My real-life story of struggling to find a job with zero experience. How I started from a poor family in Chennai, worked part-time, faced rejections, and finally built a successful career.
⭐ My Struggles Finding a Job With Zero Experience (Full Story)
By H. Suresh — Founder, Grow With Career
Finding a job with zero experience is one of the most painful phases of life.
I know this because I lived it.
Today, I am the Learning & Development (L&D) Head in a respected organization.
I built my own house.
I drive my Hyundai i20 car.
And I run GrowWithCareer.com, helping lakhs of freshers.
But there was a time when…
- I had no job
- No experience
- No confidence
- No connections
- No guidance
- And very little hope
This is my full story — raw, honest, and emotional.
If you are struggling to find a job today, I want you to know one thing:
“I have been exactly where you are. And you WILL come out of it.”
Let me take you through the journey.
🔥 Introduction: How My Life Looked Before My First Job
I was born in 1983 in Chennai, in a poor family where every rupee mattered.
My parents worked hard so I could study.
But survival was always the priority.
During school and college, I worked multiple part-time jobs:
- Photocopy shops
- Grocery packing
- Small office assistant
- Data entry
- Store helper
- Tuition support
These jobs helped me fund my education.
But when I entered my 20s and started searching for a real job…
Everything changed.
🧩 The Harsh Truth: No Company Wants a Fresher Without Experience
The first time I walked into an interview, I was confident.
But the interviewer asked me:
“Where is your experience?”
I said honestly:
“Sir, I don’t have experience. But I’m willing to learn.”
He smiled politely and said:
“We need someone who already knows the work.”
It felt like a punch to my heart.
I went to interview after interview —
and heard the same sentence again and again.
🟦 1. My Resume Was Weak — And I Didn’t Even Know It
Back then, I didn’t know how to create a good resume.
I simply wrote:
- Name
- Education
- Address
- Hobbies
And I expected companies to hire me.
But resumes matter — A LOT.
Only years later I understood this.
If you are a fresher, start with:
👉 simple resume format for freshers
It will save you months of struggle.
🟦 2. I Attended 20+ Interviews — Rejected Everywhere
Some rejections were rude…
Some were silent…
Some hurt me deeply.
I remember one interviewer telling me:
“If you have no skills and no experience, why should we hire you?”
I walked out with a heavy heart.
On the bus ride home, I questioned myself:
- “Am I not good enough?”
- “Why is everyone moving ahead except me?”
- “Will I ever get a job?”
But I didn’t give up.
🟦 3. I Realised Hard Work Alone Is Not Enough — Skills Matter
One day, after another rejection, I sat alone and thought:
“I work so hard, but why am I still not getting selected?”
Then it hit me:
“I have education, but not skills.”
That was the turning point in my life.
I decided to learn whatever skill I could —
even if I had no money for courses.
I learned through:
✔ Free videos
✔ Internet articles
✔ Books
✔ Friends
✔ Practice
This changed everything.
To know what skills matter today, read:
👉 must-have job skills for freshers in 2025
🟦 4. Communication Was My Biggest Weakness
I was not confident speaking English.
In interviews, my voice used to shake.
I used to avoid eye contact.
I used to panic when they asked:
“Tell me about yourself.”
This one question alone destroyed many interviews for me.
If you struggle with this, read:
👉 how to answer “Tell me about yourself”
It will change everything.
🟦 5. The Day I Almost Gave Up
There was one particular interview I prepared very hard for.
I believed I would crack it.
But I was rejected.
I came home, sat on the terrace, and cried silently.
I felt empty.
I asked myself:
“Maybe job market is not for people like me?”
“Maybe my background limits me?”
But something inside me whispered:
“Try one more time.”
That one extra try changed my life.
🟦 6. My First Breakthrough: The MNC Job
After months of failures, one day I attended an interview for an MNC company.
They liked:
✔ My discipline
✔ My honesty
✔ My willingness to learn
✔ My practical mindset
✔ My communication improvement
✔ My sincerity
And finally…
I got the job.
That job changed the direction of my life.
It gave me:
- Confidence
- Stability
- Exposure
- Professional environment
- Mentorship
- A reason to dream bigger
This is why I tell every fresher:
“Your first job may not be your dream job. But it is your doorway to success.”
🟦 7. How I Built My Career From Zero
Once I got my first job, I did not relax.
I worked harder.
I learned:
✔ People management
✔ Communication
✔ Presentation
✔ Corporate skills
✔ Training skills
✔ Leadership
Slowly, I moved from a fresher…
➡ to trainer
➡ to senior trainer
➡ to L&D specialist
➡ to L&D manager
➡ and finally, L&D Head
A boy from a poor family…
Who started with zero experience…
Who was rejected many times…
Now became the Learning & Development Head.
If you want similar growth, read:
👉 career growth in 2025
🟦 8. How My Personal Life Improved With My Career
As my career grew, my life upgraded:
🏠 I built my own house
🚗 I bought my Hyundai i20
👨👩👦 I supported my family
📘 I launched Grow With Career
💼 I guided thousands of freshers
💰 I achieved financial stability
These achievements were not luck —
They were the result of patience + effort + consistency.
🟦 9. Why I Started Grow With Career
I saw thousands of freshers struggling just like I once did.
Confused… scared… rejected… directionless.
I wanted to share the knowledge I gained through:
✔ Years of experience
✔ Career struggles
✔ Study
✔ Research
✔ L&D exposure
So I created GrowWithCareer.com to give:
- Simple guidance
- Realistic advice
- Indian-focused content
- No confusing jargon
- Honest career help
- Practical step-by-step solutions
Today, this website helps lakhs of people —
and that is my biggest achievement.
🔵 5 Deep & Emotional Real-Life Moments From My Struggle Days
⭐ Story 1: The Bus Stop Breakdown
After a rejection, I was standing at a bus stop under hot Chennai sun.
I had only ₹10 in my pocket.
At that moment, I told myself:
“One day, I will earn enough. One day, I will succeed.”
Today, when I drive my Hyundai i20 past that same bus stop…
I feel proud of that younger version of me.
⭐ Story 2: The Resume Mistake That Cost Me 5 Interviews
My resume once had a spelling mistake.
I didn’t know.
But 5 companies rejected me.
Only later I realised the importance of:
✔ Clean resume
✔ Simple format
✔ Correct grammar
If you want to avoid my mistake, start here:
👉 simple resume format for freshers
⭐ Story 3: The Friend Who Gave Me Confidence
A friend once told me:
“Suresh, you are hardworking. Don’t give up. Your time will come.”
Sometimes, you need just one person to believe in you.
⭐ Story 4: The Rejection That Actually Saved Me
One company rejected me very rudely.
I felt humiliated.
Years later, I met an employee from that company —
He said the work environment was toxic.
That rejection protected me.
⭐ Story 5: The Student Who Proved My Struggle Has Purpose
A student once emailed me:
“Sir, your article helped me get my first job.
Coming from a poor family, I didn’t know what to do. Thank you.”
I cried reading that.
This is why I faced struggles —
So I can guide others.
📊 Comparison Table: Before vs After Getting My First Job
| Before Job | After Job |
|---|---|
| No clarity | Clear direction |
| Low confidence | Strong communication |
| No experience | L&D Head |
| Poor family | Own house |
| Bus travel | Hyundai i20 |
| Zero guidance | Guiding thousands |
| Rejected | Respected |
📌 Checklist: How to Get a Job With Zero Experience
✔ Learn 1–2 key skills
✔ Improve communication
✔ Make a simple resume
✔ Do small internships
✔ Practice interviews
✔ Build confidence slowly
✔ Apply consistently
✔ Don’t fear rejection
✔ Keep improving daily
✔ Read practical guides
📚 Pros & Cons of Job Searching With Zero Experience
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| You can learn fast | Many rejections |
| You get clarity | Low starting salary |
| Good for growth | High competition |
| Best time to experiment | Emotional pressure |
🌈 Editor’s Pick
⭐ simple resume format for freshers
⭐ must-have job skills for freshers in 2025
⭐ how to answer “Tell me about yourself”
⭐ easy work from home jobs for beginners in 2025
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (1–7)
1. How did you get your first job without experience?
By improving skills, communication, and not giving up.
2. Should I work part-time while studying?
Yes — it builds confidence and practical skills.
3. Why do companies reject freshers?
Because they want skills, not just degrees.
4. How can I build experience without a job?
Internships, volunteering, small projects.
5. What is the most important skill for freshers?
Communication + basic job skills.
6. How to handle rejection?
Learn from it — don’t take it personally.
7. Can a poor family background stop my career?
Absolutely not — my story is proof.
📣 Call to Action
If you are struggling to find a job with zero experience…
Please remember:
I was exactly where you are today.
If I can grow from:
- Poor family
- Part-time jobs
- Rejections
- No experience
…to becoming an L&D Head,
building my own house,
and buying my Hyundai i20…
YOU can build your success too.
Start with these guides:
👉 simple resume format for freshers
👉 how to answer “Tell me about yourself”
👉 must-have job skills for freshers in 2025
👉 career growth in 2025
Your journey may be difficult — but your future is worth it.
