How to Interview With No Experience

You don't need a long work history to do well in an interview. For most hourly jobs, employers want to know three things: will you show up, can you learn, and will you be good to work with. Being honest, prepared, and ready with a few short stories answers all three.

Be honest about where you're starting

Don't stretch your history or invent experience. Hiring managers talk to a lot of people and can usually tell. Saying it straight is stronger:

"I haven't had a formal job yet, but I've been taking care of my younger siblings after school for two years, and I'm ready to work."

Prepare before you go

• Reread the posting. Know the shift, the pay, and two or three things the job involves.
• Know your availability. Exact days and hours.
• Plan your trip. Look up the route the day before. Aim to arrive 10 minutes early.
• Bring a photo ID, a pen, and a resume if you have one.
• Dress one step up from what the job wears day to day.

Have three or four stories ready

Your examples can come from anywhere you've been responsible: caring for family, volunteering, sports, school, side jobs, a family business, getting through a hard stretch. Pick stories that show you're reliable, hard working, good with people, or quick to learn.

Use the STAR method

For "tell me about a time when..." questions:

• S, Situation: What was going on?
• T, Task: What did you need to do?
• A, Action: What did you do?
• R, Result: How did it turn out?

Keep each answer to about a minute.

Common questions

"Tell me about yourself." 30 seconds: what you're doing now, what you're good at, why this job.

"Why do you want to work here?" Be honest. Pay, schedule, location and the type of work are all real reasons.

"You don't have much experience. Why should we hire you?" Don't apologize. "I'm reliable, I learn fast, and I can start right away." Then back it with a story.

"Is there a gap in your work history?" A short, honest reason, then turn to now. You don't need to share private details.

"What's your availability?" Give the exact hours. Don't promise what you can't keep.

"Any questions for us?" Have one or two: "What does a normal shift look like?" "How long is training?"

If you have a criminal record

Rules on when employers can ask about records differ by state and city. Many places limit employers from asking until later in the hiring process. Check the rules where you live.

Never lie if you're asked lawfully. Have a short answer ready: own it, say what's changed since, and focus on the job.

A tool that can help: the U.S. Department of Labor's Federal Bonding Program gives employers free insurance when they hire people with a record. Each bond has a $5,000 limit with no deductible and covers the first six months of the job, at no cost to you or the employer. Ask your state workforce agency for a bonding letter to share with employers.

This isn't legal advice.

After the interview

• Say thank you, and send a short text or email the same day if you have a contact.
• Follow up once after a few days to a week.
• Keep applying while you wait.