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Chances of getting an administration job with no experience.

What are the chances of getting a job in administration with no work experience of this kind? I am sick of working in retail and that's all the experience I have. There must be a stepping stone to this job. Any ideas? I have a first class degree and level 2 qualifications in IT and business and administration.

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Original post by Ham22
What are the chances of getting a job in administration with no work experience of this kind? I am sick of working in retail and that's all the experience I have. There must be a stepping stone to this job. Any ideas? I have a first class degree and level 2 qualifications in IT and business and administration.


There is zero chance with no experience, but then you seem to have quite a bit of experience. There is a big difference between experience (what employers are looking for) and work experience (which you only have a bit of).

You need to look at the administrative jobs you think you can do and work out exactly what skills the employer is looking for. Then you need to think up the evidence you have of those skills - only a small part might come from paid employment, but that doesn't matter - you probably have a lot more from other aspects of your life. So break it down into specific skills, not just general workplace experience.
Original post by Ham22
What are the chances of getting a job in administration with no work experience of this kind? I am sick of working in retail and that's all the experience I have. There must be a stepping stone to this job. Any ideas? I have a first class degree and level 2 qualifications in IT and business and administration.


I was exactly in your position straight after graduation but got headhunted by an agency doing office work. Have you registered with an agency or tried volunteering?
I got my first temporary role without going for an interview with the client. Some agencies don't require interviews but it pretty much depends on the clients, so you can just go straight into work with them.

Saying from my personal experience, I highly recommend agency work as obviously it gives you the experience and if you can do the job and impress the manager, they might extend your contract - or offer you a permanent position. If you want to gain more experience but for a different company, you are free within your rights to apply elsewhere! :smile:
(edited 7 years ago)
Civil Service jobs : https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk
Regularly advertise temp jobs that are a great way for grads to get credible experience.

Other good places to look are on the jobs page of your local Uni, or Unitemps, or the NHS jobsite - they will value your degree and the work is interesting. Go for fixed term contracts - fewer people apply for these jobs and it doesnt commit you to that organisation long-term

When you apply, play up the skills you have not your lack of work experience - you have successfully completed a degree so you have skills like time management, organisational skills, report writing etc. Retail has given you excellent customer service experience and the ability to think on your feet. You are a grad - you are bright and articulate. Emphasise this stuff!
(edited 7 years ago)
Reply 4
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Ham22
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15
Update: I'm currently on the work programme and am being signed up to voluntary work within administration, so things are looking up.
Original post by threeportdrift
There is zero chance with no experience


This is total nonsense.


There are several entry-level admin positions that would enable you to get your foot in the door and progress OP. That said, I'd compare your reasons for hating retail with your reasons for being attracted to admin vs the practicalities of working in admin... An office environment doing tedious computer work isn't for everyone - and the transition from a far more engaging, interactive, outward looking environment like retail can be difficult.

Either way, I'm glad you're half way there!
Original post by pmc:producer
This is total nonsense.


There are several entry-level admin positions that would enable you to get your foot in the door and progress OP. That said, I'd compare your reasons for hating retail with your reasons for being attracted to admin vs the practicalities of working in admin... An office environment doing tedious computer work isn't for everyone - and the transition from a far more engaging, interactive, outward looking environment like retail can be difficult.

Either way, I'm glad you're half way there!


If you actually read my post, you would, I hope, have understood the two points I was trying to make, first that applying for a job is like entering a competition, the employer is looking for the 'best' candidate, whatever that standard might be, and second that the OP does have administrative experience.

An employer is never going to select the second or third best candidate for a job. So if you present an application which demonstrates no relevant experience, then you aren't going to get the job whilst any other applicant shows even the slightest glimmer more experience than you, or if you were the only applicant.

People who take the approach "I haven't got any work experience' and "it's a catch 22 I can't get experience because I can't get a job because I have no experience" are fundamentally misunderstanding how experience and employment work. Employers don't toss a coin to decide who to employ, not matter how 'entry level' the job is.
Original post by threeportdrift
If you actually read my post, you would, I hope, have understood the two points I was trying to make, first that applying for a job is like entering a competition, the employer is looking for the 'best' candidate, whatever that standard might be, and second that the OP does have administrative experience.

An employer is never going to select the second or third best candidate for a job. So if you present an application which demonstrates no relevant experience, then you aren't going to get the job whilst any other applicant shows even the slightest glimmer more experience than you, or if you were the only applicant.

People who take the approach "I haven't got any work experience' and "it's a catch 22 I can't get experience because I can't get a job because I have no experience" are fundamentally misunderstanding how experience and employment work. Employers don't toss a coin to decide who to employ, not matter how 'entry level' the job is.



Don't worry I read your post - and I've read your clarification here - and the statement "there is zero chance with no experience" is still absolutely nonsense. The very fact that you're sat here trying to justify the statement tells me it is indeed you that's fundamentally misunderstanding something or other.



Don't assume the OP will be up against candidates with far superior experience, particularly for an entry level position - which is all he or she is qualified to do. Rather, focus on the skills and potential demonstrated through the recruitment process - his first class degree shows commitment and aptitude regardless of discipline, his IT qualifications show an interest in the area and capability, the rest is down to how genuine his enthusiasm, interest, and potential are deemed to be during the recruitment process.

You're right, an employer will always choose the best person for the job. But don't let that sentence cloud your judgement.

If we have two candidates, one with 2 years’ experience doing general admin duties with plenty business awareness and an interest in admin - who performs poorly during the application process and who comes across as lacking any real ambition and who may not fit in with the wider company objectives.

Another with no admin experience but a keen interest evidenced by his or her pursuit of IT/admin related qualifications, who understands the direction of the company and how their role facilitates that - whom has shown bundles of enthusiasm and initiative throughout the process...


The experienced hire here isn't the best person for the job. Sure, 'experience' opens the door, but it means nothing with we look at other variables. (For an entry level position that is)


You’re absolutely wrong to argue the OP has ‘zero chance’ based on lack of experience. For all you know he could be a student/junior member of a professional body, studying for foundation qualifications and know his specific industry inside out – all of which when coupled with genuine passion for the sector would place him above the average Joe who’s worked in admin for a year or two.
(edited 7 years ago)
Reply 8
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Ham22
OP
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Original post by pmc:producer
This is total nonsense.


There are several entry-level admin positions that would enable you to get your foot in the door and progress OP. That said, I'd compare your reasons for hating retail with your reasons for being attracted to admin vs the practicalities of working in admin... An office environment doing tedious computer work isn't for everyone - and the transition from a far more engaging, interactive, outward looking environment like retail can be difficult.

Either way, I'm glad you're half way there!


I'd hardly call 30 to 40 hours a week sat on the checkouts 'engaging' or like the exciting whirlwind you describe. It's soul destroying. Hence why i never want to go back.
Original post by Ham22
I'd hardly call 30 to 40 hours a week sat on the checkouts 'engaging' or like the exciting whirlwind you describe. It's soul destroying. Hence why i never want to go back.


It depends.. You either like customer engagement and a fast-paced environment, or you don't. Believe me, spend 40 hours a week processing invoices or filing and tell me retail isn't better.

As with both jobs, entry-level positions are mundane. It's not until you start to grab opportunities and progress that they become enjoyable.
P.s. the initial point still stands... Checkouts will arguably be more engaging - to what extent is subjective.
Reply 11
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Ham22
OP
15
Original post by pmc:producer
It depends.. You either like customer engagement and a fast-paced environment, or you don't. Believe me, spend 40 hours a week processing invoices or filing and tell me retail isn't better.

As with both jobs, entry-level positions are mundane. It's not until you start to grab opportunities and progress that they become enjoyable.


I can't emphasise enough how boring sitting on the checkouts and scanning stuff from one direction to the other is.
Original post by Ham22
I can't emphasise enough how boring sitting on the checkouts and scanning stuff from one direction to the other is.


I've had experience of both, and please - believe me when I say filing or processing is at best, equally tedious.
Original post by pmc:producer
I've had experience of both, and please - believe me when I say filing or processing is at best, equally tedious.


There are some if not most offices that are fast paced, so I do understand why employers ask for previous experience.

I work in recruitment (sales based) and I've seen a lot of people in the office come and go in a short period of time (as they were on probation) because they simply couldn't handle that type of working environment.
Employers also look for personality other than skills as they want to know how well you can adapt to changes and how you would handle things in a particular situation.
(edited 7 years ago)
Original post by Boreism
There are some if not most offices that are fast paced, so I do understand why employers ask for previous experience.

I work in recruitment (sales based) and I've seen a lot of people in the office come and go in a short period of time (as they were on probation) because they simply couldn't handle that type of working environment.
Employers also look for personality other than skills as they want to know how well you can adapt to changes and how you would handle things in a particular situation.


Totally agree...
Also worth noting that cold calling and winning business isn't a typical office environment...
Original post by pmc:producer
Also worth noting that cold calling and winning business isn't a typical office environment...


My job doesn't involve that, but most people do think its boring and tedious. Thing is its not really because as you would imagine recruitment is a busy industry.
Original post by Boreism
My job doesn't involve that, but most people do think its boring and tedious. Thing is its not really because as you would imagine recruitment is a busy industry.


I have experience in recruitment - odd that your day doesn't involve cold calling and winning business. Hard to imagine that's a sustainable model!

In anycase, we're largely in agreement regarding office jobs being polarized.
Original post by pmc:producer
I have experience in recruitment - odd that your day doesn't involve cold calling and winning business. Hard to imagine that's a sustainable model!

In anycase, we're largely in agreement regarding office jobs being polarized.


The agency I work for only deals with temporary recruitment in the pharmacy and optometry industry so no need to cold all and also they are the nation's leading agency for locums.

Working in recruitment has virtually opened my eyes to people's 'working' attitudes (or lack of it!) thats why our opinions are near enough around the same. :smile:
Original post by Boreism
The agency I work for only deals with temporary recruitment in the pharmacy and optometry industry so no need to cold all and also they are the nation's leading agency for locums.

Working in recruitment has virtually opened my eyes to people's 'working' attitudes (or lack of it!) thats why our opinions are near enough around the same. :smile:


A good friend of mines works for a boutique specialist in London where demand for workers exceeds supply - maybe similar to yours.

That said, the results are candidates who demand higher sums than the employer wishes to pay and a lot of LinkedIn headhunting...

Not sure if your last comment there was a nod in agreement or a sarcastic insult... As I appreciate a bit of sarcasm, I'll take it well.

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