How To Interview For A Job When You Have No Experience
How To Interview For A Job When You Have No Experience
Show Transcript
In this video, we take you through 4 essential steps of getting a job and if you stick
around until then end, we’ll unleash an interviewing tactic that’s going to help you
stay poised under pressure.
Entry-level jobs can provide you with industry experience and allow you to learn new career
skills. If you have an upcoming job interview but no industry experience, preparation and
motivation can help you perform successfully in the interview.
In this article, we define an entry-level job, outline tips for interviewing for a job with no
experience and provide common interview questions with example answers to help you
prepare for a job interview.
You can also research the company's online presence to find out more about the culture and
industry. Many companies have a careers section of their website where you can read about
other open positions and learn more about what it's like to work at the company. A company's
social media channels can also give you an insight into some of the company's efforts and
initiatives. You can note a few details you find online to use in your interview if the interviewer
asks why you want to work for their company.
Having no experience doesn't mean you can't learn some things about the industry you're
applying to work in. Here are a few things you can research about an industry when you're
applying for an entry-level job:
Industry outlook: You can find out whether the industry is growing or shrinking to
get an idea of how competitive the job market is.
Average salary: Finding out how much money you can make at the entry level and
how much you can earn in higher positions can help you make more informed career
decisions.
Job duties: Researching the daily duties of the job title you want can help you learn
more about the position.
Similar jobs: You can also research jobs that are like the position you're applying for.
This can give you ideas for more positions to apply for as you grow professionally.
3. Dress nicely
Whether you're meeting the interviewer in person or using a video meeting, you can dress in a
professional outfit to reflect your motivation during the interview. This is another way you can
show the interviewer that you genuinely want the position. Dressing nicely can send a signal
that you're a serious candidate who's prepared for an interview.
You can base your attire on what other people wear to the workplace, but when in doubt,
dressing more professionally than necessary is better than dressing too casually.
The way you communicate is just as important as what you say during a job interview. You can
practice nonverbal communication skills like direct eye contact and smiling. These skills can
help you show your personality to an interviewer while setting a positive tone for the
conversation.
You can also practice speaking clearly in a positive tone of voice to help you communicate
better during a job interview. This can show the interviewer that you're confident about your
skills, even when you don't have experience for the job.
Example: "I recently graduated from Texas University with a bachelor's degree in elementary
education. In my final semester, I received the opportunity to intern at Lakeside Charter
Academy, where I was able to test several effective teaching techniques. I'm skilled in
leadership, teamwork and conflict resolution. I've been looking forward to interviewing for this
role because I'm passionate about growing young minds."
Entry-level job interviewers ask this question because they want to know how hard you're
willing to work and what skills you have that you can use in the position. A strategy for
answering this question is to describe your most desirable quality or best skill and how it relates
to the position.
Example: "I would be an asset to your company as your new public relations specialist because
I'm adept at verbal and written communication. Plus, I have experience writing press releases
and speaking with journalists."
This question gives you an opportunity to talk about what motivated you to apply for the
position and what you like about the company. Your answer can show an interviewer that you
thoroughly researched the company.
Example: "I've followed your company on social media throughout my time in art school. I love
the style of graphics and the color scheme that your art team uses to communicate with
customers. I could tell that this company valued creativity. When I saw the job posting, I jumped
to apply because I knew I wanted to use my graphic design skills at a company with strong art
direction."
If you have no industry experience, you can answer this question by briefly describing other
jobs you've had up to that point. If there are transferable skills between previous jobs and the
position you're applying for, you can structure your question around these similarities.
Example: "I've worked as a cashier at a movie theater for four years while I earned my
bachelor's degree in business. This job required me to be flexible and organized while
communicating with customers, which are skills I can use as a financial analyst at this
company."
5. Describe a time you had to deal with a difficult situation. How did you handle it?
Most jobs present occasional difficulties to employees, and how you deal with these difficulties
can say a lot about you as a job candidate. An interviewer might ask this question to gauge how
well you perform under pressure. You can demonstrate your problem-solving abilities with your
answer to this question.
6. Tell me about a time you worked with a team to complete a project. What was
your role?
Many entry-level jobs require collaboration to complete tasks. You can use this question as an
opportunity to show an interviewer your leadership skills and your ability to work on a team.
Example: "In one of my real estate courses, our professor assigned a group project of creating a
real estate company that was worth over 50% of our grade. Our group met to outline the details
for the direction of the company. I took a leadership role in the project by assigning tasks to
different people and setting up a chatroom where we could talk about our progress on the
project. My leadership helped everyone on the team stay on task. In the end, we were the only
group in our class to get an A on the project."
1. Able
I am able to handle multiple tasks on a daily basis.
2. Creative
I use a creative approach to problem solve.
3. Dependable
I am a dependable person who is great at time management.
4. Energetic
I am always energetic and eager to learn new skills.
5. Experience
I have experience working as part of a team and individually.
6. Flexible
I am flexible in my working hours, being able to work evenings and weekends.
7. Hardworking
I am hardworking and always the last to leave the office in the evening.
I have organised the staff functions for the last four years with great success.
8. Honest
I am honest and trustworthy when I am counting money after our church bake-sales.
9. Imaginative
I work with the team to provide imaginative solutions for our customers.
10. Innovative
I am always coming up with innovative ideas.
11. Motivated
I am motivated to go to the gym before work to get fit and healthy.
12. Organised
I have organised the staff functions for the last four years with great success.
13. Reliable
Co-workers rely on me to be on time.
Find out more advice, in terms of embedding these words into your CV, read our
article: A Guide to Writing a Successful CV
16. Competed
I competed at national competitions in cheerleading.
17. Delivered
I delivered all projects in a timely fashion.
18. Helped
I helped out at the local care home during my spare time.
19. Identified
In the role, I identified a need for a new system and, with management backing, it has
since been implemented.
20. Managed
Lucy has managed the team through several large projects.
21. On time
I am always on time for organised events, work-related or otherwise.
22. Participated
Alice participated in her local Race for Life 10k charity run.
23. Savings
I made cost savings on projects by using local manufacturers.
24. Supervised
During this time, I supervised swimming galas at her local pool.
25. Won
I won gold in my very first cross-fit competition.
Using these words is a great way to describe yourself and your achievements and make
your CV stand out. For more tips like this, read our article: How do I Make My CV Really
Special?
A key strength is communication; building strong relationships with people in order to deliver the best results.
Recently, I completed an Open degree, including Business and Design modules at the Open University and I
am now fully employed by Clearly Presented as a Digital Media Manager.
Find even more positive words and phrases to build enthusiasm, in our article: Top 25
Positive Words, Phrases and Empathy Statements
We asked expert customer service recruiters for their advice on which other words to
use on a CV. These recruiters responded with the list below:
26. Articulate
I am an effective and articulate communicator with all levels of employees.
27. Confidence
I instil confidence in others and approach new challenges with an open mind.
28. Commercial
I have a strong commercial outlook…
29. Consistent
I have been able to deliver a consistent approach throughout a challenging
period of development.
30. Driven
I am extremely driven, with a clear goal to succeed.
I used the advice passed on by my supervisors to mentor struggling individuals..
31. Enthused/Enthusiastic
I am always highly enthused about my work and tasks ahead.
32. Inspirational
I have been told that I am an inspirational coach and mentor.
33. Interactive
I understand the importance of being interactive and enjoy communicating with
others for the benefit of the company.
34. Leader
I am a natural leader and developer of people.
35. Mentor
I used the advice passed on by my supervisors to mentor struggling individuals.
36. Personable
I am happy and extremely personable and excel in a positive work environment.
38. Self-Development
I am committed to learning and self-development so that I can consistently
achieve better results.
40. Versatile
I have an extremely versatile skill set.
1. Seasoned
Using this will make you sound like you are a steak! Also, it is so dated. There are much
better words to use!
2. Authoritative
Recruiters want a collaborator not a dictator, especially in the customer service field. So,
replace a phrase such as: “I was in an authoritative position…” with: “I was in a position
of leadership…”.
4. Detail-orientated
There is a chance, no matter how excellent you believe your grammar to be, that you
will make a mistake on your CV. Whilst many recruiters may overlook one minor error,
pairing the mistake with the phrase “detail-orientated” could create problems.
5. Track record
If your CV is written correctly the recruiter will be able to see your track record, so don’t
waste your limited space with needless phrases like this.
6. Hard-worker
It is much more convincing to show the recruiter that you are a hard-worker than to tell
them. Recruiters will draw their own conclusions from the evidence that you present, so
don’t try to confuse them by using vague phrases… it won’t work.
7. Results-driven
Are results your only driver? Don’t limit yourself by using such language. Demonstrate
how you are driven by purpose, personal development and colleagues/teammates, as
well as by achievement.
8. Go-to man
Not only is this too informal for a CV, it takes focus away from how your skills align with
those in the job description. Don’t distract yourself by trying to do everyone else’s jobs –
they they will be more experienced in these than you.
9. Passionate
This is so over-used. If you were not passionate about an aspect of the role, it is
assumed that you would not be applying for the position. So, set yourself apart from the
average candidate by trying something different, like noting how fulfilling the passion
makes you feel.
10. Team-player
It is important to note that you enjoy a collaborative atmosphere, but the phrase “team-
player” is contrived. Alternatively, refer to a success story of when you worked
alongside someone else to bring great benefits to the workplace.
Find out more mistakes to avoid when writing a CV by reading our article: Mistakes to
Avoid When Applying for a Job
So, for example, do not say: “James Bell is…”, instead state: “I am…”.
It also makes it impossible to find candidates again when searching in specific locations.
Including a Headshot/Photograph
This is just a waste of space, especially as you should already be struggling to cut your
CV down into two pages.
Also, don’t save your CV as an Infographic. These may look good, but they can’t be used
by agencies and often won’t upload to company career sites – send your CV as a PDF or
Word document and keep the formatting simple!
At the same time, a CV with too much white space will look like you have no relevant
experience or skills to offer the employer. Find a happy medium – keep the CV readable
and clean, while filling the space.
After you have reviewed your CV carefully, have a friend – or two – review it again for
you!
I am responsible for the leadership, coaching and development of 100 FTE. In the past year we have
seen an uplift of 5% on service level performance against the previous 5 years.
As your career progresses, your older jobs may not be as relevant as they once were.
Your CV is your opportunity to showcase your career and you need to highlight what is
most important, taking space from less important detail that you may now be able to
remove.
In addition to listing some, if not all, of your duties and responsibilities, try and include
some achievements, tangibles, or context around the role. This could involve something
like the following:
You could write: I am responsible for the leadership, coaching and development of
100 FTE. In the past year we have seen an uplift of 5% on service level
performance against the previous 5 years.
Thanks to both of the following recruitment experts for providing much of the
information provided in this article.
We hope that all of these positive words to add to your CV will get you that all
important interview.
If so, come back to this page and check out the articles below, which provide some great
advice for dealing with this next stage of the process:
Published On: 23rd May 2017 - Last modified: 25th May 2022
Read more about - Call Centre Life, Career, CV, Jobs, Language, Popular, Positive words
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18 Comments
I’m currently re-writing my CV. Trying to find words to describe my transferable skills, i’ve used
”HIGHLY motivated and EXTREMELY punctual” but struggling to find more.
Dear Sirs:
This is a wonderful an important material to increase the knowledge in these kind of topics.
Thank you for posting this wonderful tool. I have included many of these words in my resumes and
applications, and i think that they put me over the other applicants with the same qualifications.
Well done,
KC
i am always trustworthy
Thank you
You should also do negative words so that we can understand what not to use in our CV
Used correctly and appropriately, the above words can work wonders.
However, there is a risk that they are over-used or (worse) used as ‘filler’, where the CV ends up
being a mish-mash of buzz-words.
Use these key ‘postivifiers’ succinctly rather than sporadically thrown in, and you will see far more
companies return to you offering an interview.
This is amazing, I used this via email and it worked wonders. Thank you.
These so called ‘buzz-words’ are found on every cv, use creative ways of writing to give the same
impression…
BE CLEVER
Having read all the praise and criticism I can say that you’re all right and also wrong. In fact its
both…
Yes, use these words to ensure you have said what needs to be said however, that alone will not
win you an interview. To say ‘don’t use these words’ is also pretty stupid as you’ll end up with the
CV that doesn’t say ‘honest’ etc so, at least bring yourself in line with everyone else at that stage!
To win an interview you need to write basic information SUPPORTED with substantial evidence of
competence. For example, a sales person stating only their title, dates and role responsibilities is
nearly a total waste of time. Instead, support this with achievements: Target of X, won Y. Won X
client, grew Y account by £20k, increased GP by 47%, etc
Think about the key skills required to do the job well and focus on providing evidence that you can
do them. e.g. Communication, Negotiation, Closing, etc – then add an example/result of having
done it. Simple.
If you’re in a job where success is harder to quantify than a sales role think about how your
manager measures your performance. If he/she targets you on cost savings, lead times, quality,
complaints, etc then that dictates your achievements. Remember that if you’re going for a job in
the same sector with similar managers, speak their language to impress them.
Also, think about the changes you have introduced that have had a positive impact on your
employer’s business. Each one is an achievement, even if its not work related! (e.g. started social
events, charity runs, etc)
In short, its WHAT YOU DID, not just a regurgitated job description and dates.
Good Luck.
Kieran, ASG.
A key strength is communication; building strong relationships with people in order to deliver the best
results.
k resume samples
You can use these three samples to give you ideas for your remote work resume:
Loren Gomez
Austin, Texas • 111-111-1111 • [email protected]
*Summary
Self-motivated social media manager with six years of experience designing and publishing
social posts. Developed and implemented social media strategies to gain one million followers
across social platforms. Working remotely since 2018.*
Professional experience
Social media manager | MarketYou
Remote I June 2018–Present
Develop social marketing campaigns to generate over $90,000 in revenue for clients
Marketing associate | ABCMarkets
New York, New York I May 2014–May 2018
Worked remotely to produce new digital content that generated $1000 for a client
Created and managed a company social media account, and generated 10,000
follows
Relevant skills
Collaboration
Creative writing
Time management
Organization
*Education
Austin College, Bachelor of Arts in Marketing*
You can get ideas from this example if you decide to use the functional format:
Dylan Hughes
Chicago, Illinois I 123-456-7899 I [email protected]
*Summary
Customer service representative with over two years of experience helping customers
remotely. Seeking a role with Sam's Cloud Solutions where I can help improve the customer
experience.*
Skills
Communication
Spoke with over 60 customers a day, listening and addressing their concerns remotely
Problem-solving
Resolved customer complaints and helped refund merchandise over the phone and on
online platforms
Answered on average 50+ customer phone calls in a day, with 94% customer
satisfaction rating
Sales
Experience
Customer service representative | United Shipping
Chicago, Illinois I 2019–2020
Resolved 30+ customer issues daily including shipping delays or lost packages
Store manager | MallTown
Chicago, Illinois I 2017
Sold memberships over the phone to new partners, increasing store revenue by 10%
Education
Chicago University, Bachelor of Science in Business
Tyler Shah
New York, New York I 111-222-3456 I [email protected]
Objective
Creative web developer with over nine years of experience seeking a remote position with a
fast-paced software company.*
*Skills
HTML • Java • Python • SEO • CSS • data analysis • documentation • bug testing • adaptability
• creativity*
Professional experience
Senior web developer | Dee Technology
Remote I March 2016–Present
Managed a team of junior web developers, providing training and support remotely
Launched a new website for an existing client, generating 10,000 hits in one year,
resulting in $20,000 revenue
Improved existing website design for over 400 clients, receiving an average 4.8/5
rating
YesNo
I'm very excited to learn more about your company and to develop my skills
further. Thank you very much for your time and attention. Please reach out
to me when you are available to arrange an interview. I look forward to
hearing from you soon.
Chris Adams
(555) 555-5555
[email protected]
www.chrisadamsonlinesportfolio.com
12/16/2019
My name is Chris Adams, and I am thrilled to express my interest in the Marketing Coordinator
position at Lewis Marketing Agency. I was excited to learn about this position from my friend
and former classmate, Taylor Daniels. I believe my strong communication and time-
management skills will help me excel as an employee at your company.
As a recent graduate from the University of Kansas, I gained strong hands-on writing and
researching experience as a journalism major. As a lead writer for our college newspaper, I
wrote compelling stories that captured the significance of our school and provided informative
material to readers. I can apply these same skills to create thoughtful and engaging marketing
material for your clients.
My dedication to research and finishing projects within tight deadlines make me the perfect
candidate for you and your company. If I were to work as a Marketing Coordinator, I would
enjoy expanding my skills as I create informative material that captures the attention of your
clients' target audiences. Your website mentions your passion for helping promote your clients. I
share this passion with you, as I felt very motivated to promote my university and their
newspaper during my time at the University of Kansas.
I'm very excited to learn more about your company and to develop my skills further. Thank you
very much for your time and attention. Please reach out to me when you are available to
arrange an interview. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Chris Adams
I'm very excited to be considered for the role of Chat & Email Support at Crane & Transec BPO. As
someone who can learn quickly and improve the process, I strive to be a vital component of every team I
join. By staying on top of deadlines, I allow ample time to fix issues that may arise last-minute during
projects.
During my previous role at River Tech, I was in charge of handling customer questions and concerns in a
timely and professional manner. By providing impeccable service to clients, I was able to spread
enthusiasm and positive word of mouth across the community. I take pride in conducting myself in a
professional manner when representing a company. I thoroughly enjoy getting to know customers and
figuring out how best to serve their needs. Thank you for considering me for this position. I'm thrilled
about getting to learn more details about the Chat & Email Support position at Transec BPO. I will be
committed to continuously learning, growing, and applying my skills to support the team and engage our
community.
Sincerely,
Vivian Fe Arabes