Entry-Level Jobs 101: 4 Must-Know Tips
Are you a student looking for ways to earn some extra cash? Or someone with no work experience who’s desperately seeking a job? If so, this guide is perfect for you! The first step in finding the best entry-level jobs is to know what opportunities exist. This article will teach you about four strategies that are guaranteed to get you in the door. Read it now to learn:
Inbound Sales Representative
An Inbound Sales Representative is someone who calls companies, on the phone, and tries to convince them that they should be using a specific product or service. The first step in getting this job is to call local businesses and ask for the name of their vendor for (whatever you're selling). Then, once you have this info, contact the product manager and schedule a time to interview. You’ll want to prepare questions to ask them about their business and how exactly you can help them grow. This is likely the hardest part, since many company representatives don’t have time to talk with you. However, if you can arrange phone interviews with product managers, it might be worth your time to pursue.
Customer Service Representative/Receptionist
If that Inbound Sales position isn’t for you, consider customer service and receptionist jobs. You’ll work straight from home and spend most of your time fielding calls from customers in their homes or offices. This job provides a flexible schedule that allows you to use days off for school or other activities without having to go into the office during your preferred class times. First and foremost, you’ll need a computer and a clean area to take calls. A sharp phone voice is also essential. The more outgoing you are, the better chance you have of landing this job. Once you begin work, you’ll be answering calls and taking messages for your clients on a daily basis. You’ll input their information into the computer and schedule appointments as necessary. You may also be required to physically visit some customers to take measurements or place orders. In addition to those duties, you’ll also be required to answer emails, find coupons for your clients, and mail out invoices periodically. If you have experience in the hospitality industry – from being a server or bartender – this job could be a good fit for you. Other less common responsibilities include answering inquiries regarding shipping details and handling customer service calls from home. The key is learning how to handle each type of call and each type of customer appropriately. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if there are any questions about your skills on the job front!
Call Center Representative
Call center reps are just like call center representatives, but with computers instead of phones. They are responsible for interacting with customers via Skype, email, or on the computer and may occasionally be required to call clients directly. You’ll be researching company information, creating reports, and assisting customers remotely. Some companies will train you to become a virtual assistant who will work from home assisting clients directly. This is a side business that can also supplement your entry-level job income. Other companies might have you providing customer service and calling clients to set up appointments and schedule shipments out of the office. On top of all that, they may also require you to use social media as a marketing tool. Depending on their policies, you may be able to work part-time and still maintain your normal class schedule. If you have no experience, this could be a good place to start.
Prepare for Interviews
You’ll need to know exactly what you’re doing to get an entry-level job. If there’s any one piece of advice I can give you, it would be this: Prepare questions to ask the employer! This is your best chance at landing the job, so take advantage of it. Most importantly, find out if they offer benefits and how long they expect employees to work on average before they can leave for other opportunities. This information will greatly affect your decision to take the job. You’ll want to be working for a company that offers benefits, or at least a place that you’re comfortable with and think you may stay for a while. Also, make sure you know how much money you can expect to earn during training. Some positions require on-the-job training that is paid by the company but can last several months without any pay. Make sure the position is worth your time!
And finally, always prepare for an interview. You should research their website ahead of time and know about their products and services before asking any questions when you're in their office. We've covered a lot of ground in this article and I hope it has helped to inspire you to take action and get the job you want. The most important aspect of this is being open to opportunities that come your way. Don't wait around for the perfect job or a job that fits your skill set perfectly; instead, be proactive and work towards making yourself as useful as possible during your college education. You’ll need to network, volunteer, and create relationships with people in order to find these unseen jobs. They are out there! Also, never forget the importance of following up after every interview. Getting an entry-level job can be difficult but staying motivated and improving yourself is the only way you’ll make it from day one to graduation! (And don’t forget to check out our book!)
I hope this article helped you to find your first job or just inspired you to take action and do great things in the face of any adversity. Take care and rock on, friends.
About the Author:
Abel James is a lifelong health enthusiast, blogger and online entrepreneur. He is the bestselling author of The Wild Diet , regularly writes for the #1 health website in the world, and is a personal coach, nutritional consultant and certified fitness instructor. He has over 150,000 fans on his Facebook page where he shares daily in-depth information about his favorite subject: Wild Health .
Greg McKeown is an entrepreneur, executive coach & consultant. He is a sought-after speaker and best-selling author of "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less" ( Crown Business 2014 ). A Stanford MBA & University of Chicago Booth School of Business grad, he's worked at Apple, Bain Capital and McKinsey & Company.
Greg lives with his wife and four children in Silicon Valley.
Conclusion
Finding your first job in college can be difficult. I hope this article was helpful, and was able to inspire you. These jobs aren't necessarily the easiest; they range in difficulty based on your skill set and experience level. If you're a beginner, some of these may be better fits than others. It's important to do whatever you can to learn new skills if needed, use your knowledge of the hospitality industry to your advantage, and become more outgoing as time goes on.