In almost every case and interview, relevant experience is an advantage, although it is rarely the decisive factor. By giving examples of your achievements and qualifications, supporting them with real life experiences can add sincerity to your answers and help the interviewer fully understand it. Your previous experience serves as an indicator of whether or not you will be a valuable asset and a good fit for your company. Providing specific, quantifiable evidence of your achievements, work ethic and knowledge will demonstrate to employers that you have a transferable experience that will benefit their workplace.
Your ability to describe your previous work experience effectively will help you stand out from the rest of the candidate pool. It's important to show your experience with a specific skill for the job description, and the more descriptive you are, the more likely you are to get the job. From time to time you'll find a skill or quality that an employer is looking for and that you don't have any notable experience in a work environment. As with all other questions, you can practice alone, with a friend, or with interview preparation software.
Most likely, that means being able to talk about your previous experience and how it prepared you for the position. It's always a good idea to be prepared with several answers in case the interviewer changes his mind and asks about another aspect of your experience. If you choose the third question, “Describe your current or most recent job position”, you'll have time to prepare and then you'll write down your answer. Analyze the job description and think about how you can demonstrate that your current position has prepared you to master the responsibilities of the new position.
My list includes some typical options, but also some creative and philosophical answers, including answers for people with no previous experience. Lauren describes her experience, as it aligns with the main job responsibilities of the description (managing the calendar, preparing materials for meetings, managing presentations). Or you can emphasize your motivation to learn and work hard, or refer to the relative simplicity of the job (anyone can learn it and the experience isn't really important, as long as there's motivation).
