What they really want to know
Proof of everyday skills like reliability, teamwork and learning fast. They count wherever you learned them.
How to say it
- Pick a real example from school, college, volunteering, sport, caring, faith groups, hobbies or home.
- Tell it like a work story: what happened, what you did, and what changed.
- Link it to the job: “That's the kind of thing I'd bring here.”
For example
“I haven't had a paid job yet, but I've coached the under-10s football team every Sunday for a year. I plan the sessions, keep the kids safe, and talk to parents when there's a problem. That's taught me to be reliable and patient, which I know matters in retail.”
Use your own words and your own story. This is only a shape to follow.
Try to avoid
- Saying “I don't have any experience” and stopping there
- Apologising for your age
Practise it
Sam will ask: “You don't have much work experience. What makes you think you can do this job?”