Jobs That Don't Need Experience

Many positions require no prior work experience.

In most cases, jobs that hire people with no work experience require little training and have high turnover. However, the opportunity to build a skill set and work your way up is possible in each of these positions: many “rags to riches” stories feature those who worked in low-paying jobs and climbed up the corporate ladder.

Restaurant Industry

Many jobs are available in the restaurant industry that require no previous work experience. Examples include busboys, hosts, servers and some restaurants that hire bartenders with no experience. Qualities that will help you get hired include a positive attitude, willingness to perform manual labor for long hours and a pleasant demeanor.

In addition to these "front of the house" jobs, many line chefs are hired with no prior cooking skills. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that many cooks and chefs enhance their skills by attending culinary programs, though it is common to learn cooking techniques on the job. The BLS states cooks must maintain personal hygiene as dictated by the state health codes, and leadership abilities and creativity are rewarded in this industry. As of May, 2008, the average yearly salary for a food preparer is $28,970.

Hospitality Industry

Working in the hospitality industry could mean working for a cruise line or resort. These companies hire people as reservation agents, front desk workers, bellhops, house cleaners and PBX operators. The primary goal of each position is to ensure the guest has a smooth check-in, enjoys his or her stay and that check-out is timely and efficient.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics explains that in each of these capacities, workers should have a friendly demeanor. The BLS states hiring managers look for people with strong communication skills and problems-solving abilities. The earnings for industry workers at the non-supervisory level in the hospitality industry are estimated by the BLS at $402 a week. Despite the low wage, working in these positions can lead to advancement.

Aviation Industry

The airline industry has a number of entry-level positions: customer service representatives, ramp workers and ticketing agents are a few. All of these positions require the employee to work varied shifts, including holidays, weekends and some overtime, if necessary. Most airlines offer on-the-job training for these functions in which the employee learns the computer system, how to find lost baggage, studies the ticketing process and is taught how to handle situations regarding reroutes and flight delays.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics warns that although obtaining the job of a travel clerk and ticketing agent requires little more than a high school diploma, competition for these jobs is fierce because of the benefits. These benefits include free or discounted airfare and in most cases, health insurance and a 401 (k) for full-time workers. The average salary for a customer-service ticketing clerk as of May 2008 is $31,070.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Chefs, Head Cooks, and Food Preparation and Serving Supervisors
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Hotels and Other Accommodations
• Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks