I'm having trouble finding a new job, what's the fastest way to enter into a new field?

I have recently graduated with a certificate in the Legal Administrative Assistant Program at my school. I am working with the placement office and have posted my resume' on every job search site I can think of. I get e-mails back saying "We're sorry, but we're looking for someone with experience."

I think my problem may be that, other than college, I have had no experience in an office-type setting before. All of my previous jobs have been in retail. Also, I have not worked for nearly two years, so there are gaps in my resume'. So how does a graduate get any office experience when most employers want office experience before they hire you?

Princess Leia

1. Internships are good - they are unpaid but you can get the office / clerical experience that you need.

2. Temporary employment agencies - there are those which specialize in staffing solely for legal jobs (assistant, paralegal, attorney, etc.). You can try those first, but you might get the same answer (about lack of experience). Then, you should try a "regular" temporary employment agency that can get you a basic clerical job. Those agencies will test you in your typing skills (if you need to learn to type, there are lots of computer programs that can assist you) and basic clerical skills (filing, alphabetical and/or chronological order; grammatical skills, spelling skills, etc.).

No matter what temp agency you go for - YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY THEM - they get paid through the employer once you have been placed so RUN, don't walk, away from those which require you to put money up front.

Fill those gaps up with temporary positions, volunteer positions, etc.

hulahoops

A few options:

1. Look for an internship of somesort. It will give you experience.

2. Go to a Professional TEMP agency. They will find you a job. They only get paid when they place you so let them "sell you"

3. Go door to door with the businesses in town. Realistically this may not work. But what it will give you is confidence to talk to people and will prep you for the time the interview does matter.

4. Go on every job interview you can. Again, this will start to give you more confidence. Even if the job does not seem like a fit....go anyways, AND INTERVIEW THEM!!!! See if YOU are a good fit to work for THEIR company. Seriously....this will blow them away and you will start to get offers.

Ken S

Best way is to fill the gaps in your resume not by lying but embelishing. Take your confident points and incorporate them into experience in your resume. Employers want experience and you can't get experience without the chance, so you need to tell them waht they want to hear and excel at the new position

cuteangel

Don't get upset... Try and try. You know oftentimes, rejections/failures are more than our success. There are still jobs there that accepts no experience. Just be patient. You have said you have already tried on-line, continue on what your doing just add a little zest on it. Like having a cover letter attached with your resume. Then with your CV, make it simple and short but attractive. Also, try applying personal. Attend job fairs and read the newspapers. Be patient and optimistic, if you know you can do the job even without experience, apply! The key on finding a job is patience, will and attitude. Good luck and hope you'll find the right job for you! ;-)

sammityvillehorror

gaps in resumes are not always the sore spots people think. look around for internships, basic receptionist duty jobs at any local offices, get yourself out there in the office setting for a little bit.
check with your city hall. they might be able to direct you to a place that is hiring, or have a program for people who are trying to get into your field. i know my city has a few...
good luck

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