stretch the truth on a lot of things while interviewing, even if you have no experience (ie, i help my grandmother with work around the house (elder care), i do grocery shopping for family (organizational skills, financial skills, etc). in-person beats online, even if you apply online walk into stores and ask for the manager or say “i need a job asap” even if they tell you to apply online, and call in after you put the application in. wear sleeves if job requires short-sleeve uniform. buy nonslip shoes because you might only get menial labour jobs starting out, unless you get a call center job, which is business casual most times. being in college is a first good step too, just say you dropped out due to an emergency but are planning to get back into it or whatever.