Not everyone goes to college or university. Some people want to switch career paths with no experience in the new industry. Whatever your reason for wanting to find a job that requires no experience, you’re in luck.
In this article, we’ll talk about:
- Jobs you can get with no experience
- Career paths you can begin without even applying with an employer
- Ways you can make a full time career out of doing what you love
Ready to start a new job? No matter your experience level or your education, a new career is just a short time away.
1. Freelance designer
Type of job: Freelance
Training needed: Online courses, self-taught
Where to find this job: International
Average pay: Moderate to high
Time to start job: One week
If you have played around with Photoshop or other editing software and can hold your own, you have what it takes to become a freelance designer. Now, we’re certainly not trying to criticize or minimize the work of those folks who have gone to school to become designers. But let’s face it – anyone with some tech savvy can do it.
It does help if you have an artistic eye, for sure. But no experience in graphic arts is required, nor is an art degree or even a remedial art class. You can begin your career as a freelance designer just as soon as you buy or obtain the photo editing software, and you’re on your way.
Ideas to get you started include designing book covers for authors, designing campaign logos for local politicians, business logos for local businesses and so on. Your startup costs are minimal, though it’s a good idea to have an online portfolio you can show to prospective clients. Once you’ve got that down, you’re on your way to becoming a freelance designer with no experience at all!
- Some people go to art and other types of school to become designers – you don’t have to!
- You can start your career with no experience – all you need is the right software
- Start your business locally, then expand to a broader client base
2. Security guard
Type of job: Employee or contractor
Training needed: Varies with position
Where to find this job: International
Average pay: Moderate
Time to start job: Around three months
The next job you can get with little to no experience is a security guard. Some security professionals have gone through law enforcement training, but most have not. Just consider the bouncers at the club you go to on Friday nights. Those guys aren’t police trained. They’re just big.
You can be a security guard with no experience, but you’ll probably need a little training. You might need to take a self-defense course. If you’ll be armed, you’ll likely need to take a firearms safety class or two. Check with your prospective employer to find out the exact requirements for the job you want.
Security guards aren’t always the safest people in the world, but in most cases the job is pretty tame. You may be asked to patrol a shopping center after hours, or a parking deck at night. Service stations and other locations are also in need of security guards.
Check with your local regulating offices to find out what sort of training you need, then get started. You could be a security guard in just a few weeks or months with no experience at all.
- Becoming a security guard is one of the easiest jobs to get with no experience
- You’ll likely need to take a few classes, so check with local authorities to find out
- You may be placed in all sorts of situations as a security guard, but they’re usually not super dangerous
3. Preschool teacher
Type of job: Employee
Training needed: None to certification
Where to find this job: In most countries
Average pay: Low to moderate
Time to start job: Immediate, depending upon certifications
What could be better than teaching our future generations their colors and numbers? Wouldn’t it make you feel good to know that you taught the CEO of a huge startup his alphabet? One of the most rewarding jobs out there that you can get with no experience is a preschool teacher.
Unlike teachers in grades kindergarten and higher, most states and countries don’t require that you become licensed or go to college to become a preschool teacher. In fact, you usually only need to finish lower school. You may not even need any certification at all.
Becoming a preschool teacher requires a few things of you: patience, a love of children and, oh yes. Patience. Kids are a mess at that age – literally – so you can’t be afraid of sticky noses and bottoms. But preschool teachers are usually very happy with their jobs – after all, who doesn’t want free hugs every day?
- Most preschool teaching positions require little to no experience at all
- Check with local regulations to determine whether you’ll need to become certified
- Teaching is a tough job, but very rewarding!
4. Inventor
Type of job: Entrepreneur
Training needed: None
Where to find this job: International
Average pay: Potentially very high
Time to start job: Depends upon your idea!
Do you have a great idea that you can’t wait to see hit store shelves? Why don’t you turn it into one of the best and most exciting jobs out there? Becoming an inventor is very exciting and you need no experience to get started. All you need is a mind for business (or a friend who has a mind for business) and an idea that you think others will want to spend cash on.
The great thing about this job is that you can invent anything you want to. A talking carseat for children, a walking device for the elderly, it doesn’t matter – if it’s in your head you can do it. You may need a bit of startup capital to build a prototype (that’s the sample product you show to potential investors) but you can raise money to create the rest of the products.
If you think you have a good idea, run it by a few friends and see what they think. If they all say it’s an excellent bet, then go for it – become an inventor with no experience at all!
- All you need to become an inventor is one good idea
- When you’re an inventor you work for yourself – fire your boss!
- You may need some cash to start up your business, but you can raise the rest
5. Tattoo artist
Type of job: Usually contract
Training needed: Health and safety training
Where to find this job: In most nations
Average pay: Dependent upon your skill
Time to start job: Within weeks
Do you have a steady and artistic hand? If so, you can absolutely become a tattoo artist with no experience. There are things you’ll need to do before you walk into a studio and ask for a job, but they’re things you can do on your own.
Research the health code requirements in your area. Then, get to work on taking the certifications and courses you need. Usually these can be completed in very little time, but take them seriously! You’ll be fired in a second if you’re caught breaking health code.
Then, buy yourself a tattoo gun. Practice your art on an orange peel or grapefruit peel until you get it right. Finally, show your portfolio (on paper, not on oranges) to local studio owners and ask to rent a booth.
It really is that simple. If you’re artistic (and we mean good) then you can land yourself a job as a tattoo artist with no experience.
- You’ll have to do some homework before you apply to work as a tattoo artist
- You’ll need to be artistic, but you don’t have to have experience for these jobs
- Create a portfolio to show to potential employers or shop owners who can rent you a booth
6. Actor
Type of job: Freelance
Training needed: None to little
Where to find this job: International
Average pay: Low to begin
Time to start job: Immediate
Do you have a flair for the dramatic? No, you don’t have to go to acting school to become an actor. In fact, it’s one of the easiest jobs to get with no experience if you have talent. Now, you probably won’t hit the big screen the first week you’re acting. Or even the first year. But you can make a living as an actor without any prior experience at all.
It’s a good idea, if acting is your goal, to get in touch with community theaters. These little groups put on performances every few months or so and are usually volunteer run. You won’t get paid for these little gigs, but they’re a good way to get your resume built and get your name out there.
Then, when you’re ready, get some headshots made and submit them to the big names in television, commercials and theater. You could be seeing your name in lights or on the silver screen in just a matter of time!
- When you begin as an actor, you probably won’t be paid much
- You don’t have to have experience to act, but you do have to have talent
- Start small and work your way up – the sky is the limit with acting
7. Handyman or handywoman
Type of job: Freelance, contract or employee
Training needed: Basic to expert
Where to find this job: International
Average pay: Moderate to high
Time to start job: Within months
If you’re handy with a hammer, why not consider becoming a handyperson? Maintenance professionals are in high demand, particularly with an increase of rental properties around the world. These professionals are jacks and jills of all trades, and are the go-to resource for plumbing, electric and just basic repairs.
Depending on where you live, you might need to take a few courses before you begin work as a handyman. For instance, some locales won’t allow you to work on plumbing or wiring without proper certification and licensing. You’ll also need to research whether you’ll need to be bonded or insured. If something goes wrong on the job scene, your employer will want to know who’s liable.
Once you’ve got these things under your toolbelt, you can begin to apply for jobs as a handyperson. Better yet, hire yourself out as a contractor to people around your area and build up your own client base.
- You can begin work as a handyperson within months
- Depending on where you live, you may need applicable certifications, so do your research
- You don’t have to be an employee – you can work for yourself as a handyman or handywoman
8. Business consultant
Type of job: Freelance
Training needed: None
Where to find this job: International
Average pay: High
Time to start job: Immediate
Would you like to be paid to tell others what to do? One of the bossiest jobs out there you can do with no experience is business consultant. A business consultant will do just that – they’ll consult businesses on aspects of their operations that might be failing.
For instance, you may be a green consultant. In this case, you’ll direct businesses on how to be more eco friendly than they are. Or you could be a social media consultant, teaching businesses how to promote themselves on Facebook, Instagram and other venues.
Whatever you’re good at, you can turn it into a consulting business. You don’t have to have a fancy degree or letters behind your name. All you have to have is a proven track record of being good at something. Then, get out there and sell yourselves to those businesses and work for yourself in the meantime!
- If you’re good at something business-related, you can charge companies a lot of money to teach them how to do it too
- You can start consulting pretty much immediately – no experience necessary
- Be sure you have a proven track record of success with what you’re consulting on
9. Sales representative
Type of job: Employee
Training needed: Company training
Where to find this job: In most countries
Average pay: Based on your ability
Time to start job: Immediately
Could you sell ice to a polar bear? You’re the type of person companies are looking for when they hire for their sales representative jobs. You need no experience at all to start on this career path – all you need to do is be able to sell a product and yourself.
See, the most likely way you’ll get hired as a sales rep is if you sell yourself in the interview. If you have no experience, that’s okay! But your hiring manager is going to want to see your charisma, talent for sales, your unique ability to pitch a product and your excitement.
Ace that interview and you could start selling shoes, phones, cable packages or cars as soon as tomorrow! Most of these jobs are commission based, so you’ll earn what you’re worth.
- You don’t need experience to begin a career in sales
- You do need to interview well and sell yourself as an ideal candidate
- You can sell anything from phones to cars, and most jobs are commission based
10. Landscaper or landscape designer
Type of job: Contract, freelance or employee
Training needed: Minimal
Where to find this job: In wealthier neighborhoods and corporate areas
Average pay: Moderate
Time to start job: Immediately
Do you have a green thumb? Would you like to show off your gardening prowess to people around you? You can become a landscaper or landscape designer with little to no experience at all. You can work as a freelance worker, under contract or as an employee.
This isn’t one of the easiest jobs on the planet. You’ll be working some hot summer days and cold winter months – all outdoors. But the pay is generally pretty good, and you’ll have the opportunity to exercise your creativity … in someone else’s yard.
It certainly helps if you’re very familiar with the local flora and can find uses for plants such as drainage, erosion prevention and such. But some landscapers learn as they go, and you can actually begin this job immediately as a freelancer or very soon as an employee or contractor.
- You don’t need a lot of training to be a landscape designer, but a working knowledge of plants is an excellent start
- Landscaping is tough work – you’re out in the elements quite a bit
- There’s a lot of creative thought that goes into landscaping – if you’re got this, give it a go!
11. Cleaner
Type of job: Contract, freelance or employee
Training needed: None
Where to find this job: International
Average pay: Moderate
Time to start job: Immediately
You can make a living cleaning other’s homes, cleaning office buildings or even cleaning people’s vehicles! There’s no experience necessary, and you can usually start right away, as people are always hiring for cleaners.
If you don’t want to work for someone else, that’s no problem! This is a job you can start up as your own business. Just get your name out there and let people know you’re willing and ready to get to work. You may try hanging flyers at the local library, or you can have business cards made up and ready to hand out.
If you’re going to become a cleaner, you may need to undergo a background check. In some cases, you’ll be in others’ homes when they’re not there, or you may be charged with entering a business after hours. Don’t worry, though. Background checks are quick and painless, and they don’t take long to get back.
- You can make money cleaning homes, businesses or even vehicles
- You need no experience to start this job, and can usually start right away
- You may need a background check to get started, but they’re quick and easy processes
12. Taxi driver
Type of job: Contract, freelance or employee
Training needed: Minimal
Where to find this job: International
Average pay: Moderate to High
Time to start job: Within weeks
Do you love to drive? If so, you can be a taxi driver. There are actually two ways you can do this. You could choose to work for someone else and receive a paycheck and tips. Or, if you like, you can start your own business and work for yourself.
To be a taxi driver, there are likely licenses you need to get in your country. There will also be certain types of insurance you’ll need, both for your car and for your business. Ask around and find out what the requirements are in your location so that you can get started legally.
Do bear in mind that you’ll need patience if you want to be a taxi driver. There are a lot of grumpy people out there as well as backseat drivers who will tell you you’re doing everything wrong! Take it with a grain of salt and collect your fares with a smile!
- Taxi drivers can start working the job within just a few weeks
- You don’t need special training to be a driver, but may need special licenses in your area
- You’ll have to check on the insurance requirements in your area too, so that you can drive legally
13. Fast food worker
Type of job: Employee
Training needed: None
Where to find this job: International
Average pay: Low
Time to start job: Immediately
The fast food industry is one with a high rate of turnover. There are the college students and high school kids who are looking for a summer job, there are older people who only work part time, and there are people who quit because they just can’t take the job.
For that reason, there are almost always job opportunities available in the fast food industry, and you can start working almost immediately with no experience at all. When you first begin, you’ll likely take the shifts and jobs no one else wants. But as time goes on and you grow seniority, fast food work can actually be quite fun.
The best way to get a fast food job is simply by walking in the door and asking to speak with a manager. You will likely schedule an interview, but sometimes it’s possible you may be hired on the spot! Fast food work is hard work, but as time goes on you may find that you love the experience.
- Fast food restaurants experience very high turnover
- For that reason, there are almost job openings at fast food restaurants
- Your best bet is to show your smiling face and speak to a manager – you may even get hired on the spot
14. Café worker or barista
Type of job: Employee
Training needed: Company training
Where to find this job: International
Average pay: Moderate
Time to start job: Immediately
You need no experience to be a café worker or a barista, but it sure does help to love coffee. You know what we mean – the customers who walk into coffee shops can be, well, coffee snobs. They know everything there is to know about beans, grinds, roasts and more, so if you don’t know your stuff, you can’t expect good tips.
Working at a café or as a barista is a super-fun job. You’ll meet all sorts of great people (along with some not-so-great ones) and the people you work with are generally cool, too. It takes a certain type of person to work in a coffee shop, and many café workers claim that their workmates are like family.
The pay at coffee shops isn’t always very high, but you can count on good tips if you do your job right. Your tips are generally put in a tip jar, which you’ll split with the others on your shift when the shift ends.
- If you love coffee and tea, consider working as a barista or in a café
- The pay at these shops isn’t phenomenal, but you can make great tips
- You need no experience to work as a barista, but be sure you know your stuff when it comes to coffee
15. Mover
Type of job: Employee or contract
Training needed: None
Where to find this job: International
Average pay: Moderate to high
Time to start job: Immediately
If you’ve got a strong back and don’t mind manual labor, you can become a mover with no experience at all. This job isn’t for the weak or lazy, though – you’ll be on your feet a lot and, of course, will do a lot of heavy lifting. That said, there’s something new every day, and you’ll never have the same workday twice.
You can contract yourself out as a mover if you ensure you’ve got the right insurance and driver license. If you prefer, you can sign up to work with an employer as a mover. The requirements for the job will vary from employer to employer, but generally you’ll just need to be able to communicate well, lift and drive.
Your workday as a mover is long, sure, but these jobs actually pay quite well. You may be paid by the job, hourly or salary, and will generally get a per-mile bonus, too. This is very helpful for long-distance moves.
- Moving furniture and belongings is hard work, but there’s something new every day
- You can work for yourself or for an employer who will pay hourly, by the job or salary
- Job requirements will vary from company to company, but make sure you’re able to lift and drive
16. Pizza or food delivery
Type of job: Employee or freelance
Training needed: None
Where to find this job: International
Average pay: Low
Time to start job: Immediately
If you have a car, you’re already qualified for this job you need no experience for. Working as a delivery driver is one of the easiest jobs you can get almost immediately – all you’ll need is a background check and a drivers license.
Some people are hesitant to start work as a delivery driver for safety reasons. Let’s face it – not everyone out there is ultra-nice, and you’re going to run into some customers who are less than savory. There are the drunk customers, the grumpy customers and let’s not forget about those big dogs who see you as a threat.
Keep that in mind when you apply to work as a delivery driver. If these things sound okay to you, and if you have a thick skin, you’re good to go! Wear a smile and drive carefully and you can actually make quite a bit of money in tips as a food delivery driver.
- You need no experience to become a delivery driver
- You only need a drivers license and a background check to get started
- To be a delivery driver, make sure you have thick skin and can handle grumpy people and their dogs
Conclusion
You don’t need a fancy college degree or years of experience to get a job doing what you love. Use your creativity and you’ll find that there are plenty of jobs that require no experience at all! From home-based businesses like designing to suit-and-tie positions like consulting, the no experience job of your dreams is out there!
