26 Jobs That Usually Don’t Require Previous Work Experience in 2026

Finding a job without previous work experience can feel difficult, especially when even entry-level job postings seem to ask for experience.

But new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that there are many occupations where previous employment is usually not required.

According to the BLS, in 26 detailed occupations, at least 90% of workers did not need prior work experience in 2025.

Across the entire U.S. workforce, by comparison, 56.6% of workers were in jobs that required no previous work experience.

The big takeawayNo work history does not mean there are no opportunities. Food service, hospitality, warehousing, transportation, recreation, cleaning and several other fields contain jobs where employers commonly hire people without previous experience.

What does “no prior work experience required” actually mean?

This distinction is important.

The BLS Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS) defines prior work experience as previous relevant work activity needed to perform a job.

That does not necessarily mean a job has no other requirements.

A position may still require:

1. A high school diploma or college degree
2. A professional license or certification
3. Specific physical abilities
4. A background check
5. A driver's license
6. Training after you are hired

This is particularly important when looking at teaching occupations on the BLS list. Many teaching positions may not require previous employment as a teacher, but they can still require a bachelor's degree, certification or state teaching license.

Jobs where previous experience is usually not required

Here are the occupations highlighted by the BLS and the percentage of workers whose jobs did not require prior work experience.

*Teaching positions may still require a degree, teaching credential or state license. The statistic refers specifically to prior work experience, not education or licensing requirements.

The BLS also specifically notes that more than 95% of kindergarten teachers, except special education, and more than 90% of middle school special education teachers were in jobs that did not require prior work experience.

The agency says there were 26 detailed occupations meeting the 90% threshold overall. Its public summary chart publishes exact percentages for selected occupations rather than displaying every occupation in the underlying dataset.

1. Fast food and counter workers

At 98.1%, fast food and counter workers had the highest share among the occupations highlighted by the BLS.

These jobs may include taking customer orders, preparing basic food and drinks, operating a register, cleaning work areas and helping customers.

The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook says food and beverage serving workers typically do not need formal education or previous work experience to enter the occupation and commonly learn their duties through on-the-job training.

This makes restaurants, cafes, fast-food locations and other food-service businesses a practical place to look for a first job.

2. Hosts and hostesses

For restaurant, lounge and coffee shop hosts and hostesses, 97.7% of workers did not need previous work experience.

Common responsibilities can include greeting customers, organizing seating, managing waiting lists and helping coordinate the flow of guests.

These positions can also provide experience that later helps candidates move into customer service, serving, bartending or supervisory roles.

3. Packers, stockers and warehouse-related jobs

Several logistics and material-moving occupations appear prominently in the BLS data:

1. Packers and packagers: 97.6%
2. Stockers and order fillers: 93.0%
3. Laborers and freight/material movers: 92.8%

These jobs are commonly found in warehouses, distribution centers, retail stores, shipping operations and other businesses that handle inventory.

Although previous experience may not be required, employers may value reliability, attention to detail, availability and the ability to perform physical work safely.

4. Cashiers

The BLS found that 96.5% of cashiers did not require previous work experience.

Cashier positions can be found in grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, retail stores and many other businesses.

According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook , cashiers typically have no formal education requirement and receive training on the job.

Even if cashier employment declines over the long term as technology changes retail, the BLS still projects hundreds of thousands of openings each year because workers leave the occupation or move into other jobs.

5. Hospitality and restaurant support jobs

The data also highlights several jobs that are especially relevant for people trying to enter hospitality:

1. Dining room and cafeteria attendants
2. Bartender helpers
3. Dishwashers
4. Hosts and hostesses
5. Fast food and counter workers
6. Fast food cooks

This is useful for job seekers because hospitality businesses frequently need workers for multiple positions at the same location.

Someone who enters as a busser, dishwasher, counter worker or host may also gain experience that can help them qualify for additional responsibilities later.

6. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

For maids and housekeeping cleaners, 92.3% of workers were in jobs that did not require previous work experience.

These opportunities may be found in hotels, residential services, hospitals, senior-care facilities and cleaning companies.

Employers may care more about reliability, work quality, schedule availability and attention to detail than previous employment in the same occupation.

7. Helpers — electricians

One of the more interesting occupations on the list is helpers — electricians.

The BLS found that 90.8% did not require previous work experience.

Helpers typically assist experienced workers by carrying materials, preparing work areas, handling tools and completing basic tasks.

It is important not to confuse an electrician helper position with working independently as a licensed electrician. Licensing, apprenticeships and other requirements can apply as workers progress in the trade.

8. Recreation jobs

The list also includes:

1. Lifeguards, ski patrol and related recreational protective workers — 96.1%
2. Amusement and recreation attendants — 95.3%

These can include seasonal positions at pools, beaches, amusement parks, recreation centers and entertainment venues.

Some jobs, particularly lifeguard positions, may require certifications even when previous employment is not required.

What are the best jobs for someone with no experience?

There is no single best job for every first-time worker.

A better strategy is to choose jobs that help you develop skills you can use in your next position.

For example:

1. Restaurant jobs can develop customer service, teamwork and time management.
2. Warehouse jobs can provide inventory, shipping and logistics experience.
3. Retail jobs can develop sales, POS and customer-service skills.
4. Hospitality jobs can build guest-service and operations experience.
5. Trade helper jobs can introduce you to technical career paths.
6. Cleaning jobs can demonstrate reliability, organization and independent work.

How to get hired when you have no experience

If you are applying for your first job, do not focus only on what is missing from your work history.

Instead, show employers evidence that you can be reliable and learn quickly.

1. Apply to jobs that truly accept beginners

Look for phrases such as:

1. No experience required
2. Entry level
3. Will train
4. Training provided
5. On-the-job training
6. Experience preferred, not required

You can browse current U.S. job openings on Empregara and compare the requirements before applying.

2. Build a resume even if you have never had a formal job

A first resume does not have to contain traditional paid employment.

You can include:

1. Volunteer work
2. School projects
3. Community activities
4. Internships
5. Freelance or informal work
6. Babysitting or caregiving
7. Helping in a family business
8. Certifications
9. Relevant coursework

See our complete guide on how to write a resume with no work experience , including an editable resume template.

3. Keep your resume simple

You do not need a complicated design to compensate for limited experience.

A clean resume with clear skills, education and relevant activities is usually more useful than filling the page with decorative elements.

If you are unsure how to structure it, read our guide to the best ATS-friendly resume format in 2026 .

4. Translate everyday experience into workplace skills

You may already have useful skills even if you have never received a paycheck.

For example:

1. School group projects can demonstrate teamwork.
2. Organizing events can demonstrate planning and communication.
3. Caring for children can demonstrate responsibility and time management.
4. Helping a family business can demonstrate customer service or inventory experience.
5. Sports can demonstrate teamwork, discipline and reliability.

5. Apply while the job is still fresh

Entry-level openings can attract a large number of applicants.

Checking recently posted jobs regularly and applying when you genuinely meet the requirements can reduce the chance that you discover the opportunity only after the employer has already received many applications.

No experience does not mean no skills

One of the biggest mistakes first-time job seekers make is assuming that “no work experience” means they have nothing to offer an employer.

Employers hiring for beginner-friendly positions may instead look for qualities such as:

1. Reliability
2. Punctuality
3. Communication
4. Willingness to learn
5. Customer service
6. Teamwork
7. Attention to detail
8. Schedule availability

Your application and interview should provide examples showing those qualities, even if the examples come from school, volunteering or everyday responsibilities.

What the new BLS data tells us

The findings do not mean every employer hiring for these occupations will accept every candidate without experience.

Individual job postings can have stricter requirements.

What the data does show is that previous employment is not universally required to enter the U.S. labor market.

The occupations identified by the BLS are concentrated especially in food preparation and serving, education, and transportation and material-moving work.

The broader labor market also continues to change. If you want to understand current hiring conditions, read our latest U.S. jobs report analysis .

Looking for your first job? Explore current opportunities across New York and the United States. Review job requirements and find positions that fit your experience.

Browse Jobs on Empregara →

Frequently asked questions

What jobs can I get with no experience?

BLS data shows that occupations such as fast food and counter worker, host or hostess, cashier, stocker, dishwasher, housekeeping cleaner, warehouse/material-moving worker and production helper commonly do not require previous work experience.

Can I get a job if I have never worked before?

Yes. Many employers hire first-time workers and provide training after hiring. Your resume can use school projects, volunteering, activities, informal work and other responsibilities to demonstrate relevant skills.

Does “no experience required” mean there are no qualifications?

No. A job may not require previous employment but may still require education, a license, certification, physical abilities or other qualifications. Always read the individual job description.

Do entry-level jobs always mean no experience?

No. “Entry level” and “no experience required” are not identical terms. Some employers use entry level for positions that still ask for limited previous experience. Read the requirements rather than relying only on the job title.

What should I put on a resume if I have no work experience?

Include relevant skills, education, school projects, volunteer activities, certifications, informal work and real responsibilities that demonstrate your ability to perform the job.

Sources

1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — No prior work experience required for 90 percent of workers across 26 occupations in 2025
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Requirements Survey
3. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers
4. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Cashiers

Editorial note: This article uses 2025 Occupational Requirements Survey data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS reports that 26 detailed occupations had at least 90% of workers in jobs requiring no prior work experience. Requirements vary by employer, location and individual position.