A job you can get without any qualifications? Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, there are many different opportunities that don’t necessarily require you to have an academic degree in order to get your foot in the door – and it may be possible to find one of these jobs within your area.
So, if you’re looking for that first step on the career ladder or thinking about ditching academia for the real world, take a look at our list of 10 jobs that don’t need qualifications below!
1. Construction and Trades
Once a huge part of high school education, vocational or trade programs have fallen by the wayside as more families look to college for future success.
But that doesn’t mean they’re a thing of yesteryear; today, construction and trades are huge growth areas in employment—and many positions don’t require a college degree.
If you know how to use tools and follow directions well, these might be great fields to explore. Building new homes is an area in which we can always use more qualified employees, even with our current home-building boom.
2. Customer Service
One of my friends worked for a family-owned computer store, and she loved it because she could listen to her music while on duty.
Her job required some technical knowledge (conversing with customers about hardware and software), but it wasn’t hard to learn on your feet.
Most companies won’t mind you taking time to pick up new skills as long as you’re an active listener who asks questions when you don’t understand something.
Plus, employees working in customer service roles often get discounts on purchases (like 10 percent off all electronics or 20 percent off large appliances).
3. Finance, Banking, Accounting & Bookkeeping
Finance, banking, accounting and bookkeeping are some of the most in-demand fields when it comes to jobs you can get without a college degree.
Entry-level positions in finance, accounting and bookkeeping don't always require a bachelor's degree or previous experience.
Many companies may prefer or require an associate's degree for entry-level employees who'll be working with clients directly. You may even be able to enter directly into supervisor roles as long as you have at least a high school diploma and previous professional experience in your field.
Look for finance, banking and accounting jobs on Monster by checking out our job search filters to find a position near you that is hiring now!
4. Information Technology (IT) & Computer Science
In today’s business world, it’s almost a guarantee that a company is reliant on IT in some way. Having employees who understand how to code websites and debug programs is crucial to your business’ success.
Many companies are even willing to pay hefty wages for well-trained IT professionals. So if you already have an aptitude for math and science (or at least enjoy them), why not pursue a degree in IT or computer science? Once you've earned your degree, you'll have access to entry-level jobs at local businesses.
Plus, there's always room for career advancement within your chosen field, especially with so many companies looking for skilled professionals—and new ones popping up every day!
5. Legal Services
A law degree is not required to practice law. In fact, about 30% of all lawyers in America currently don’t have one (in some places, like New York City, it’s closer to 50%).
And those who do go to school for three years often find they learn a lot more on-the-job experience than they did in law school.
If you want to work as a lawyer without an advanced degree—and don’t mind working long hours at big firms and charging big hourly rates—then these are good jobs if you don’t have formal legal training
6. Management Consulting
Not sure what you want to do after college? Consider a career in management consulting.
There are two main types of consulting firms: one-stop shops, which provide services across all areas of business; and industry-specific firms, which specialize in a particular niche like finance or pharmaceuticals. Both sorts offer great opportunities for college grads with little to no work experience.
7. Marketing & Advertising Professionals
The growing success of your business means it's time to expand your marketing and advertising efforts. Marketing and advertising professionals help you market your business to new customers, build brand awareness, create ads and more.
If you're looking for a way to grow your customer base, boost sales or improve your brand recognition in today's competitive marketplace, start by speaking with one of these pros.
Good marketing is what makes a product stand out in a sea of competitors—and without good marketing people don't know about it or buy it. An excellent graphic designer can help develop a distinctive logo as well as color schemes and fonts that best showcase your company's products or services.
8. Medical Assistant / Assistant Nurse / Assistant Veterinarian / Vet Assistant
All of these are low-skill, high-paying jobs with little to no educational requirements. If you like animals and want to be a Medical Assistant (MA), we recommend enrolling in an online course or apprenticing under a veterinary technician who is willing to train you.
After earning your certificate or diploma, get out there and start applying at local veterinary clinics! Again, if you have great people skills and can talk your way into an interview, you will do well in any entry-level position at a pet clinic.
9. Paralegal / Legal Assistant
Legal assistants work with lawyers, either in private practice or at a firm. They perform a variety of administrative and legal tasks in support of attorneys.
The basic duties can vary depending on where you work, but often include scheduling meetings and appointments, drafting correspondence, reviewing contracts and agreements, conducting legal research to assist attorneys in preparing for trials or hearings, assisting witnesses during depositions and trial proceedings, tracking case deadlines and managing files for both criminal and civil cases.
Legal assistants usually must have completed high school or earned their GEDs before attending an accredited paralegal training program (about 200 hours). Most programs offer certification upon completion.
Some jurisdictions require passing a licensing exam to become certified as a paralegal; check with your state’s department of licensing for information about requirements.