Often people feel intimidated as they enter the work force. They are afraid employers may not want to hire people who lack professional experience. Its true that many jobs require experience, but its equally true that employers need motivated individuals for entry level positions. Often a person who lacks experience but has a good resume and a great attitude can beat an experienced worker. Keep in mind that your resume is the first thing an employer will see. Here are 5 tips for anyone just entering the work force.

1.Think like themnot you. If you were the person hiring, what skills would you be looking for in a job candidate? What qualities would be important?

2.Look at skills you learned from sources other than work. Think about volunteer positions, school and organization duties, and life skills youve learned. Consider writing a list of all the things youve done outside of work and skills youve acquired. Now look back at question one and see which of these skills should be included in your resume.

3.Learn the terminology. For example, lawyers call the people they serve clients, doctors call them patients, and retail organizations call them customers. Spend some time reading and speaking to people in the industry. Learn their terminology and make sure your resume consistently uses the correct terms.

4.Volunteer. Sure, you are eager to get your first paycheck. However, if you are looking for work in a field thats competitive, it may take awhile. Volunteering is a good way to network, learn about the industry, and learn the terminology. Once you have some volunteer experience, you may want to ask industry professionals if they have any suggestions about how you might find employment in the field. You can also ask them to glance over your resume and see if they have any suggestions (i.e. classes to take, what to emphasize, how to organize).

5.Spend money wisely. Make sure you have one good outfit for interviews. Your resume is usually your first introduction to perspective employers. If you think you might need help, it is well worth the cost to hire a professional writer or visit a career counselor. Avoid generic resumes and work with people who know your industry.

Kate Garvey www.kategarvey.net can help you put together an affordable resume and cover letter specific to your industry. She is a freelance writer with extensive business experience and the director of Pet Care Resouce Center of America (www.PetCareRCA.com) which provides free pet care tips. Kate's background includes information technology, telecom, technical writing, real estate and business. She is a staff writer with Write On! Creative Writing services and an affiliate of a distinguished group of professional writers http://lieurancegroup.com