You can get a job with no experience and no degree. The people who do it fastest pick one realistic first role, get the one credential that role asks for, and apply where employers screen for skills instead of diplomas.
You are not a rare case. Opportunity@Work, a nonprofit that studies hiring, counts more than 75 million US workers who built their skills through jobs, training, or the military instead of a four-year degree.
The hard part is the first job: without a work history, your resume has nothing for a recruiter to check, and many online applications get filtered out before a person reads them. This guide is about getting past that point.
We also read what job seekers say on Reddit, where a recent r/GetEmployed thread asked exactly this question. Their advice shows up throughout, including the parts that are uncomfortable to hear.
Here is the plan:
- Pick a first job you can realistically get.
- Get one credential or proof of skill for that job.
- Write a resume that shows what you can do.
- Apply where employers hire people without degrees.
- Prepare for the interview.
- Use the first job to get the second one.
Step 1: Pick a first job you can realistically get
Start with a specific job title, not “anything that pays well.” Recruiters hire for titles, and you can only prepare for something you can name. Several Reddit commenters said the same thing to the original poster: nobody can help until you know what field you want.
Good first targets share three traits. The employer trains you on the job, the entry credential takes weeks or a few months rather than years, and the job leads somewhere after 12 to 24 months.
These are common jobs with no degree and no experience required, grouped by what gets you in the door:
| Entry-level job | What usually gets you hired | Where it can lead |
|---|---|---|
| Customer service or call center rep | Reliability, typing speed, a clear phone voice | Team lead, account manager, customer success |
| Sales development rep (SDR) | Confidence on the phone, a short sales course | Account executive, with commission |
| Warehouse or logistics associate | Showing up on time; forklift certification helps | Shift lead, inventory control, supply chain coordinator |
| Administrative or office assistant | Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, typing | Office manager, HR assistant, bookkeeper |
| IT help desk technician | CompTIA A+ or the Google IT Support Certificate | Network or systems administrator |
| Phlebotomist, CNA, or medical assistant | A state-approved certificate program | LPN, surgical tech, other clinical roles |
| Apprentice electrician, plumber, HVAC tech, or welder | Acceptance into an apprenticeship | Licensed journeyman |
| Commercial truck driver | Commercial driver’s license (CDL) | Owner-operator, dispatcher, trainer |
| Government clerk or maintenance worker | Passing the civil service exam or posting requirements | Higher pay grades with stable benefits |
Pay varies a lot by state and city, so check the job title in the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook before you commit. It lists typical education, training, and median pay for each occupation.
What Reddit warns about. In the r/GetEmployed thread, the top replies were skeptical of two popular paths. One commenter wrote that IT “is flooded with people overqualified trying to get any job” and recommended at least CompTIA A+, then Network+ and Security+. Another said web development is harder to break into than it used to be, because AI tools now build simple websites. These paths still work, but expect more competition and plan for more than one certificate.
A quick way to choose. Write down two or three jobs from the table. For each one, search your city on a job board and count how many postings you see this week. Then read five postings and note the requirements that repeat. Pick the job with the most local openings whose requirements you can meet within three months.
Step 2: Get one credential or proof of skill
Without a degree or job history, a hiring manager needs another reason to believe you can do the work. One short, recognized credential tied to your target job gives them that reason. Collecting random certificates does not.
Certifications that help you get a job without a degree
Pick the certification that shows up most often in the postings you read in Step 1. Common ones include:
- IT: CompTIA A+ is the usual first step for help desk roles. Google’s IT Support Certificate is another starting point.
- Office and data: the Google Career Certificates in data analytics, project management, and IT support. Google says they take 3 to 6 months at under 10 hours a week and need no prior experience.
- Healthcare: CNA, phlebotomy, and medical assistant programs at community colleges and vocational schools. Requirements are set by each state, so check yours.
- Warehouse and construction: forklift certification and OSHA 10, both short courses.
- Driving: a CDL from a licensed truck driving school. Some carriers pay for the training if you agree to drive for them for a set time.
Before you pay for any course, check two things. Does a real job posting in your area ask for it? And does the school publish its completion and job placement numbers?
Paid apprenticeships: earn while you train
An apprenticeship is a paid job with training built in. You work under an experienced worker, take related classes, and finish with a credential recognized across the industry. For people with no degree and no experience, it is one of the most reliable routes into the trades, and more programs now exist in healthcare, IT, and manufacturing.
According to the US Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship.gov, more than 800,000 people train as apprentices each year. Graduates earn an average starting salary of $86,000, and 93% stay employed after finishing. You can search open programs by location in its Apprenticeship Finder.
Apprenticeships can be competitive, and some only accept applications at certain times of year. If you miss a window, look for a pre-apprenticeship program or a helper job with a contractor while you wait.
No budget? Build proof for free
If you cannot afford a course yet, make proof you can show:
- Volunteer for a role close to your target job, such as front desk work at a nonprofit or IT setup at a community center.
- Do one small, real project. Build a spreadsheet tracker for a local business or fix computers for friends and write down what you did.
- Count work you already do. Caregiving, gig driving, retail, and running a resale side business all build skills employers pay for: scheduling, handling money, and dealing with upset customers.
Step 3: Write a resume with no experience that still gets read
A resume with no work history should open with what you can do, not with where you went to school. Use this order:
- Name and contact details, plus a LinkedIn link if you have a profile.
- Two-line summary naming the job you want. Example: “Reliable, detail-focused job seeker with CompTIA A+ certification, looking for an IT help desk role in Phoenix.”
- Skills section that copies the exact wording from the posting where it is true for you: “Microsoft Excel,” “cash handling,” “Windows troubleshooting.”
- Certifications and training, with completion dates.
- Experience, including volunteer work, projects, caregiving, gig work, and informal jobs. Describe each one with a number when you can: “Scheduled appointments for 3 family members with 12 medical visits a month.”
- Education, with your high school diploma or GED at the bottom.
One version will not fit every posting. Keep a master resume, then change the summary and skills section for each job type you apply to. Many companies screen applications with software that looks for keywords from the posting first.
Apply when the degree is “preferred”
If a posting says a degree is preferred, apply anyway when you meet most of the other requirements. If it says required and the job is not licensed by law (like nursing or teaching), you can still try, but expect the online application to be screened out.
A commenter in the Reddit thread explained the reason clearly. Unless a degree is a legal requirement, you do not actually need it to do the job. But if it is listed as required, “you won’t get past HR/Recruiter phase without one,” so you have to reach the hiring manager directly. A former HR worker in the same thread said they often saw candidates hired for degree-required roles because the hiring team liked them in the interview.
Skills-based hiring: real but slow
Many large employers and state governments have announced they are dropping degree requirements. That helps, but a February 2024 report from the Burning Glass Institute and Harvard Business School found that for most companies the announcements have not yet turned into large changes in who actually gets hired. So treat “no degree required” as an open door, then make your case with proof of skills and a personal connection.
Step 4: Where to find jobs that don’t require a degree
Sending hundreds of online applications is the slowest route when you have no degree and no experience. Spend most of your time on channels where a person reviews you, not just a filter.
Free government job centers. The Department of Labor funds American Job Centers in every state. Staff there help with resumes, list local openings, and can tell you whether you qualify for paid training through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Find the closest one with the CareerOneStop locator.
Government employers. City, county, and school district jobs often list a high school diploma as the only education requirement, a point several Reddit commenters raised. State portals like California’s CalCareers have pages just for jobs with no degree required. For federal jobs, search USAJOBS and read the qualifications section, because many entry grades accept experience instead of a degree.
Apprenticeship programs and union halls. Search the Apprenticeship Finder, or call your local electricians’, plumbers’, or carpenters’ union and ask when they take applications.
Staffing and temp agencies. Agencies place people quickly in warehouse, admin, and call center roles. Many temp roles are “temp-to-hire,” meaning the company can offer you a permanent job after a trial period. Temp work also gives you a recent job and a reference for your resume.
Employers that pay for training. Large retailers, logistics companies, hospitals, and trucking carriers often offer tuition help or in-house training. One commenter in the thread said they found a company that would pay for her schooling while she worked full time.
The military. Enlisting provides paid training in hundreds of jobs. You need medical clearance and a qualifying ASVAB score, which affects which jobs you can choose.
How to reach the hiring manager
A referral or a direct conversation moves you past the resume filter. You can build these contacts from zero:
- Tell friends, family, former coworkers, and your faith or sports community the exact job title you want.
- Find two or three people on LinkedIn who already do that job locally. Send a short message: “Hi, I’m working toward a help desk role and just finished CompTIA A+. Could I ask you two quick questions about how you got started?”
- Visit small businesses in person during slow hours and ask for the manager. This works well for trades, auto shops, warehouses, and clinics.
- After you apply online, find the hiring manager’s name and send a short follow-up with your resume attached.
Step 5: Prepare for the interview
For entry-level roles, interviewers mostly want to know three things: will you show up, can you learn, and will you be easy to work with. Prepare a short, true story for each:
- Reliability: a time you kept a commitment, such as caring for a family member on a fixed schedule or never missing a shift at a part-time job.
- Learning: how you earned your certificate, including how many hours a week you studied while doing other things.
- Working with people: a time you calmed down an upset customer, neighbor, or relative.
If they ask about your missing degree, keep it short and move forward: “I chose to start working and train for this field directly. I finished my [certificate] in [number] weeks, and I’m ready to learn your systems.” Do not apologize for it.
At the end, ask one question that shows you plan to stay: “What does someone in this role usually move into after a year or two?”
Step 6: Use the first job to get the second one
Your first job does not need to be your dream job. Its main purpose is to give you a recent employer, a reference, and skills you can list. After that first year, your options open up because you now have experience.
While you are there:
- Ask your manager what skills the next position up requires, then work on those.
- Use any tuition help or training your employer offers.
- Keep a running list of results with numbers, such as tickets closed, orders shipped, or customers served. You will need it for your next resume.
- Stay at least 9 to 12 months if you can, so the job reads as real experience.
FAQ
What is the fastest way to get a job with no experience and no degree?
Apply to temp agencies, warehouses, retail, and call centers, which often hire within one or two weeks. At the same time, start a short certificate for the job you actually want so the first job leads somewhere.
Can I get a remote job with no degree and no experience?
It is possible but harder, because remote postings attract applicants from across the country. Customer support and data entry are the most common entry points. Be careful with any listing that asks you to pay for equipment or training upfront, which is a common scam pattern.
Is a career change without a degree realistic after 30?
Yes. Apprenticeships, trade schools, and certificate programs accept adult learners, and the life experience you already have counts in interviews. Focus on fields where your past work translates, such as moving from retail into customer success or from caregiving into healthcare support.
Do I need a degree for an IT job?
Not always. Help desk roles often hire people with CompTIA A+ or a similar certificate. Commenters on Reddit warned that entry-level IT is crowded right now, so plan to add Network+ or Security+ and to network with people in the field.
How do I get a job without a degree if every posting asks for one?
Look at different employers rather than applying harder to the same ones. Government jobs, apprenticeships, staffing agencies, and small local businesses ask for degrees far less often than large corporate office roles do. When a posting asks for a degree you lack, contact the hiring manager directly.