finding work without relevant work experience
 

just wondering how people get past this issue. for example finding accounting jobs without any accounting experience. im sure problems like this arise in other careers as well. any input would be appreciated

You'd most likely have to start from the bottom like in entry positions. Or knowing people would be beneficial

On the same boat, been trying to find some entry level work. But no one is even offering an interview, FUUUU. Just gotta continue applying and hope for the best.

Cold calling or via informational interviews

volunteer

I started in accounting with out any experience. I started off in a clerking position as an AR Clerk then did A/P and then payroll and now I do full cycle accounting. Working your way up is the alternative to education, sometimes it takes longer but doesn't tend to lead to debt. Often companies will pay for your training as you move up.

I've had other jobs that I've gone into with minimal or no experience as well. The trick is to write a really good cover letter that addresses your deficits directly, but also how you intend to over come them. If you do this well and get your foot in the door for an interview you can win them over from there.

Networking is also your friend.

You must also be able to sell youself. Never shortchange your lack of experience.

Employers want to be able to feel confident in the person they are interviewing, and hiring.

Best way to do that? make sure you know your shit as well. When I used to be personnel manager, the one thing I hated the MOST was people who walk in that don't know their shit, and just expect to have a job handed to them.

On the other hand, if a person comes in with a good mentality, attitude and knowlege of the industry/work nature, I'm much more inclined to hire him/her and/or even pay them more to stay.

Also, scan your background for experience that might be useful but not in obvious ways and bring it to the fore.

In my retail life I did a lot of inventory management and cash handling for example, but that wasn't readily evident when I listed myself as an Assistant Manager. Instead I noted these sort of useful skills in my cover letter and explained how they were applicable to the job I was applying for.

Even my warehouse experience was useful when I applied into my current position because I used it to demonstrate my organization and time management skills as well as my understanding of all logistical aspects of a business from front to back end and the varying human resources needs in different departments.

Plumb your past for anything useful, you can dig it out of there if you look hard enough. Much of the most useful experience you have in life comes from the least likely seeming places.

Accounting is something you really need at least some kind of education to get into... that in itself will provide experience. See if there are schools that offer a work-experience program.

That said, my wife got into insurance without any experience or education... in fact, pretty much by accident: she started a couple days a week at reception, filling in for a girl who was going to school... was on full time within a week or two. She was lucky enough to land at a company that was willing to pay for all the training and certification up-front, so she worked her way up from there and within five years became their first CIP-certified underwriter.

Do you have a degree/diploma related to accounting? If not, you will have one hell of a time trying to find an accounting job.

why not apply at a bank they will pay for you training if it benefits them

I agree a bank teller is a good start but make sure you don't get stuck in that position. Always look ahead.

But I really recommend getting an education. The friends I grew up with (not counting the rich kids or drug dealers) that didn't get much of an education past high school are not doing very well later in life career wise and Van is really fucking expensive city to live in right now.