Getting your first job in Panama when you have no experience is frustrating. Everyone asks for experience but nobody gives it to you. I get it. But there are concrete ways to break that cycle, and not all of them involve having a university degree.
The reality of Panama's job market for young people
Panama has a youth unemployment rate significantly higher than the general rate. Employers look for experienced candidates, and recent graduates find themselves in a dead end: you need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience.
But there's a secret few people tell you: the "experience" employers want isn't always formal employment. Volunteering, personal projects, freelance work, workshops, and certifications all count. Here's how to use all of that to your advantage.
Step 1: Define what kind of job you want
"Something" isn't an effective search. Before sending out CVs, define:
- Sector: are you interested in administration, technology, sales, customer service, logistics, finance?
- Company type: large corporation, SME, startup, government, NGO?
- Modality: in-person, remote, hybrid?
- Location: Panama City, interior of the country?
The more specific you are, the more focused your search will be and the easier it is to prepare for that type of position.
Step 2: Build experience before your first job
Volunteering
Volunteering counts as experience. If you work with a foundation like Crezendo helping with social media, tech support, event organization, or beneficiary support, that goes on your CV as real experience.
Look for foundations, churches, community organizations in your area. Offer your time in exchange for the experience.
Personal projects
If you're into technology, build projects: a website, a simple app, a data analysis. If you're into design, create a portfolio. If you're into sales, sell something online.
Personal projects show initiative, and employers in Panama value that.
Workshops and certifications
An advanced Excel workshop, a Google Analytics certificate, a customer service course. These are credentials that show you're investing in yourself.
Crezendo offers free or low-cost workshops in technical and soft skills. Completing a workshop and having the certificate demonstrates commitment.
Freelance or informal work
If you can land small jobs (helping someone with their computer, designing a flyer, doing data entry), that's experience. Document everything.
Step 3: Your CV without work experience
A CV without formal experience doesn't have to look empty. Structure it like this:
Personal information: name, phone, email, location.
Professional objective: 2-3 lines about what you're looking for and what you can contribute. Avoid generic phrases like "seeking professional growth." Be specific: "Responsible young person with Excel and customer service skills, seeking an opportunity in administration or sales."
Education: school, high school, university (if applicable). Include relevant achievements.
Additional training: workshops, courses, certifications. This is gold when you lack formal experience.
Projects: describe what you've done, even if it wasn't paid.
Skills: technical (Excel, social media, basic repair) and soft (communication, teamwork, responsibility).
References: teachers, volunteer leaders, mentors.
CV tips
- Maximum 1 page
- No photo (not required in Panama)
- No spelling errors
- PDF format, not Word
- Clean, professional design
Step 4: Where to look for jobs in Panama
Online platforms
- LinkedIn: the most important platform for professional employment in Panama. Create a complete profile.
- Computrabajo: lots of job listings in Panama.
- Encuentra24: has an employment section.
- Katienetworking: Panamanian professional network.
In person
- Job fairs: MEDSA, universities, and municipalities organize regular fairs.
- Cold visits: take your CV to companies in your sector of interest. Still works with SMEs.
- Network: tell everyone you know you're looking. Most jobs come through referrals.
Social media
- Facebook employment groups in Panama (several are active)
- LinkedIn Jobs
- Instagram of companies you're interested in (they sometimes post vacancies in stories)
Step 5: The interview
You made it to the interview. Now what:
Research the company. What they do, how many employees, what values they declare. Panama is a small market; if you show you know the company, you earn points.
Prepare answers for common questions:
- "Tell me about yourself" → 1 minute, focused on why you're a good candidate
- "Why do you want to work here?" → show you researched the company
- "What are your weaknesses?" → a real one, with what you're doing to improve it
- "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" → show realistic ambition
Dress appropriately. In Panama, business casual is the standard for most interviews. Collared shirt, dress pants, closed shoes. Don't show up in flip-flops or gym clothes.
Arrive 10 minutes early. Traffic in Panama City is unpredictable. Leave early.
Ask questions yourself. "What does a typical day look like in this role?" "What growth opportunities are there?" Show genuine interest.
The skills Panamanian employers look for
Based on what we see at Crezendo preparing young people for the job market, these are the most in-demand competencies:
Technical:
- Excel (intermediate-advanced level)
- Social media management
- Customer service
- Basic sales
- Equipment repair (for technical roles)
Soft:
- Effective communication
- Responsibility and punctuality
- Teamwork
- Ability to learn quickly
- Problem solving
What surprises employers most is responsibility. If you show up early, deliver on promises, and communicate when there are problems, you're already ahead of many candidates.
Don't give up
Getting your first job takes time. In Panama, the process can take 2-6 months for young people without experience. That's normal. It doesn't mean something is wrong with you.
In the meantime, keep building experience: take workshops, volunteer, do projects. Everything you do is one step closer to the first yes.
Need guidance for your job search? Crezendo offers employment skills workshops that prepare you with concrete tools. You don't have to do it alone.
