Jobs That Require No Experience – Giving You a Leg Up
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Job hunting has evolved a lot with the migration to online applications and remote work. And that means that you’ll be competing with people in your area and John Doe from the next state over. And John Doe might have a more impressive work history than you.
In my own experience, competing with John Doe is a nonstarter. If you’re fresh out of college, he’s already got you beat. You haven't amassed enough experience to stand out.
So how do you gain the much-needed experience to compete in today’s market? Well, you have to look for jobs that accept newbies and don’t require experience from the get-go. But it seems like a lot of jobs that require little or no experience pay less than this month’s rent.
That’s a big problem — especially if you like sleeping under a roof.
In this article
The first step in your job search is finding a good fit
Like paying rent? Need work experience? I’ve compiled a list of no-experience-required gigs for fellow job seekers. This list can help you get a jumpstart on your next search, or perhaps find an entry point into a new career.
Note: this isn’t a comprehensive list. There are many different entry-level jobs out there to find. It’s a good idea to look deeper into jobs that sound interesting. You may just find a related job that suits you better!
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Google is a great search resource, but I find I need a bunch of searches to get the big picture. And more often than not, I pull up blogs or articles with missing information.
An easy tool I use to search for different or related entry-level positions is the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website. The BLS gathers wage information, expected work environment overviews, and more for thousands of jobs.
To search, go to BLS.gov and type in the search bar a keyword related to the job you’d like. For this example, I’ll use “installer.”
Voila! This will pull up a bunch of installer jobs and related search results on the BLS.
Another way to search for related jobs is to take a look at the BLS.gov entry for the job you like. Often, you’ll be able to find a link to related occupations at the bottom of the entry page.
Job categories to narrow your search
Some jobs may require you to have a car or a fast internet connection. It’s important to know what you can do before you jump into a new role. Different job categories affect what you’ll need to do.
Heavy labor jobs
Heavy labor jobs include positions like assemblers, repairers, and manufacturers. These jobs will require you to show up to a destination like a factory or a client’s house, so you’ll need to have consistent transportation. You’ll also need to be able-bodied with enough know-how to use heavy equipment and tools safely.
Work-from-home jobs
Work-from-home jobs tend to involve data entry, writing, and interpersonal communication skills. Because you’ll be working remotely, you’ll need a strong and consistent internet connection. Depending on the job, you may need to invest in faster internet than you might currently have.
Driving jobs
Jobs in this category often involve delivering products. This may mean you’ll be driving your own car or driving a company-owned vehicle, like a van or truck. You’ll need to have a driver’s license. If you’re driving a semi, you’ll need to be properly licensed. If your job does not allow you to drive a company vehicle, you’ll need to have your own.
Related: 2023’s Highest-Paying Jobs
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Jobs
Once you’ve got a handle on what you can do, it’s time to start your search. Hopefully, one of the following jobs will fit you well or lead you to something better.
Administrative assistant
- Average salary: $41,000/year
- High school diploma required
- Communication and administrative skills preferred
If you have good communication and organizational skills, consider an administrative assistant job.
Administrative assistants provide a vital supporting role in office management. They arrange meetings and appointments, perform data entry, and more. Most administrative assistant jobs require only a high school diploma, but some workplaces do prefer a college degree. If you’re reliable and a good communicator, you very likely qualify.
As a first job, this should take you on a path to gain important work experience to impress future employers. And, depending on where you live, being an administrative assistant will pay well. The expected pay for an entry-level position is about $18/hour. The median annual wage for an administrative assistant is a little less than $41,000 per year.
Delivery driver
- Average salary: $34,000/year
- Driver’s license required
- Increasing job growth projected at 12%
Have a driver’s license, a car, and a high school diploma? Becoming a delivery driver could be the gig for you. As a delivery driver, you’d be responsible for transporting products safely and efficiently to local destinations. It’s especially helpful if you have a head for sales and a strong driving record.
Delivery drivers rake in an average of $34,000 per year with a projected growth of 12% in job availability in coming years. Keep in mind that if you become a light truck driver or drive a company vehicle, that can affect your costs. You’ll need to keep your equipment maintained and clean in addition to your delivery duties.
Real estate agent
- Average salary: $49,000/year
- Gain work experience in sales and business
- Set your own schedule
Working as a real estate agent is a great job if you have strong business, problem-solving, and organizational skills. If you’re looking for a gig that will give you sales experience while allowing you to set your own schedule, this might be the position for you. The median salary for a real estate agent is a little less than $50,000 per year, so depending on your area this may work out to pay your bills.
Real estate agents guide prospective homebuyers through the home-buying process. They do a lot, from showing buyers available homes in their ideal neighborhoods to finalizing the sale. Agents must work with a real estate broker, usually on a contract basis. Most real estate agents need only a high school diploma. But an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a related field can give you an edge on the market.
To become a real estate agent, you will need to be certified according to your state’s requirements and have a license.
Sales representative
- Average salary: $62,000/year for high school graduates
- Earn an average of $86,000/year in the science and tech industry
- Interpersonal and sales skills preferred
If you’re looking for sales experience, consider being a sales representative. Sales representatives seek out prospective customers and engage them in discussing the product. If you have a head for intimate product knowledge, this might be the job for you.
Outside of the science and tech industry, most sales representative postings require only a high school diploma. The median pay for these types of jobs is roughly $62,000 per year. If you want to sell technology, medicine, or other complex products, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in a related field. You’ll be getting even more in those industries — the median scientific or tech sales representative wage is over $86,000 per year!
Social media
- Average salary: $30,000/year
- Flexible job growth and diverse career experiences
- People skills and base social media knowledge are necessary
Are you Instagram savvy? With the right know-how and people skills, you can usually find an entry-level job in social media. Many social media positions allow you to work from home. That's a big plus if you lack consistent transportation or have little ones to care for.
To get into social media work, you’ll need two things: a working knowledge of social media platforms and networking tools. Jobs seekers looking for a flexible first job should know that social media does not generally pull in the big bucks starting out.
Entry-level social media jobs most often pay between $30,000 and $34,000 per year.
However, work in social media can be very diverse, from working part-time on contract to full-time with a marketing firm. Pay attention to job postings to see what fits your skill level and what works best for your needs.
Customer service representative
- Average salary: $35,000/year
- Remote work and work from home are available
- Communication skills and the ability to handle pressure required
If you’re calm and cool-headed under pressure, this might be for you. Working in customer service is great for building experience related to HR or telemarketing.
Customer service jobs tend to be in-person at a call center, but some positions allow you to do remote work from home. As a customer service rep, you’d be handling customer questions and aiding customers in ordering products. The downside is that you’d also deal with customer complaints.
Most customer service postings require only a high school diploma along with good communication and interpersonal skills. This gig tends to turn out an average salary of around $35,000 per year.
Medical assistant
- Average salary: $35,000/year
- On the job training and job growth projected at 18%
- Optional certification depending on the state
Looking for work experience in the medical field? If you’re detail-oriented and proficient in interpersonal skills, consider this. Medical assistants work in hospitals and other medical settings as support. They complete duties from data entry for medical records to administering injections or medications. One thing to note is that you might be working weekends and holidays depending on the setting.
Most states do not require certification. Also, if you have not gone through a training program you can find entry-level medical assistant jobs with on-the-job training. Certification can give you an edge on the market and provide necessary medical skills, though. At the very least, you should have a basic knowledge of medical terminology and anatomy.
Medical assistant jobs tend to offer an average salary of $35,000 per year. But job growth in this field is projected to grow by 18% in the coming years, which is faster than most other jobs.
Installers
- Average salary: $88,000/year for elevator and escalator installers
- High risk for high reward
- On the job training
Looking for a physically active job that pays well? Consider looking at a job as an installer. There are many jobs available installing and repairing equipment such as elevators or powerlines. These jobs tend to pay well because they are high demand physical labor jobs that carry a risk of injury.
For example, electrical powerline installers pull an average salary of $75,000 per year with only a high school diploma. Telecommunications line installers pull about $20,000 less per year on average for the same schooling. Both jobs require long-term on-the-job training, so it’s a good idea to look for an apprenticeship for your first job. Both of these jobs come with risks due to handling high-voltage electricity and other hazards.
Telecommunications equipment installers earn a median wage of $61,000 per year. Typically, you'll need a certification or associate’s degree in a related field. A plus is that equipment installers have a safer work environment and also receive on-the-job training for a shorter time than line installers.
The highest paying job on this list is elevator and escalator installer. You only need to have a high school diploma, and you’d receive on-the-job training from an apprenticeship. While there is a risk of injury from falling in an elevator shaft, the pay is nothing to sneeze at. Elevator and escalator installers pull an average salary of $88,000 per year!
Veterinary assistant
- Average salary: $30,000/year
- Earn work experience in medicine and animal healthcare
- Save and improve the lives of pets and livestock
If you like animals and medicine, you might consider becoming a veterinary assistant. Veterinary assistants don’t pull a high wage — the industry average is about $30,000 per year. But as a first job to gain work experience in the veterinary field, can be very rewarding.
Veterinary assistants support a veterinarian. They feed animals, clean cages, and administer medications. Most job postings ask only for a high school diploma. However, extra certification can give you a leg up on your competition.
There are two major downsides to working as a veterinary assistant, though. The job carries a health risk from bites, scratches, or other injuries inflicted by sick or scared animals. You’d also be witnessing animal tragedies, abuse, and neglect while on the job. This gig is not for the faint of heart.
Virtual assistant
- Average salary: Varies
- Gain work experience building administrative and secretarial skills
- Remote work/work from home
Are you a fast typist and highly self-motivated? If so, you might be a good fit for a virtual assistant role. Virtual assistant work can range from remote administrative assistance to secretarial work. You may be filling duties such as organizing events to social media management.
The downside? Entry-level and no-experience-required positions as a virtual assistant tend to pay low wages. To start making decent money, you’ll need to be in the field or come in with office experience already. Professional virtual assistants with more experience can earn up to $40 per hour.
If you’re looking for a job specifically to gain work experience, this might be the gig for you. A big plus is that virtual assistants work from home or remotely, so you can save money on your morning commute.
Truck driver
- Average salary: $47,000/year
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) required
- Travel for work
If you’re looking to travel long distances while getting paid, you might consider a job as a truck driver. Heavy and tractor-trailer drivers earn an average of $47,000 per year and receive on-the-job training. To become a truck driver, you’ll need a high school diploma and usually a certification from a professional truck driving school. Most certification courses take three to six months to complete.
The main requirement to become a truck driver is to meet your state’s qualifications for a CDL. Check your state’s requirements and look for legitimate paid training programs to save on certification costs.
Before becoming a truck driver, first, consider the risk of serious injury or worse from any collisions. The starting costs can also be expensive, as you’d need to get a CDL. But if you can finance your certification yourself or find a paid training program, the steady salary should speak for itself.
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Cost/Fees Breakdown
While these jobs don't require prior experience, some positions have hidden fees attached. Before you apply, here’s a brief breakdown of the potential costs linked to each job.
Job Title | Expected Salary | Requirements | Potential Costs/Fees |
Administrative Assistant | $41,000/year | High school diploma or equivalent required. Optional associate’s or bachelor’s degree in business or communication. | Average cost of an associate’s degree at a public college: $4,000/year. Average cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public college: $10,000/year. |
Delivery Driver | $34,000/year | High school diploma or equivalent required. Driver’s license required (cost varies by state and training method). Consistent access to a vehicle may be required. | Average driver’s license cost in Virginia: $89. Average driver’s license cost in Missouri: $10. |
Real Estate Agent | $49,000/year | High school diploma or equivalent required. State certification required. Optional associate’s or bachelor’s degree in business or a related field. | Total licensing, registration and certification fees vary by state but can add up to $2,000 starting out. Average cost of an associate’s degree at a public college: $4,000/year. Average cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public college: $10,000/year. |
Sales Representative | $62,000/year | High school diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree required for tech or medicine. | Average cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public college: $10,000/year. |
Social Media | $30,000/year | Knowledge of social media platforms required. Social media courses optional. | Social media training costs vary depending on course, for instance Hootsuite Academy Platform Certification costs $99. |
Customer Service Representative | $35,000/year | High school diploma or equivalent required. | $0 |
Medical Assistant | $35,000/year | High school diploma or equivalent required. Certification requirements vary depending on state. | Program costs vary by school, for instance the Central Community College full medical assisting program costs $6,300. |
Installers | $50-$88,000/year | High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate’s degree often required for telecommunications equipment installer. | Average cost of an associate’s degree in information technology: $18,000/year. |
Veterinary Assistant | $30,000/year | High school diploma or equivalent required. Animal handling experience recommended. Certifications optional. | Cost of online veterinary assistant program at Animal Behavior College (NAVTA-approved): $2,800-5,600. Scholarships available for military spouses. |
Virtual Assistant | $12-18/hour | High school diploma or equivalent required. | $0 |
Truck Driver | $47,000/year | High school diploma or equivalent required. Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) required. Professional truck driving school costs vary by school. | Commercial Driver’s Permit (CDP) + CDL total licensing and application fees vary by state. Total licensing and application fees in Alaska: $175. CDL school tuition can range from $1,500 to $8,000. Some companies offer paid training programs that reduce or eliminate CDL tuition costs. |
Pros and cons of entry-level and no experience jobs
Pros
- It’s easier to get a job with the education you already have.
- You can build up your resume to apply for better positions later.
- Most employers expect to give you on-the-job training or other help.
Cons
- Fewer requirements mean greater competition.
- Less experience usually means lower wages.
- High-wage entry-level jobs are often hazardous or risky.
The bottom line
Job hunting is not easy. And applying for jobs can be a downright drag. If you’re a job seeker trying to gain experience, keep your chin up. It gets much easier once you have your foot in the door.
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Writer
A veteran wordsmith and research nerd, Brittany Wren spent a decade working in higher education where she helped people overcome challenges to chart a path forward. These days, she writes about personal finance, careers, parenting and education. Her content has been published by a wide variety of brands including T-Mobile, Intuit, LifeLock, Reliant Fund Administration and CURO Financial Technologies Corp.
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