If you’ve ever searched for a job, you know the classic catch-22: you need experience to get hired, but you can’t get experience without a job. It’s a frustrating cycle that can make anyone feel stuck. But what if I told you there are high-paying, six-figure careers where your ambition, resourcefulness, and soft skills matter more than a flawless resume?
These industries don’t care where you’ve been or need a ten-year track record. They care about where you’re going and look at your potential. This isn’t just a list of jobs; think of this as a playbook to actually land one. Take a look:
1. Tech Sales (Sales Development Representative)
Tech companies are always looking for people to help them find new customers. As a Sales Development Representative (SDR), your job is to be that first point of contact. It’s a high-energy role where, according to Glassdoor salary data, even representatives with less than a year of experience can earn up to $121,000 a year.
How to get started:
- Reframe your background: Don’t have formal sales experience? It doesn’t matter. If you’ve worked in any customer service role, led a volunteering group, or joined a nonprofit, you already have the core skills: communication, resilience, and problem-solving. The key is how you frame it. On your resume, reframe “handled customer complaints” to “resolved client issues to ensure customer retention.” In the same way, turn “participated in community events” into “collaborated with team members to achieve organizational goals and drive community engagement.”
- Get a quick, relevant skill: You don’t need a degree in sales. Go to HubSpot Academy and complete the free Sales Software certification. It only takes under two hours. With it, you can add a highly relevant tool and keyword to your LinkedIn profile and resume.
- The application strategy: Bypass the crowded job boards. Make a list of 10 companies you admire, find their sales managers on LinkedIn, and send a concise, confident message. Say something along the lines of, “I’ve been following [Company Name] and I’m incredibly impressed by [something specific]. I know my background in [experience] has given me the communication and resilience skills to excel as an SDR on your team.”
2. Insurance Claims Adjuster
When a natural disaster strikes, insurance companies need to deploy hundreds of adjusters immediately. This process creates a constant demand for trained professionals. It’s a stable, essential role that experienced independent adjusters can take on and earn more than $101,000, especially during busy seasons.
How to get started:
- Get licensed online: Entry into this industry requires a license, not a degree. You can get your state-specific adjuster license online through reputable providers in a matter of weeks. This single step makes you hirable.
- Join the roster: The fastest way to get work is to register with Independent Adjusting (IA) firms. Insurance giants call these companies to deploy adjusters. Getting your name on their deployment rosters puts you in line for the next storm.
- Highlight your detail-oriented skills: Your resume should scream “attention to detail.” Use examples from any past job, from inventory management to event planning. Prove that you’re organized, methodical, and trustworthy. These three traits are the most important for an adjuster.
3. Real Estate Agent
While it’s a commission-based role, real estate offers uncapped income potential. Many new agents who follow a smart plan can clear six figures in their second year by helping people with the biggest transaction of their lives.
How to get started:
- Build your brand before you’re licensed: While you’re still studying, start posting on a blog or social media about your journey to becoming an agent. Share what you’re learning and build an audience. By the time you have your license, you won’t be starting from zero since you’ll have a warm network of potential clients ready to go.
- The secret is the brokerage: Getting your real estate license is just the first step. This process typically involves completing a state-approved pre-licensing course and passing an exam. But the most critical decision you’ll make is choosing which brokerage to join once you get licensed. A great brokerage provides training, mentorship, and lead generation support so you don’t have to fend for yourself.
- Interview your future boss: Don’t just accept the first offer. You need to interview them. Ask some tough questions about the training program for new agents or how they help new agents generate their first leads. You might also get great insights from an agent who joined in the last year. Ask whether you could speak to one.
A six-figure salary isn’t reserved for those with a decade of experience or a fancy degree. In these industries, a strategic plan, a willingness to learn, and the right soft skills are far more valuable. Stop waiting for the perfect resume and start executing the perfect playbook. You’ve got this!