Even if you have no work experience, at the job interview you will communicate commitment, reliability and real interest. Here’s how attitude can beat experience in job interviews.
Lack of Experience and Your Job Interview
Even if you have no work experience, you can still have a successful job interview.
Attitude can Beat Experience When You’re at a Job Interview
Attitude is Valuable
When it comes to job interviews, many people believe that having a lot of experience is the key to success. However, in reality, having the right attitude can be even more important than experience. Attitude refers to your mindset and approach to work, and it can make a big difference in how you come across to potential employers.
Why attitude beats experience at job interviews
Here are a few reasons why attitude beats experience in interviews:
1. Attitude shows your willingness to learn and grow
Employers are often looking for candidates open to new ideas and willing to learn. Having a positive attitude can show that you’re flexible and adaptable and that you’re excited about the opportunity to take on new challenges.
2. Attitude can help you stand out from the competition
In today’s job market, there can be dozens or even hundreds of applicants for a single position. Having a great attitude can help you set yourself apart from other candidates who may have similar levels of experience.
3. Attitude can be a better predictor of success than experience
While experience can be valuable, it’s not always a guarantee of success. Someone with a lot of experience may be set in their ways and resistant to change. On the other hand, someone with a positive attitude may be more willing to try new approaches and take risks, which can lead to greater success in the long run.
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Demonstrate a Positive Attitude at the Interview
So how can you demonstrate a positive attitude in an interview?
Here are a few tips:
- Be enthusiastic and engaged: Show that you’re excited about the opportunity to work for the company and that you’re eager to learn more about the role.
- Show you’re open-minded: Demonstrate that you’re willing to consider different perspectives and ideas, and that you’re not set in your ways.
- Be a good listener: Show that you’re interested in what the interviewer has to say, and that you’re willing to take feedback and suggestions.
- Be solution-focused: Instead of dwelling on problems or challenges, focus on solutions and ways to overcome obstacles.
In summary, having a positive attitude can be a powerful asset in job interviews. While experience is certainly important, it’s not the only factor that employers consider. By demonstrating a willingness to learn, a positive outlook, and a solutions-focused approach, you can increase your chances of success and stand out from the competition.
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Applying for a Job is a Competition
No work experience means you must be MORE confident at job interviews, not less
Your choices, your life, be positive!
Youth talk about a lack of confidence limiting their opportunities, particularly during interviews. Most people struggle with confidence at some point, but as you grow older, you learn to redirect negative energy into positive action.
Even if you have no experience, you offer commitment, reliability and real interest in a company, that alone is worth something.
Unemployed People Must Overcome More Barriers
It’s difficult for unemployed people to find access to opportunities to complete a level of education that will allow them to find skilled work and prepare for the workplace.
People complain about being turned away for lack of experience. When interviewing youth for positions, their experience is seldom a requirement, but it is definitely an added advantage.
After interviewing countless of unemployed people for various projects, the thing that sets one person apart from another, more than experience, is attitude.
Trust me, there are people in offices right now who have regretted employing or trusting someone because they said they had Experience. When the ‘experience’ is applied, they find they would have been better off teaching someone new from scratch.
Positive, confident, willing-to-learn attitude
There’s an opportunity for inexperienced people with great attitudes. Employers are willing to take a chance with someone who communicates enthusiasm for the job, seems easy to like and has a smart appearance.
When you’re in an interview you must communicate confidence. It’s not a problem if you’re nervous, that will settle after a few minutes if you have prepared correctly. You are there to speak about yourself so plan carefully.
Bring the best You to the Interview
Right, now let’s work on how you communicate a kickass attitude and prepare for the interview. Research the position you are applying for. If it’s a job, find out exactly what that job requires, Google examples of the job description. Compare different examples and prepare questions for the interview. If it’s a learnership, find out what jobs the qualification prepares you for.
Drop a question in the comments section if you need advice on how to find out why the qualification would be relevant to you.
What do you ask at a job interview?
You’re going to be interviewed, but you also need to prepare questions for the people interviewing you. Once you’ve done your research, you should be able to ask questions such as, ‘I’ve seen that some companies include using PowerPoint in the job description. Will there be an opportunity for me to learn that or do you not use PowerPoint?’
Asking questions about relevant tasks or opportunities to learn will make the interviewer’s eyes light up as they see that you have made an effort to UNDERSTAND the opportunity you have applied for, even if you don’t have experience. You should ask the question in a way that although you admit to not knowing how to use PowerPoint, you are willing to learn it.
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You have something to offer great companies
Your attitude can create opportunity even when it seems none exists.
Companies need to train for tax rebates and BEE points. If they want to grow their business, the more they train, the more competitive they will be. A trained workforce is more involved in their work, more efficient and more committed. A trained workforce also wants promotion – and that’s where the unemployed youth come in.
Companies look for the right candidates to apply for entry-level positions. You must show that you are willing to start from the bottom and learn to work yourself up. Communicate that you are an enthusiastic learner, an enthusiastic person is willing to learn at any time. If you are friendly and can commit to making an effort – people are usually very willing to assist you at work.
We have so many unemployed, inexperienced people that companies don’t have a choice anymore. They have to recruit from and create relevant opportunities for this pool of people. That’s why learnerships at NQF Level 3 and NQF Level 4 are excellent opportunities for you to pursue if you are unemployed and inexperienced.
Don’t believe that experience is your limit – your attitude is everything.
Bad Breath in an Interview
Now, this is to be kind, not mean. But we’ve sat through many interviews and bad breath is a real problem. You been there? Haven’t we all!!!
Bad Breath Can Be Blown Away
Bad breath can be a common issue that many people face, and it can be especially concerning when you have an important job interview coming up.
Here are some tips on how to address bad breath before an interview:
- Practice good oral hygiene: Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly. This can help to remove food particles and bacteria that can cause bad breath.
- Use mouthwash: A mouthwash can help to kill bacteria in your mouth and freshen your breath. Look for a mouthwash that contains ingredients like chlorhexidine, cetylpyridinium chloride, or essential oils like menthol, thymol, or eucalyptol.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help to keep your mouth moist and reduce the build-up of bacteria that can cause bad breath.
- Avoid strong-smelling foods: Certain foods like garlic, onions, and spicy foods can leave a strong odour in your mouth, so it’s best to avoid them before your interview.
- Chew sugar-free gum: If you need a quick freshen-up, chewing sugar-free gum can help to stimulate saliva flow and freshen your breath.
In addition to these tips, it’s also important to note that bad breath can sometimes be caused by underlying health issues. If you have persistent bad breath despite practising good oral hygiene, it may be worth speaking to a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying health issues.
As for whether youth face issues that result in bad breath, it can be a common issue for people of all ages. Poor oral hygiene, certain medications, and underlying health issues can all contribute to bad breath. Additionally, stress and anxiety can sometimes cause dry mouth, which can exacerbate bad breath. It’s important to address any potential causes of bad breath before your interview to ensure that you make a great first impression.
Does Your Breath Knock You Out?
Testing your breath for odour is a simple process that can help you determine if you have bad breath.
Here’s how to test your breath:
- Lick the back of your hand: Use your tongue to lick the back of your hand near your wrist. Be sure to use a clean area of skin that hasn’t been touched recently.
- Wait a few seconds: Let your saliva dry on your hand for a few seconds.
- Smell your hand: Once your saliva has dried, smell your hand. If there is an unpleasant odour, you may have bad breath.
Alternatively, you can also use a spoon or tongue scraper to scrape the back of your tongue, where odour-causing bacteria tend to accumulate. Smell the spoon or scraper to check for odour.
Keep in mind that if you’ve recently eaten strong-smelling foods or drank alcohol, it may affect the accuracy of the test. It’s best to test your breath when you haven’t eaten or drunk anything strong-smelling in the past few hours.
If you do have bad breath, it’s important to address the underlying cause. As mentioned earlier, practising good oral hygiene, staying hydrated, and avoiding strong-smelling foods can all help to reduce bad breath. If the problem persists, it may be worth speaking to a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying health issues.
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Are you a female? Studying engineering? Lol…they’ll love you!!! Since you’ve already studied they will want to know why you’re choosing this program. Why not go get a job? Tell them what your ambitions are and share your enthusiasm for learning what you don’t know. You go to school to learn so just tell them what you want to learn. Be happy, enthusiastic and know who you are. Go get them!!! ☺
This guideline has helped me a bit bt now my main questions are what will be asked of me since ive applied apprentice as electrician.im a bit nervous about the interview because as much as i have N5 engineering theres stil much of field work i dont know and im terrified the panel might ask questions related to that.please help how do i deal with such
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Dear Nokude, that’s one of the best comments we’ve seen posted! What excellent advice you’ve given. Thank you so much for being nation inspiration. Please subscribe so we have your email on record, you’re in the running to have an article about you on Keep Climbing. Make a few more comments to secure your article! 🙂
If you are unable to get a job after finalising your studies, one can get the work experience to speed up the process of being employed. There so many NGO and companies that can train you in your field of study even if it’s for two to three weeks. For starters you must google the one’s in your area and go to them to present your case and assure them that you only need on the job training not the salary. It worked for me I did that on my last year at the college during my June holidays. I never stayed at home because of that two weeks experience. If you wait for these internships you might not be lucky or be in a long waiting period time is critical.