I'm Graduating with No Work Experience. What Do I Do?

Graduating without work experience can make it tough to land a job. But there are many ways to get attention from future employers despite a lack of official work experience, say career experts. For one, it's important to show that you're willing to work hard by taking advantage of any available opportunities to get more knowledge and experience in your field. For example, you can schedule informational interviews with your school's alumni who can share their network contacts, which in turn can help you land a job says, Anne-Marie Ditta, a career and executive coach at MyCareerCoach.net. 

If you're graduating with no work experience, here's what you can do to get hired:

1. Get an internship
Even if you can't commit to a long unpaid internship after graduation, some companies may offer recent grads a chance to help with temporary projects. "Internships don't always have to be long-term assignments, they could be a month long, while you're interviewing for your position after graduation," says Rebecca Bamman, an executive search and career coach with answerQUEST Career Management. To get started, make a list of companies that you'd most want to work for and inquire about internship possibilities.

2. Be eager
While you may not have experience under your belt, employers look for grads that are willing to work hard and can show their work ethic in an interview. Many entry-level positions require grunt work, and hiring managers want to rest assured that you will do whatever is needed to get ahead (even if that means getting coffee or spending the day near the copier). Be sure your eagerness to work hard and succeed comes through with specific examples in your cover letter or during an interview. Experts say, if your personality shines through, work experience may become a secondary issue when it comes to entry-level hiring.

3. Ask your professors
Some of your professors may be willing to vouch for your abilities once it's time for you to go out into the real world. For example, if you excelled on an extensive research assignment during a course that was required for your major, ask that same instructor about connecting you with potential employers. It's also a good idea to discuss references - having someone who is ready to vouch for you can make it easier once you begin the interviewing process.

4. Refer to extracurricular activities
On your resume, don't just list "all of the groups you've been a member with, but [explain] what you did with those groups, what positions you held or how you contributed," Bamman suggests. Volunteering is another plus: "Philanthropic organizations show that you give back to your community," she says.

5. Mention non-career related work
If you held part-time jobs throughout your undergraduate career, it's important to mention this to recruiters; this speaks to your level of motivation, Ditta says. Include your non profession-related job as an activity on your resume, mention it in your cover letter or even slip it into conversation during an interview. Many skills, like customer service for example, are also transferable to entry-level positions in the corporate world.

6. Join professional organizations
Once you graduate be sure to look up the professional organizations that are applicable in your field. Attend happy hours, join LinkedIn groups and do anything possible to stay involved with the developments of your industry. Keeping on top of industry news and staying involved will not only help you build a network but your level of dedication will impress potential employers.

Despite the difficulty of trying to land your first job without having official work experience, it's important to make sure the position you accept is really a fit. While it may be tempting to accept the first job you get, do your research to make sure you're really ready to work there. If you "leave the job quickly [it] won't look good to other employers," Bammam says.