What follows is a guest post by Lisa Fox.

Lisa Fox

No one wants to deal with a terrible employer, even if you have only just begun your climb up the corporate ladder, so to speak. But how do you get the employer of your dreams with zero work experience?

The truth is that, of course, all employers are looking for candidates with work experience. Yet there are quite a few things you can do in order to make yourself an asset your dream employer just simply can’t do without, and none of them have to do with previous work experience.

In fact, these tips are very easy

• have confidence
• have a spectacular resume
• pay attention
• dress for success
• be realistic yet optimistic

Let’s take a closer look at each of those objectives in further detail.

Confidence

The most important thing you must always do, no matter what — work experience or not — is be confident!!! You must be confident in yourself and your abilities before anyone will ever take you seriously.

I mean, if you don’t exude confidence over yourself, then why on earth should your dream employer place his confidence in you? It’s okay to be nervous, but try not to let it show. Always put confidence first. You can freak out later.

Have A Spectacular Resume

The second thing you must always ensure is that you have a truly spectacular resume, work experience or not. Most employers look for potential candidates who have furthered their education, whether through a formal college or even a technical school. If you have a chance to extend your education beyond high school, make sure that you do it. Also make sure that you are ‘fully certified.’ What does that mean?

Basically, if there is a certification that people in your desired field of work can have, make sure that you have it. It doesn’t matter what it is. Employers will not only find you more valuable, but they will also see that you have a very high dedication to your particular field, which translates into a very real dedication to your potential employer.

Pay Attention

Here is a step that most people seem to forget, yet there’s really no reason to. Really, this next step is all about common sense. Are you ready for this one?

Pay attention! Follow directions!

Not the life rendering tip you were looking for? Well, here’s the thing: When you fill out your initial application for whatever job you are trying to get, your potential employer will have a list of do’s and do not’s. If your employer specifically states that he only wants your name, age, date of birth, education, previous job experience, certifications, and any skill relevant to the job, that is all he wants.

If you send him a 10-page resume with a boat load of stuff he didn’t ask for in it, chances are he’s only going to throw it away. If you can’t follow simple instructions, why on earth would he or she want to hire you?

The same goes for the interview, should you follow the resume instructions and get called back. If your employer gives you a list of specific yes or no’s, then make sure you adhere to what he is asking you for.

Dress For Success

If you want a good-paying job right off the bat, you need to dress like you deserve it. Don’t go into your interview looking like a bum. Actually, don’t even go in there dressed for the position you want. Always dress as though you are interviewing for a position at least two above yours. If you want an entry-level position, dress as though you were applying to be a manager.

This not only shows that you are professional and care about your appearance, but also that you take your potential job, employer, and company very seriously. Showing up in inappropriate dress not only makes you look like a joke, but it also makes it seem as though you believe your potential employer is a joke also. No one wants to feel like a joke, and that is a surefire way to fail in getting your dream employer.

Be Realistic, Yet Optimistic

This is really a two-part tip. The first thing you need to do is be realistic. Know what sort of jobs you are capable of getting, and what companies or employers you might be a good fit for. It’s okay to strive just a little higher than you personally think is reasonable, but don’t over-reach yourself by too much or you will be setting yourself up for failure.

The second part is to be optimistic. Once you set your goals on something you know is at least somewhat reasonably attainable, be optimistic that you will achieve that goal. Tell yourself that you are worthy of that position, and that you will end up working for your dream employer. Give yourself morning pep talks if you have to, but always keep an optimistic mind frame.

So what do you think of our tips? Do you have more tips that you believe will be helpful in working for your dream employer with zero experience? Tell us all about it in the comments below. We can’t wait to hear what you have to say!

Guest Blogger: Lisa is a writer for DegreesThatPay.com which recently featured an article on The Best College Majors for 2013. She is a college graduate with a bachelor’s degree in communications, and has lived all over the United States and abroad. In her spare time, Lisa loves reading, writing, playing piano, and spending time with her golden retriever, Goldie.