You can achieve what you believe

ask the expert banner


When Looking for Your First Job, What Do You Put for Experience?

by Lauren
(Georgia)

What should you put down for previous employment if you haven't really had any aside from babysitting, or house cleaning, or doing office work for your mother even if you got paid for it, is it professional to write that down or is it better left blank?

Comments for When Looking for Your First Job, What Do You Put for Experience?

Click here to add your own comments

Jan 25, 2009
It Comes Down to Transferable Skills
by: Kathi

Lauren, when you lack traditional experience in the work world, then you need to identify volunteer work and work from home kind of experience that has given you certain marketable skills. Basically, you are facing the same challenge a stay at home mom does when venturing into the job market after many years at home raising children and running a household.

Sounds to me as though you actually have some good experience, with the babysitting (child care), housecleaning and the office work for your mom. So I would definitely list them on your resume. I would also use a combination or functional resume format (check this site for info on that). And focus on the skills you gained in those various "beginner" jobs. My daughter once got an administrative assistant job on the strength of volunteer work she'd done at my employer during her summers (while still in middle school!). The important thing is to proceed with confidence and believe in your abilities.

Good luck,
Kathi

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Archived Employment History Questions.


For "Ask the Expert" question categories, follow these links:

Resume Questions Other Questions:
Archives

Share YOUR job hunting horror stories with our readers!


Here are some more pages you might be interested in...








Search This Site:

Site Sponsors

See our Advertising Policy

-->


Need help making a professional resume? Check out this fabulous online resume builder!




Click here to get professional resume help online


Job Seekers'
Power Pack!

job seekers power pack picture

Grab your copy of these 5 concise reports about every aspect of the job hunt. Don't miss this opportunity to change your life for the better!

Check it out NOW


Please, help this site continue running by donating $5.00


Keep Up to Date

Follow us on our Facebook Fan Page Follow our updates on Twitter
Subscribe to my careers blog Subscribe to our site changes in your feed reader

Learning Library

-->
[?] Subscribe To This Site

XML RSS
follow us in feedly
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines