Already a member?
Welcome to Brazen Careerist!
Emily Ma is using Brazen Careerist to share ideas. Join now to become a member and start networking with Emily Ma and other professionals just like you. Learn more.
Brazen careerist
Where ambitious young professionals connect and grow
Email
Print
Cara asked: “I have no work experience, and therefore, no professional references. What should I do (other than not say that to a potential employer)?”
A lot of millennials are in the same situation she is, I’d like to share my response publicly.
You might not have any work references, but you most certainly have academic references or people who can speak to your character.
You might have a favorite professor (college) or teacher (high school) whose class you excelled in, consistently performed well, and so on. To this day, my best references come from my favorite marketing professor. I graduated in 2007. Think about teammates on sports teams you might have been a part of or classmates who worked with you on projects, anyone who can speak well of you and isn’t directly related to you.
If you are still coming up short – find a mentor, volunteer position, open source project, or something else you can work on for a length of time. Pick something interesting – like habitat for humanity or volunteering at a local Better Business Bureau. Over time you will gain someone who can speak as a reference, whether it’s a volunteer co-worker or the coordinator or even the recipient of the volunteer work.
No Work Experience wasn’t always this scary, but the economy that we’re facing at the moment is rife with peril for new entrants. My advice? Do as much networking as you can – get involved on MeetUp with a professional organization, do an Ignite speech – hell, start up an Ignite group if your town doesn’t have one.
Do anything and everything you can – claw for every inch. Collaborate, connect, and dream – but most importantly, DO SOMETHING.
For more timely, relevant, and engaging articles,
subscribe to Brazen Careerist.
- The Anti-Stalker’s Guide for Converting Online Contact into Real World Collaboration
- A New Kind of Business Mover and Shaker
- Why You Might Be Better Off Without a Job After College
- Continuing Education: Extending Learning Beyond Your Campus Years
- How To Find a Writing Partner Who Can Help You Achieve Your Goals and Make More Money
Comments
07.23.09
If there's a young professional organization in your city, get involved beyond the average member. Join a committee or start one.
I have a bunch of friends who do this, and it looks great on your resume.
My 2¢ ...
Got Something To Say?
Got Something To Say?
Not a Member? Brazen Careerist is a career management tool for next-generation professionals. Set up a free account today to comment on this post and start sharing your ideas. Learn more.
Login to view your networks!
 |
 |
 |
|
|
