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Looking to branch into a new industry (or looking for your first job ever)? These jobs don't require the extensive experience you may need elsewhere.
Searching for an entry-level gig can be tough, especially if you're looking for your first job ever or you're changing careers completely. Luckily, there are more opportunities out there for people with no experience in a given field than you'd think. In fact, many of them have great opportunities to advance once you've been at it for a few years, too. Take a look at our top picks and get those applications ready—no matter how short your resume is.
1. Customer Service Representative
Average Salary: $30,688
Love talking to people? Being a customer service representative may just be your perfect fit. You'll likely be required to take a training course to learn company policy wherever you get hired, but aside from that, no other preparation is needed. Desirable qualities in an entry-level customer service rep include good communication skills, friendliness, and a positive, team-player attitude.
2. Home Care Aid or Home Health Aid
Average Salary: $11/hr.
If you have an interest in caring for others, becoming a home care aid could be a good option for you. For some people, helping the elderly and sick with their day-to-day tasks is incredibly fulfilling. Depending on where you live, it's likely that you'll need a valid driver's license, and some jobs require a home aide certification, which you can sometimes earn while on the job.
3. Publicity Assistant or Public Relations Assistant
Average Salary: $45,498
If you've dreamed of working in publicity, you're in luck. Public relations firms often seek out fresh candidates so they can mold them to their exacting standards. You'll need to be a strong writer, and above all, a people person. Many larger public relations firms offer rotational programs for the first one to two years, so you can explore different areas of the business and learn more about your strengths and weaknesses.
4. Real Estate Agent
Average Salary: $51,879
To become a real estate agent, you'll need to take a 60-hour course, but aside from that, no previous experience is required. An entrepreneurial spirit and can-do attitude will serve you well in this profession, as most agents work on commission, meaning the more you sell, the more you make.
5. Sales Account Representative
Average Salary: $45,459
If you're the kind of person who can talk others into doing pretty much anything, sales is likely your forte. Whether you're selling a product to other businesses or to individual consumers, being persuasive, engaging, and friendly will get you far in this role. There are a range of levels of experience desired for these positions, but many are clearly marked “entry-level,” and those are the ones you should focus on. Most gigs in this field prefer or require a Bachelor's degree, but there are exceptions.
6. Medical Assistant
Average Salary: $33,719
Working in a hospital or doctor's office environment is a goal for some people, and becoming a medical assistant is a great way to get your foot in the door. Medical assistants do everything from interfacing with patients to work the front desk of an office or department. As you get more experience, you are often given the opportunity to choose a medical specialty, which can be a great pathway to a more senior position.
7. Administrative Assistant
Average Salary: $44,950
An administrative assistant generally handles all kinds of paperwork, phone calls, email correspondence, and scheduling. Sometimes, people in these roles are also asked to sit in on meetings and take notes or help prepare deliverables for major projects the company is working on. These jobs are especially advantageous for those who aren't sure what they want to do within a larger company since admin assistants tend to have day-to-day contact with multiple departments. After getting some experience learning how the business works from the bottom up, you may be able to transition into a more specialized role.
8. Veterinary Assistant
Average Salary: $31,567
If you love animals and wouldn't mind being around them all day, this job is a no-brainer. Though you will have to complete a certification, some animal hospitals and vet offices will allow you to learn on the job. You'll need to be capable of lifting 40 to 50 pounds for a prolonged period of time (dogs can be heavy!), good with computers, and totally comfortable around a variety of animals. In most cases, a high school diploma is required.
9. Customer Care Specialist
Average Salary: $34,436
Although the two titles are sometimes used interchangeably, customer service reps usually work with individual consumers, and customer care specialists often work with other businesses that their company provides services to. The preferred attributes for the two jobs are quite similar, but customer care may be a better opportunity for someone interested in working in a more corporate environment.
10. Legal Assistant
Average Salary: $46,452
Are you the kind of person who loves to get down to the nitty-gritty? If you excel at writing, have a keen sense of grammar, and are hyper-organized, you may find your perfect fit in a legal assistant position. It's true, there are some legal assistant jobs that require significant experience, but there are quite a few entry-level positions to be found. As you get more senior, you can up your earning potential and even train to become a paralegal.
11. Medical Biller
Average Salary: $36,398
A medical biller is a person who communicates between a doctor's office and insurance companies. The job requires quite a lot of paper-pushing but is an excellent option for someone who is detail-oriented and doesn't mind using a computer for most of the day. Many entry-level job postings in this field require one to three months of experience or training, meaning you can take a medical billing course and count that as your experience.
Looking to branch into a new industry (or just want to land your first job)? Make sure your resume is up to par with a free review today!
Editor's Note: This piece was written by Julia Malacoff and originally ran on Glassdoor. It is reprinted with permission.