Don't have much experience? Here's how to boost your résumé

It's one of the most frustrating experiences any job seeker faces: After a rigorous search, you've found a job that you're really excited about, where you'll work on interesting things with like-minded people and in a great location. The catch? The job requires experience, often more than a recent college graduate has under his belt. As disheartening as this situation is, it isn't necessarily the end of the line.

Here are some ways you can boost your résumé to help secure your dream job:

Become an intern
Many colleges and universities require students to complete an internship before they graduate. This might lead some to believe that internships are only for students, which is untrue. Some programs do require that interns receive class credit, but those are typically unpaid and rely on the credits as compensation. Many paid internships have no student-status requirements or age limitations. Internships offer excellent experience and networking opportunities, and they can often lead to full-time job offers.

Volunteer
Experience doesn't have to come from the private sector. There's no reason you can't benefit your career by volunteering your time as well. Doing nonprofit work that is associated with your education and your desired job is a great way to hone your skills, gain real-world experience and help others in the process. Many companies encourage their employees to volunteer their time as well, which is a great opportunity for you to network with professionals in your field and show how you'd fit in with the corporate culture.

Keep learning
Just because you've graduated doesn't mean you're done learning. One question employers commonly ask in a job interview is how you've been spending your time since graduation. Telling them you've been sleeping late and filling out the occasional application isn't going to make you stand out. However, talking about continuing-education classes or industry-related seminars you've attended and discussing how they relate to the position you're seeking will likely make a lasting impression.

Strengthen your cover letter
The cover letter is your opportunity to explain how your experience measures up to a potential employer's needs. Highlight similarities between work you've done in the past and the work that will be required in the open position. Smart employers don't make their hiring decisions based on years of experience alone. This is your chance to sell them on why your specific experiences make you uniquely suited for the job. 

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Matthew Tarpey is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz.