My roommate came home last night, moaning about her grievous "lack of experience." Shocked to hear this — she has a university degree and excels in sales, retail and customer service — I disbelievingly asked why. "Because," she complained, "I want to try something new, and no one wants to give me a chance!"

Does this Sound FAMILIAR? Unfortunately, trying to get a job without a university degree will usually slam you into the “you need higher education” brick wall. On the other hand, approaching the issue from the opposite side gains you only snide “you-need-more-experience” comments.

Frustrating? Yes. Surmountable? Again, yes.

Overcoming lack of experience is doable, though it may take extra effort and research on your part. Five tips from Monster.com's Sasha Cohen will improve your chances of success:

- Enthusiasm counts. Sure, employers appreciate previous experience, but they also know that skills and knowledge alone don't always make the best employees. If you love what you do, then you're likely to be a more satisfied, and therefore harder-working, employee. So let your passion for the company, subject or work shine through.

- Take the initiative. There are many ways to do this. First of all, in your cover letter, stress your potential, not your lack of experience. In the interview, again, stress your positives. Think ahead of time about the strengths you want to focus on, and be prepared to back yourself up. It's fine to be honest about your newness in the field, but don't let that become a drawback. After the interview, call your potential employer and thank him/her for the interview. Let him know you're still interested and ask for feedback. If you don't get the job, don't be afraid to ask why — this can help you prepare better for future interviews.

- Don't forget your "soft skills." While you may not have years of experience under your belt, the chances are your past work has included many "soft skills," such as team building, leadership, or customer service. These may be invaluable in your new career. Emphasize your interpersonal and communication skills.

- Find out contact names. Before you blanket the town with your resume, do your homework. Knowing the names of one or two of the key people inside a corporation can increase your interview chances enormously. It's worth the extra time and energy. A name is worth a thousand resumes.

- Know your company. Compensate for not being a practical expert in the field by beefing up your knowledge about the relevant firm. Your research into it will prove your interest and enthusiasm.

According to an annual survey of employers searching the job market, carried out by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) in the United States, the following skills were seen to be desirable in a potential employee: interpersonal skills; teamwork; verbal communication; analytical skills; computer skills; written communication; leadership abilities.

It is worth noting that none of these skills are limited to any one particular area or profession —all are necessary in almost all lines of work.

So, don't be daunted by your lack of experience. Get out there and tell them what you are good at — I'm sure there's plenty to say.