Finding a job can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve just finished university, have yet to complete your education, or lack experience.
What to Do After University (or Without a Degree)
Today’s job market feels more competitive than ever, with entry-level positions demanding years of experience and businesses using technology to sift through candidates.
Whether you have a degree or not, it seems like you're battling an impossible system.
But here’s the reality: you can make it work. It’s about knowing how to play the game, create opportunities, and persist through the hurdles.
Let’s break down how to navigate this tricky landscape and set yourself up for success.
First Things First: Degrees vs. No Degree – How Much Does It Matter?
A common worry is that your chances of getting a good job are significantly reduced if you don’t have a degree.
But is that truly the case?
Sure, some professions—like medicine or law—need formal qualifications, but employers care about skills, attitude, and experience in many industries.
If you’ve finished university, you’ve likely got a lot of valuable skills, even if they aren’t relevant. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and time management are all vital in the workplace. If you didn’t finish school or don’t have a degree, that doesn’t automatically put you out of the race.
You can still thrive by focusing on skills and experience rather than formal education.
Are you ready for the job market even if you finish a degree? It depends. In my field, I look for attitude and mindset.
Some candidates surprise us with tremendous potential, while others lack a business approach.
If you’re a software engineer, looking into Meta’s interview process is an excellent way to reframe your thinking and be well-prepared.
The job market is shifting, emphasising what you can do rather than what certificates you hold. Employers want to know if you can deliver, collaborate effectively, and learn quickly.
Most companies want people to start delivering in a short time.
Long goes the time where you had 3 to 6 months to prepare until you start producing. Now, you need to take that step and determine the suitable online courses. However, some companies still cherish their workforce by utilising cross-collaboration, coaching, and other skills.
Tech giants like Google and Apple no longer require degrees for many roles—they’re more interested in candidates’ abilities.
It would help if you were excellent at the fundamental level.
FlexJobs is an excellent option for searching for a Job.
How to Gain Experience When You Don’t Have Any
You’ve have seen those frustrating job listings that ask for “3 years of experience” for an entry-level role.
It feels impossible. Here’s where you need to think outside the box and find ways to build that experience, whether unpaid or in a less-than-glamorous job.
1. Start Small: Entry-Level and Part-Time Jobs
When I began my career, I was stacking shelves in a supermarket and helping customers carry their bags to the car. It wasn’t glamorous, but it taught me valuable lessons about discipline, customer service, hard work and intelligence. These “starter jobs” do not relate to your dream career, but they can help you build the soft skills employers love—like communication and teamwork.
Working at a fast-food restaurant or retail store be irrelevant, but it helps to show you’re reliable, able to work under pressure and have a good attitude. When you apply for more prominent roles, you can spin this experience into demonstrating your work ethic.
2. Look for Volunteering or Internship Opportunities
If you’re struggling to get your foot in the door, volunteering or interning can be an excellent way to build experience. Many charities and small companies are happy to take on extra help for a few hours a week. This can be a great way to develop industry-relevant skills without the pressure of a formal job. Plus, if you impress them, they offer you a paid role when a vacancy arises.
3. Side Projects and Freelance Gigs
If you want to enter a field like graphic design, coding, writing, or marketing, start working on side projects now. Build a website, blog, or volunteer to help small businesses with social media. These experiences count as practical skills and can be showcased in your CV or portfolio.
Freelancing platforms like Upwork or Fiverr allow you to offer your services to clients on a project-by-project basis. Even small gigs can help you accumulate experience and build a professional reputation.
Getting Noticed: CVs, Cover Letters, and ATS Systems
Once you have some experience, you must ensure your application materials work for you, not against you. This is where it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially with the rise of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that scan CVs and weed out candidates before a human sees them.
1. Creating a Strong CV
If you’re struggling with creating a CV, don’t worry—you’re not alone. A CV is essentially a marketing tool. It must showcase your most relevant skills and experience while reading straightforwardly.
Start with your contact details, then move on to a personal profile, outlining who you are and what you’re looking for in a couple of lines. After that, list your experience, focusing on responsibilities and achievements that relate to the job you’re applying for. Use bullet points to keep it concise.
Make sure you tailor your CV for each application. One size doesn’t fit all—employers want to see that you’ve tried to align your experience with their needs.
2. Optimising for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
Many companies now use ATS to filter out candidates before they even reach a recruiter. These systems scan your CV for keywords that match the job description, so it’s crucial to adapt your application to each job. Use the exact words and phrases from the job listing where relevant, and avoid graphics or unusual formatting, as these can confuse the system.
3. Writing a Cover Letter That Stands Out
A strong cover letter allows you to show some personality and explain why you’re excited about the role. Keep it short and sweet—no more than a page—and highlight the essential skills and experiences that make you a great fit.
Use the cover letter to address any gaps in your CV, like why you might apply without a degree or with limited experience. Be honest, but frame it positively, focusing on how your unique background makes you a strong candidate.
Preparing for Interviews
The next step is the interview if your CV and cover letter get you through the door. For many, this is the most nerve-wracking part of the process. But remember, interviews are as much about your fit with the company culture as they are about ticking off skills on a checklist.
1. Do Your Research
Before any interview, understand the company, its values, and the role you’re applying for. Go through the job description and think of examples from your past (even if it’s school projects or part-time jobs) where you’ve demonstrated the required skills.
2. Practice Common Questions
Some questions come up time and time again: “Tell me about yourself,” “Why do you want to work here?” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” Prepare answers to these in advance, ensuring you relate them to the job.
3. Show Enthusiasm and a Willingness to Learn
Especially if you lack experience, employers want to see that you’re eager and willing to learn. If you don’t know something, be honest, but show you’re committed to gaining the necessary knowledge. Enthusiasm can make up for a lot when landing a job.
Leveraging Technology: How AI and Digital Tools Can Help
In today’s job market, AI and digital tools can make searching for and landing a job much more manageable. Platforms like LinkedIn, job boards, and resume builders are just the start. Let’s explore how technology can work in your favour.
1. Using AI to Improve Your CV and Cover Letter
AI tools like Teal can help you tailor your CV and cover letter to each job posting. These tools analyse job descriptions. They highlight essential keywords.
They even score your CV based on how well it matches the job listing. This ensures you’re making it through those ATS filters.
2. Job Alerts and Networking on LinkedIn
LinkedIn isn’t just a place to upload your CV; it’s a powerful networking tool. Follow companies you’re interested in, connect with professionals in your desired field, and engage with their content. This keeps you visible to recruiters and can even lead to direct job offers.
Set up job alerts on LinkedIn and other job boards. Receive notifications when roles that match your criteria are posted. This way, you can apply early, increasing your chances of getting noticed.
Overcoming Ageism and Unrealistic Expectations
The modern job market comes with challenges for everyone—whether you’re young, just starting, or older and feeling the effects of Ageism. It’s disheartening to see entry-level jobs requiring 3-5 years of experience, but not all companies seek cookie-cutter candidates.
1. Breaking Through as a Young Applicant
If you’re starting, the lack of experience can be a significant barrier. However, many companies recognise the value of fresh perspectives. They know younger candidates bring energy, adaptability, and new ideas.
Make sure to highlight any personal projects, volunteer work, or internships you’ve done. If you’ve run a blog, coded a website, or organised a charity event, that’s the experience you should showcase.
2. Navigating Ageism as an Older Candidate
Conversely, older candidates often face subtle (or not-so-subtle) bias when applying for jobs. While this is frustrating, the best approach is to focus on your strengths—experience, reliability, and a proven track record.
Consider updating your skills through online courses or certifications.
This will show you’re up-to-date with the latest tools and technologies. Platforms like Coursera and Udemy offer flexible, affordable courses that can help bolster your CV.
Stay Grounded
It’s easy to get caught up in exaggerated promises of quick success. You often see claims of high salaries on social media or streaming platforms. Some influencers make it like landing your dream job is just clicking a few buttons or using a simple formula. While these stories can be entertaining, taking them with a pinch of salt is essential. Job hunting is rarely easy, and anyone telling you otherwise is likely sugar-coating the process.
To reach the level of success you aspire to, you must put in the work and make intelligent, informed decisions. Jobs won’t just fall into your lap, even with a consistent effort. That said, consistency is essential—but it’s not everything. What you also need is strategy. Mistakes will happen, and they’re part of the process. The key is to learn from them, adapt, and push ahead.
Rather than sticking to a single approach that isn’t yielding results, consider leveraging your existing knowledge and exploring alternative pathways. You can expand your skills or branch out into new industries.
Simply adjusting your job search tactics is also an option. Flexibility and resilience will ultimately lead to success.
Communication and Empathy: The Unspoken Keys to Success
Technical skills are often highlighted as the most important, but there’s a growing recognition that soft skills—like communication and empathy—can make or break your career.
No matter how talented or technically proficient you are, if you can’t relate to others, work effectively in a team, or approach problems with a sense of understanding, you’ll find it much harder to succeed in any workplace.
I’ve worked with plenty of brilliant minds—people who are incredibly skilled in their field—but some lack empathy or the ability to communicate effectively.
Conversely, I’ve encountered engineers who may not be the most technically gifted but excel because they’re excellent communicators and collaborators who genuinely care about helping others.
Being kind, approachable, and helpful creates a positive environment where collaboration can thrive. Empathy allows you to understand your colleagues’ perspectives, making working together easier and solving problems as a team. These traits aren’t just about getting along with others; they foster innovation, improve efficiency, and ultimately make you a valuable employee.
Building and expanding your network is another critical aspect of professional growth.
Sometimes, the best opportunities come from a simple conversation or a helping hand you’ve offered. By being empathetic and communicative, you’re not just building a skill set—you’re building relationships that could lead to future opportunities.
People often remember how you made them feel, and those connections can be just as valuable as any technical certification on your CV.
Conclusion: Persist, Adapt, and Keep Moving Forward
You’ve just finished university. You didn’t complete your education or lack formal experience.
Still, the job market has opportunities for you. The key is persistence and adaptability.
Gaining any work experience, volunteering, or doing freelance gigs will start building the foundation you need. Tailor your CV and cover letters to the specific roles you’re targeting, and learn how to beat the ATS systems.
Use AI tools and platforms like LinkedIn to your advantage, and never stop developing new skills. Most importantly, keep your attitude positive.
Enthusiasm, willingness to learn, and the ability to adapt are traits employers value more than ever.
Your career is a journey. And you need to try, as much as you can.
The start may feel rocky. However, every small step you take will get you closer to the destination.
Be patient, be bold, and keep pushing forward. The perfect role is out there, and with the right approach, you’ll land it.