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When searching for your first job or a job in a new field, many people seek an entry-level position. If you have no work experience, you can highlight other qualifications on your resume and cover letter to show employers how you can contribute to their company. In this article, we discuss some high-paying jobs that require no experience and paths toward obtaining those positions.

Can I get a high-paying job with no experience?

It is possible to gain employment in an entry-level job that pays well even if you have no experience. Companies use the term “entry level” to describe jobs they offer to candidates with little or sometimes no relevant professional experience. Even so, many entry-level job descriptions state requirements of one or several years of experience.Related: The New Graduate’s Guide To Job Search

How to get a job with no experience

If you are seeking your first job or a job in a field that is new to you, you can use tactics that emphasize your relevant qualities, abilities and transferable skills to potential employers. Use these methods to display your qualifications:

1. Use the experience you do have

You may have experience from other fields or activities that show your work ethic and reliability to employers. If you don’t have work experience, don’t worry. Write a resume that emphasizes any experience you may have in relevant activities such as:

Coursework during high school, college or any other classes
Membership in organizations
Volunteer experience
Extracurricular activities
Independent work like nannying or freelancing

2. Get short-term experience

There are many ways you can boost your experience before applying for a job. Some opportunities only require short-term or part-time commitments that you may be able to complete during the course of your job search. Ways to gain experience before getting a job include:

Membership in relevant organizations
Volunteer work
Freelance work
Internships

3. Highlight your relevant skills

You may have hard and soft skills relevant to the jobs you want even without having professional experience. Look at the keywords in job descriptions, and use those keywords to highlight your skills on your resume. Identify the relevant skills you have developed, and make a list.Some skills you could include are:

Problem solving
Active listening
Written communication
Verbal communication
Interpersonal skills
Technological skills, such as proficiency with software or coding
Time management
Public speaking
Organization
Leadership

Related: 10 Best Skills To Include on a Resume

4. Focus on your accomplishments

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Consider any academic achievements, honors, scholarships and major projects you have completed. For example, if you completed a research project, participated in your student government association or organized a large event, you can use these accomplishments to show your abilities and trustworthiness to potential employers.To effectively highlight accomplishments on your resume, use quantifiable data. For example, you may have written an article for a publication that has 3,000 subscribers or conducted research that led to an increase in outreach opportunities at an organization where you volunteer.Read more: Listing Accomplishments on Your Resume (With Examples)

5. Pursue higher education

In some cases, the more education you have, the more likely employers are to hire you even without job experience. Companies often expect to hire people who have recently completed high school or a college degree. You can look for job titles with the words “junior” or “associate”—these jobs often require little or no relevant experience and less responsibility.Some fields, such as engineering, may be more likely to hire someone with a master’s degree and no professional experience than someone with a bachelor’s degree and experience.Consider pursuing these educational opportunities:

Degrees
Workshops
Online courses
Certifications
Professional development seminars

6. Network

Networking is the process of interacting with people to exchange information and develop professional contacts. Even without job experience, you can begin to build your network by connecting with friends or teachers and meeting other people through them.You can join a networking organization or use an online networking platform to build a profile and find professional contacts who are in your target field. Networking is an excellent way to show employers that you have communication and interpersonal skills. In some cases, you may establish a relationship through your networking channels that leads to a job or interview opportunity.

7. Interview with confidence

Don’t let an experience requirement stop you from applying for an entry-level job. Project confidence, respect and maturity in your communication with potential employers to show that you have the abilities the company requires for the role. Strongly emphasize your motivation and desire to work with the company to show employers that your dedication and ability to learn quickly will make up for your lack of experience.

High-paying jobs that do not require experience

Some jobs may have education, training, skills or certification requirements rather than experience requirements. Here are some jobs that require no experience. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on the link for each salary below:

Entry-level police officer

National average salary: $62,614 per yearPrimary duties: An entry-level police officer is responsible for maintaining a presence in the community, deterring crime, responding to citizen calls, securing crime scenes and taking action to secure property and protect citizens.

Radiation therapist

National average salary: $85,921 per yearPrimary duties: Radiation therapists work in medical settings to administer radiation treatments to patients.

Claims adjuster

National average salary: $63,093 per yearPrimary duties: A claims adjuster is responsible for investigating claims that people submit to insurance companies. They may investigate property, vehicles, people, police and witnesses and determine the monetary value of the damages. After they gather information, they will assemble a report.

Sales representative

National average salary: $69,403 per yearPrimary duties: A sales representative is responsible for greeting and assisting customers, suggesting products to meet the customer’s needs, learning about their company’s products and meeting sales goals.

Real estate agent

National average salary: $96,972 per yearPrimary duties: A real estate agent is responsible for researching and marketing properties, interviewing clients to determine their needs, organizing and overseeing property showings and transactions, advising clients, conducting open houses and supporting clients through paperwork completion.

Example resume for no experience

You can use your resume to focus on your skills, education and achievements rather than direct work experience. Here is a sample resume:

Mary Parker

(313) 555-7890
[email protected]Objective
I am a hard-working, aspiring writer eager to gain experience by working with professionals in the communications field where I can apply my talents and cultivate my love for language.Education
Mountain Arts High School
Graduation date: May 2021
GPA: 3.8
Relevant coursework: Digital Media 1 & 2, Intro to Journalism, Creative WritingExperience and Activities
Hostess
Delicious Dining
2019–2020
• Provided exceptional customer service
• Assisted other employees during high-volume times
• Received award for Most Valuable EmployeeChildren’s Literacy Outreach Volunteer
2017–2019
• Donated 3 hours each week reading to kids
• Organized book drive and collected over 1,000 children’s books
• Tutored elementary students in reading skillsAwards and Achievements
• Principal’s Honor Roll, 2018–2020
• Academic Honor Roll, 2019–2021
• Book Club Leader, 2018–2019
• Photo Editor Certification
• Completed Editor Workshop at Mountain Community CollegeSkills and Abilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Software proficiency
• Organization
• Leadership
• Time management