How To Convince Someone To Hire You Without Experience

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Yi Ming Lai

How to convince others to hire you when you're new in your field
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When you are just starting out as a freelancer or virtual assistant, your biggest challenge is to get clients. Often times, the reason why you struggle to attract paying clients is because of your lack of experience.

On top of that, having no prior examples to show makes it even harder to convince someone to hire you.

In today's post, I break down the exact science of how to convince someone to hire you without experience, and getting started with your first paying clients. If you are a service provider, freelancer, or a blogger trying selling a service, this tutorial is for you!

This post may contain affiliate links. It means that at no additional cost to you, I might be compensated from your purchase. I only recommend products and services I personally love and trust.

5 Steps To Convince Someone To Hire You As A Newbie

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In my first few months of starting my virtual assistant business, learning how to sell myself was pretty challenging. This is especially because the VA world was completely new to me, and also because I have zero experience as a Pinterest VA.

As a woman, I also suffer from debilitating self-doubt and negative self-talk. Needless to say, it took me a while to overcome all this.

Along the way, I discovered a few tips and tricks about convincing others to trust in me when I have no proof. So, are you ready to learn how to convince complete strangers to hire you? Here are the steps you need to take to get hired when you have zero experience!

You might want to check out:

 

Convincing someone to hire you starts from providing insane amount of value!

#1 Invest in the know-like-trust factor

This all starts by focusing on building the know-like-trust factor. It is something that is inherently human, as we tend to buy from people we already know or trust. In order to attract your ideal clients, it all starts by showing up online and creating content for them. Content can include anything from Instagram reels, blog posts or podcasts and Youtube videos. 

In the early stages of offering any kind of service or product, it is important that you focus on providing value.

Instead of always trying to sell something or a service to others, I focused on “giving”.

That means joining plenty of Facebook groups my ideal clients would hang out in, and giving them free expert tips and advice for my niche.

For example, I knew that e-commerce sellers who want to grow their sales using Pinterest would be active in certain Facebook groups. Whenever they post a question related to Pinterest marketing, I would spend some time answering them and offering free tips. 

Over time, people will start to notice me and my expertise. If they really like my vibe, they would then check me out on the internet. This often starts by going to my social media profiles, then my website and content. 

So, instead of thinking like a salesman and feeling sleazy trying to sell yourself, focus on building relationships and offering value. 

Still not sure what services you would like to offer as a VA? This incredible list of 275+ services you can offer as a virtual assistant will inspire you!

#2 Show them what you've got(even if it is for free)

When I moved to Sydney 10 years ago, I struggled to get ANY job. The reason? I had no actual work experience here whatsoever. I knew I needed work, but no one would give me any chance since I had no experience. 

As a newbie virtual assistant, I faced the same problem all over again. For months, I was struggling to be seen and noticed, let alone getting a paying client for my Pinterest virtual assistant business. But deep down, I knew I had a lot to offer and am convinced that someone eventually would see that as well!

I started spending a lot of time in private Facebook groups for virtual assistants, and would try anything that people suggested. 

Get testimonials by swapping services with other beginner or starter virtual assistants.

This is where an internship or free trial comes in. Often, business owners are not fussed with your degree or qualification. They just want their problems to be solved at a reasonable price.

So, why not offer them a free trial to show them your skills and expertise?

You can also offer your services at a highly discounted rate, or as an intern. This way you can figure out whether you are both a good fit for each other.

Doing so will not only move you forward in your business, you can also quickly gain real-life work experience. You can then add this to your resumé and start building a portfolio!

#3 Record everything you do to build a portfolio

Once you land a free trial opportunity, or have completed an “internship” of sorts, remember to record everything. Keep a copy of the results you have achieved, and get yourself organized.

I usually create a folder called “client results”, and keep adding examples of my results into it.

It can be something as easy as a screenshot. For example, if you offer freelance writing services, then you can compile all the links to the articles you have written for various clients. This will become your list of writing examples you can easily show potential and future clients.

There are a few benefits of recording everything, including:

  • It builds your confidence in your field as a newbie
  • Recording your results create tangible evidence for your next client so that you have something to show them as an example
  • Allowing yourself to see your own progress in your skills
  • Providing an accurate record of your work experience

#4 Go above and beyond with your work – and easily get positive feedback/testimonials

Okay, so by this time, you should have gained some work experience. Even if you only had some unpaid work so far, that is okay! Remember that you have actually made plenty of progress, and keep going.

If you are still trying to get your first paying client, this next step is very important.

You have to ALWAYS go above and beyond with your work and provide insane amount of value. This includes all the free things that you do to gain trust, as well as any kind of small task or job you take in order to build experience.

Focus on doing a stellar job for each and every free trial, job, or big project you get to do. This is one of the reasons why I was able to go from 1 client, to 3 and then 5 clients.

At one point, I had 10 clients and needed extra help. I'm talking about a short 4-months timeframe here, doing an incredible job does get the word around. Once people start hearing about you and your excellent service, word of mouth will bring you some clients through referral and build your reputation.

#5 Subcontract with someone to gain experience

When you're first starting out as a virtual assistant or service provider, it is definitely challenging to get real life experience and land your first paying job.

But don't worry, there is a great alternative to this!

Consider looking for a subcontracting position instead. This means that you are working on somebody else's contract by offering additional help or support.

Subcontracting positions usually exist because a more experienced virtual assistant or business owner has too much work. As a subcontractor, you can gain experience doing something in your field and expertise, while earning a lower hourly rate.

This is not only great for building your portfolio, it can also open up other paid opportunities. Often times, the people you subcontract with have a large network they have already built for years, so why not take advantage of that?

That being said, even though you will generally be paid less as a subcontractor, it is very important that you provide quality service and go above and beyond with your work. If you are able to do this, you will leave a good impression, build credibility and grow your business quickly as the word spreads around about you.

Remember: you are a professional who takes pride in the quality of your work. So, make sure you only take on projects you know you are able to do well in, and dazzle everyone with how awesome you are!

What Are Your Next Steps?

Now that you know these practical tips on how to convince someone to hire you, even when you have zero experience, what are the next steps for you?

Here are some highly recommended resources that are my personal favorites. Not only are they affordable resources you can invest in now, they are also jam packed with value: