Interview advice?

jwest

jwest

jwest

Associate
Joined
7 Sep 2009
Posts
464
Location
Manchester
I have an interview coming up for a job which I’m really excited about, and Although I come off pretty well in interviews I always get turned down due to lack of experience, and this interview is no different, I could undoubtedly do the job, probably with my eyes closed, but because I have never had a job companies are reluctant to employ me.

So, I’m looking for some advice, what can say to the employer that would persuade them to employ me over someone that has a couple years of experience in a similar field?
 
It may be worth emphasising that your lack of experience is also a lack of preconceptions about there being only one way to do any particular task and that you don't have to "un-learn" another way of working. It effectively means for them that they're starting with a clean slate so provided you can show you will pick up their way of working quickly then you might be an appealing candidate.

It is however worth being able to demonstrate any situations where you have done similar work even if it isn't in a paid capacity. Also have general examples available of times when you've shown initiative/tenacity/insert random useful trait here.

//edit and although you may think you can do the job with your eyes closed be wary of appearing too cocky about your skillset - you could be great but you're effectively untested at the moment.
 
jwest said:
I have an interview coming up for a job which I’m really excited about, and Although I come off pretty well in interviews I always get turned down due to lack of experience, and this interview is no different, I could undoubtedly do the job, probably with my eyes closed, but because I have never had a job companies are reluctant to employ me.

So, I’m looking for some advice, what can say to the employer that would persuade them to employ me over someone that has a couple years of experience in a similar field?
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What's the job, and what makes you think you can do it so easily?

The answer to the second question is what you need to concentrate on working into the interview.
 
Helpful advice so far, thanks guys.

The jobs for a graphic designer for a really interesting company.
It's very entry level work, my father is a graphic designer and runs a successful agency and has showed me what I will be expected to do, (unfortunately he’s training to sail solo across the Atlantic so cant give me any advice at the moment).
 
Anyone else, I know for a fact that some people round here interview others as a profession?
 
jack.mitchell said:
As it's graphic design, shouldn't you have a portfolio proving what you can do and the fact that you are capable?
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Yes, and I do, but that doesn't seem to be enough, All my previos interviewers have sent that they thought i could do the job but want more experience.

My last interview for example they said they wanted me to have more 'real world experience', whatever that means, but went on to say that if i had worked in car phone warehouse for 6 months I would have the job they were offering!
 
jwest said:
My last interview for example they said they wanted me to have more 'real world experience', whatever that means, but went on to say that if i had worked in car phone warehouse for 6 months I would have the job they were offering!
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That suggests to me that they were looking for some evidence that you can deal with customers (including when things don't go well). If you can demonstrate that you've got a good work ethic, experience of dealing with customers in some form or other, dealing with orders from your boss(es), meeting targets etc then you're in with a much better chance so have a think about how you can relate what you've done up (school, home, work, holidays, volunteering or whatever) to now into those sorts of areas.

It may seem like a bit of a nonsense (I'd say it probably is a bit of a nonsense) but remember that these people don't know you so an interview is your time to "sell yourself" to them and show them that taking a punt on you isn't the worst thing they could do. If you can convince the interviewer(s) that you've got some of the skills necessary and can/will learn the rest then that's about the best you can do. Good luck.
 
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