Working without experience: how to promote yourself at interview

It’s quite normal for young people to lack work experience. Even though every job ad seems to specify experienced workers, don’t lose heart. You’ll find a company that suits your needs and wants to invest in young people without experience. Have no fear!  Here are some tips and guidelines to help you make the most of your job interview.

Job interview: how to promote yourself even if you lack experience

Whether you’ve decided to go to university or look for work straight after school, sooner or later the moment will arrive for your first job interview. It doesn’t matter if you lack experience, you can still do it. Your profile and CV have impressed the selectors and they’ve decided to call you. This is a very good reason for feeling more self-confident.

When you’re talking to the interviewer never attempt to exaggerate your experience. It’s much more important to appear proactive and willing to learn than trying to project an artificial image.

When they ask you what experience you have of various platforms or programmes, be completely honest. If you’re unfamiliar with certain programmes, don’t be afraid to say so. You’ll have time to learn about them in the future.

Try to show that you have the sort of skills the company wants. Talk about your studies and also your hobbies, but only in relation to that particular job. There’s obviously a difference between having no experience and lacking the relevant skills. So show how well your studies have prepared you for the job in question. Turn your knowledge into a strength; indicating that you will have no trouble putting it to practical use.

Try not to show your nerves during the interview, and try to stimulate the interviewer’s curiosity. Ask intelligent questions to persuade the interviewer that you’re the right one for the job.