---
title: "Career Change With No Experience: Where to Start"
description: "How to change careers when you have no experience in the new field: entry jobs that train, short credentials, volunteering and apprenticeships."
url: https://careerdirecting.com/career-change/no-experience/
updated: 2026-10-09
site: CareerDirecting
---

Career change · No experience

# Career change with no experience Everyone starts somewhere.

Starting fresh

"Entry level, three years of experience required" is a frustrating line to read. The way around it is to pick jobs that are built to train newcomers, or to get a short credential that stands in for experience.

In short

To change careers with no experience, target jobs where BLS lists on-the-job training as the usual way in, such as pharmacy technician or maintenance worker, or earn a short credential like a CNA or CDL that employers accept in place of experience. Apprenticeships are designed for beginners and pay while you learn.

**Job numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics** Updated October 9, 2026. Pay figures are national medians and are not a promise of what you will earn.

## Three ways in

Path 1

### Jobs that train you

Employers expect to teach you. Look for "trainee" or "will train" in ads.

Path 2

### A short credential

A certificate tells employers you have the basics.

Path 3

### An apprenticeship

Built for beginners. Search at [Apprenticeship.gov](https://www.apprenticeship.gov/apprenticeship-job-finder).

## Getting a little experience fast

Volunteering at a hospital, shadowing a tradesperson for a day or doing a short externship as part of a program all give you something real to put on a resume and talk about.

## Questions people ask

### What jobs train you with no experience?

Pharmacy technician, maintenance, construction laborer and many entry warehouse and driving jobs train on the job.

### How do I get hired with no experience?

Lead with reliability, a short credential and transferable skills.

### Is it harder to change careers at an older age with no experience?

It can feel harder, but many employers value maturity and a steady work history.

## Sources

- [BLS Employment Projections 2025 to 2035, Table 1.2 (occupational projections and worker characteristics)](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm)
- [Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)](https://www.apprenticeship.gov/)

## Where to go next

- [Paid training](https://careerdirecting.com/jobs-without-a-degree/paid-on-the-job-training/)
- [Resume](https://careerdirecting.com/career-change/resume/)
- [Easiest trades](https://careerdirecting.com/jobs-without-a-degree/easiest-trades-to-learn/)
- [Career change](https://careerdirecting.com/career-change/)
- [Afford training](https://careerdirecting.com/career-change/afford-training/)
- [At 30](https://careerdirecting.com/career-change/at-30/)
- [At 35](https://careerdirecting.com/career-change/at-35/)
- [At 40](https://careerdirecting.com/career-change/at-40/)

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Canonical page: https://careerdirecting.com/career-change/no-experience/