“How long have you been doing this?” is an experience check. The person is weighing how much to trust you. Answer honestly in one line, then move to what you have done and learned, because depth and results matter more than the number.
It can land hard if you are new, and it can feel flat if you are experienced. Either way, the best answer is short and specific.
What does “how long have you been doing this?” really mean?
We call this moment the Experience Check. The Experience Check is one of the 13 tests in the Access Test, the framework developed by Art of Charm co-founder Johnny Dzubak. It sits in the Credential group, next to the questions people use to size up your background.
On the surface, it asks for a number. Underneath, it asks: “How much weight should I give your opinion?” Years are a handy shortcut for the person asking. They are not the only evidence you can offer.
That means you have more room than you think. You can answer the number honestly and then give them better evidence than the number.
What is the person really testing?
They are testing trust. The Access Test scores three things, and each one applies.
- Outcomes over activities. “Ten years in the field” is time spent. “I’ve led three launches that came in on schedule” is an outcome. Outcomes are what people remember.
- Abundance over validation seeking. You do not need to defend your timeline. A calm, plain answer shows you are secure in what you know. Over-explaining signals that you need them to accept it.
- Strategic fit over self-promotion. The goal is not to prove you are the most experienced person in the room. It is to show you are the right experience for this situation.
Trust also forms fast, often in the first moments of meeting someone. That is why a clear, steady answer matters more than a long one.
What does a weak answer look like next to a strong one?
These are Art of Charm guidance in plain words, not a script to memorize.
| Weak response | Strong response | Why it works |
|---|
| “Not long, honestly. I’m still figuring things out.” | “About a year. I’ve spent most of it on one kind of problem, so I know that corner well.” | It is honest and shows focus instead of apology. |
| “Oh, forever. Like, a really long time.” | “Twelve years. The last five have been mostly with growing teams like yours.” | A clear number plus relevance builds trust. |
| “Well, it depends how you count it…” | “Six years in this role, and four before that in a related one.” | It answers directly, then adds context. |
| “Long enough to know what I’m doing!” | “Long enough to have seen what works. Want me to share one example?” | It avoids defensiveness and offers proof. |
In every row the strong answer is short, true and pointed toward something useful.
How do I answer if I am new?
Do not try to look bigger than you are. As Wil Schroter put it on The Art of Charm podcast (Wil Schroter | The Art of Negotiating Your Salary, Art of Charm Ep. #779), “no one’s gonna look at you as an expert if you try to be this bigger thing, so dial it down. Be an absolute expert in one small thing and keep building from there”.
That advice works in conversation too. Say the true number, then name the one thing you know well. Narrow beats broad when you are early. It is also easier to say with a steady voice.
Avoid apologizing. “Only” and “just” quietly lower your standing. “About a year” and “since last spring” are plain facts.
What are some example answers for different settings?
Adapt these to your own situation and keep them brief.
- Work event: “Nine years, mostly in logistics. Lately I’ve been focused on cutting delivery delays.”
- Client meeting: “Eight years, and a good share of that with teams your size. What are you hoping to change?”
- Social setting: “About two years in design. I love it because it mixes problem solving with taste.”
- New to the field: “Since January, but I came from a related area, so I’m getting up to speed on this part quickly.”
- Long career, new direction: “Twenty years in sales, and the last two focused on training new reps, which I enjoy most.”
Each answer gives the number, adds one concrete detail and invites the other person to continue.
Where does the product fit in?
“How long have you been doing this?” is a short moment that can shape how seriously you are taken. The Access Test is a short video course, about 49 minutes, that names 13 hidden tests like it. Each one has a trigger phrase, what is being evaluated and a calibrated response. It gives you recognition, the first step. See how the Access Test works.
What are the most common mistakes?
- Inflating the number. It costs more than it earns once anyone checks.
- Apologizing for being new. Say the fact, not the apology.
- Getting defensive. Even a doubtful tone deserves a calm, plain reply.
- Answering with only a number. Add one result or focus so the answer means something.
- Over-explaining. One line for the number and one for the proof is enough.
- Forgetting the listener. Link your answer to what they care about.
If you are trying to come across well with senior people, see our guide to how to connect with people more successful than you.
How do I practice this week?
- Day 1: Write the true number of years you have been doing your work. Say it out loud without softening it.
- Day 2: Add one result that shows depth, not just time.
- Day 3: If you are new, pick the one small area you know best and write one line about it.
- Day 4: Make three versions: work, client and social.
- Day 5: Ask a friend to ask the question in a doubtful tone. Practice staying steady.
- Weekend: Use your answer in a real conversation and notice what they ask next.
What should I read next?
The Experience Check pairs naturally with the Credential Opener, where someone asks about your background, and the Track Record Test, where they ask what you have done before. It often follows the Opening Test.
You can see the full list in our overview of the 13 Access Tests.
What to remember
“How long have you been doing this?” is not only about years. It is a question about trust. Answer plainly, add one piece of proof and point it toward what the other person needs. If you want help noticing this moment as it happens, explore the Access Test.
Frequently asked questions
What does "how long have you been doing this?" really mean?
It usually means "how much should I trust your judgment here?" The person is looking for a signal of experience and reliability. Time is a shortcut they use, and you can supply better evidence.
How should I answer if I am new?
State it plainly, then show focus. For example, "About a year, and I've spent most of it on one kind of problem, so I know it well." Honesty plus depth reads as confident.
Should I round up my years of experience?
No. Inflating a number risks your credibility the moment someone checks. Give the true figure and let your results and clarity carry the weight.
What if I have a lot of experience but it spans different areas?
Group it into a thread. Say how many years, then name the common theme or the area most relevant to this person. A thread is easier to trust than a list.
How do I handle this question in a client meeting?
Give the number in a few words, then link it to their situation. "Eight years, and a lot of that with teams like yours. What are you hoping to change?" Move toward their needs quickly.
Is this question ever a put-down?
Sometimes it is asked with doubt. Stay calm and answer plainly. A steady reply with a relevant result usually settles the question without any defensiveness.
How can I seem credible in the first 30 seconds?
Be clear about what you do, speak at a steady pace and give one concrete result. Credibility is less about length of experience and more about how clearly you can show your value.
