How to Build Experience When You Have None
A Guide for Juniors in Fashion, Marketing & E-Commerce.
Starting out in fashion, marketing, or e-commerce without experience can feel like trying to get into a club without a VIP pass. Whether you didn’t finish school, skipped uni, or want to switch industries, building your experience is the key to landing your first role.
So how do you prove you’re ready when your resume feels empty? Don’t worry. We’ve got you.
Why Building Experience Matters
Employers want to see you can do the work and want to grow. Experience doesn’t have to mean full-time jobs or internships only - it can be anything that shows you have relevant skills and a can-do attitude.
People often Google “how to gain marketing experience with no experience” or “building a portfolio for fashion jobs” - the truth is, experience is experience. Paid or unpaid, big or small, it all counts.
How to Build Experience When You’re Starting From Zero
Offer Your Skills to Local Businesses or Small Brands: Many small businesses need help with social media, marketing, or content but can’t hire agencies. Reach out and offer to support them - even for free or a discounted rate while you build your portfolio.
Create Your Own Projects: Start a blog, Instagram, or TikTok focused on fashion, marketing tips, or e-commerce ideas. This shows initiative and helps you practice real skills.
Volunteer or Intern: Even short unpaid (the HORROR) or part-time roles give you real-world experience and connections.
Learn Online & Get Certified: Use free online courses from places like Google or HubSpot to build your skills and boost your CV.
How to Reach Out to Businesses When You Have No Experience
Cold emailing (reaching out to someone you don’t know, introducing yourself and offering help) can feel scary, but it’s one of the best ways to get your foot in the door. We’ve created a simple, professional email template here you can use to offer your services to local businesses, crafted specifically for juniors starting out in social media or marketing.
Why This Approach Works: It shows you’re proactive, professional, and ready to deliver value - even if you’re just starting out. Being honest about your experience level while highlighting your passion and willingness to learn makes a great impression.
Need More Help?
Building experience is challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. ‘business &PLEASURE’ is a digital guide designed for juniors, whether you didn’t finish school, skipped uni, or are switching careers into fashion, marketing, or e-commerce.
Inside, you’ll find step-by-step advice, proven templates (including the outreach email), and everything you need to build your career from the ground up.
Join the waitlist for business &PLEASURE now and get ready to start building your fashion, marketing, or e-commerce career with confidence.
