not expected to have years of experience for an entry-level or internship role. What matters more is:
- Motivation to learn
- Clarity about your interests
- Basic communication and responsibility
- Willingness to take initiative
If you can show these traits, many employers are ready to take a chance on you — even with an empty CV.
What to do if you have no experience
Here are practical steps you can take, starting today:
1. Start with an internship (even unpaid if you can afford it)
Internships are designed for people without experience.
Yes, some are unpaid — but they’re often the fastest way to build:
- Workplace familiarity
- Skills you can list
- A recommendation or connection
Tip: Apply to small companies or NGOs — they’re more flexible and often more open to newcomers.
2. Volunteer
Volunteering isn't just "doing good" — it builds real skills:
- Organizing events
- Working in teams
- Communicating with strangers
- Managing time and tasks
And unlike internships, volunteering doesn’t come with expectations, so it’s easier to get started even if you’re shy or unsure.
3. Start a small project
You don’t need permission to build experience.
- Write blog posts
- Build a simple website
- Sell a product online
- Help someone in your family organize their business
Even a 2-week side project can teach you more than 3 months of job hunting.
4. Take short online courses and do something with them
A course only matters if it leads to output.
For example:
- Take a 2-hour Excel course → Make a budget sheet
- Learn basic graphic design → Create mock logos for fake brands
- Study email marketing → Write a newsletter for a friend’s shop
Knowledge + Action = Experience
5. Reach out to people and ask questions
Networking isn’t just for professionals.
If you’re unsure what to do:
- DM someone on LinkedIn in the field you’re curious about
- Ask: “How did you get started?”
- Offer to help for free or ask for 10 minutes of advice
These conversations can lead to opportunities you can’t apply for online.
What do employers really want in entry-level candidates?
A 2024 study by LinkedIn and JobTeaser found that employers hiring juniors value:
- Curiosity and willingness to learn
- Team communication
- Basic digital literacy
- Proactivity
- Adaptability
Notice what’s missing? Formal job experience.
How long does it take to “have experience”?
It doesn’t have to take years.
In most industries:
- A 3-month internship is enough to apply for junior roles
- 1–2 good projects or collaborations can replace formal work
- Even a portfolio of small wins (like blogs, videos, designs) can build trust
Experience is less about the format and more about proof of effort.
✅ Summary: Your 3-Point Game Plan
- Take action quickly, even if small
- Document everything you do — screenshots, links, results
- Apply to roles that welcome beginners, and tailor your message
Final thoughts
You don’t need experience to get started — you need to start to get experience.
The world of work is changing. Employers in 2025 care more about what you show, not what title you held.
So build, learn, ask questions — and above all: keep moving.
You’re not behind. You’re just at the beginning.