Finding a job just after graduation can feel challenging if you have no internships or prior professional experience. You’re often competing against people with a fuller resume and years of work experience behind them. It’s very easy to feel like you’re caught up in a catch-22 situation where you need work experience to find work.
However, the fact is that there are numerous opportunities open to people with minimal or no experience. There have to be, or else no one would ever be able to build a career. Plenty of companies out there make it a point to take in entry-level candidates for job categories that are a perfect fit for recent graduates.
What’s more, they’re not necessarily stingy with the pay either. We often have the stereotype of a broke twenty-something, but some of the best jobs for college grads with no experience provide fair compensation for candidates with the right skills and commitment. Here are some of the roles you can look into if you’re in the middle of finding a job after graduation:
- Salesperson
Sales jobs often get a bad rap, but they’re a great way to build vital skills that will be invaluable to you later on in your career. They can help you get over a fear of talking to people, develop your soft skills, and teach you how to deal with rejection. It also makes you a good listener and an effective communicator in any situation.
It’s one of the best jobs for college grads with no experience because most companies out there need salespersons to sell their products and services. Not all sales deals happen at the same level, but the skill sets involved are the same. Moreover, salespersons are on the ‘frontlines’ so to speak. They’re the ones interacting with the customers every day and they often have a better understanding of their pain points, industry dynamics, and the pros and cons of the company’s products. This is knowledge you can use to make a lateral shift into other company departments, such as marketing or product development.
- Data Analyst
It’s one of the best jobs for college grads with no experience because data analysts are ubiquitous. Everyone from financial service companies to consumer goods manufacturers, healthcare organizations, and hospitality companies need them.
A data analyst interprets and structures data into information that a business can use. Responsibilities include collecting, interpreting, and organizing the data and then analyzing the results to pull business insights. It’s ideal for people with a head for numbers, but it’s also a job that requires creativity and business acumen. The way you present your data and how compelling your insights are can make a big difference to your business. With the right company, it can be one of the best paying jobs for college grads with no experience.
- Real Estate Agent and Broker
Property management can be a rewarding career even if you’re an entry-level candidate finding a job right after graduation. In most cases, all you need is a high school diploma and a state broker’s license to get started. You might have to put in a little bit of time prepping for the real estate exam that gets you your license, but it certainly doesn’t dissuade the millions of Americans who opt to try their hand at real estate.
If you’re personable and willing to work hard, it’s one of the best jobs for a college grad with no experience. In a recent survey, 85% of real estate agents said they were happy with their career choice and 71% of them were attracted to the earning potential of the job.
- Project Manager
A quality project manager can be an indispensable commodity for a business. From troubleshooting problems to clearing bottlenecks and ensuring cross-functional communication, a project manager is a vital cog in the enterprise machinery. As with many of the other best jobs for college grads with no experience, project management can teach you a range of skills, such as diplomacy, risk management, communication, and more.
Moreover, it’s often something that requires a learning curve even for experienced candidates. In most cases, project managers have to adapt to the processes, structure, and dynamics of the company in question, which makes it ideal for candidates to find a job after graduation.
- Nonprofit Assistant
Nonprofit organizations often have limited budgets, which means that this may not be the most high-paying job right out of the gate. However, these organizations often look for commitment and a willingness to work hard more than anything else. If there’s a cause you particularly identify with and feel you can contribute to, this might be one of the best jobs for you, even as a college grad with no experience.
It’s also a chance to meet a lot of different people and get some real life experience under your belt, which is always going to stand you in good stead later on. There are lots of different kinds of nonprofits to choose from, including public health advocacies to legal aid offices, social rights groups, and diplomacy nonprofits.
- Client Relations
Managing client experience is a very important function for any business. Everyone from IT firms to consultancies, marketing agencies, and more employ people to manage client relationships. As jobs for college grads with no experience go, it’s one of the best ones out there. All you need is a positive attitude and a nimble mindset to succeed.
Unlike sales, you don’t have to worry about bringing in new clients and meeting quarterly targets. Client relations is more about maintaining existing relationships and ensuring compliance with contractual agreements. In this role, you’re often the primary point of contact for the client, a supplier and partner interface, and bridge to service-level teams in your company.
It’s a myth that the best jobs are off-limits for college grads with no experience. Finding a good job after graduation is all about identifying your priorities. What are you really after? Higher pay? A relaxed lifestyle? Experience in a specific industry? With a targeted approach you can find a job that both fulfills your goals and offers you professional exposure.
At Whitman Associates, we’re proud to serve as the go-to staffing experts in the D.C. area. If you’re a recent graduate, don’t hesitate to email your resume to resumes@whitmanjobs.com. Check out some of the best jobs for college grads with no experience on our job listings page. Browse through our career advice for entry-level and experienced professionals in the job market.
