I have been in a similar situations, a good solution I find is to bring into the interview actual samples of your work. For example, you can bring in reports you have written, photographs of construction projects, artwork, sample programs you have written, websites - anything that demonstrates that you have the skills and talent that they are looking for. Grant it, you must clarify why you think the skills and experience of creating your sample work applies to the job you are interviewing for. You should be very specific in your explanation.

In addition, if you do work for clients - have them write you letters of recommendation. This is especially good if they are long-term clients of yours and can really vouch for your abilities. Of course previous work history is the best, and it can be challenging to find work when you don't have it, so how are you suppose to get work history in the first place? Usually, I am very positive and look for the opportunities - maybe the job you are interviewing for is the doorway to the career you have always wanted. I have found, with most jobs - if you learn everything there is about the work and you are responsible and capable it is only a matter of time before you are given more responsibilities which you can use to grow your experience and grow professionally.

Lastly, if you are passionate about the work you are applying for and you let your employer know that you have this passion to do the work - this sometimes goes a lot further than you think.
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Sometimes one has worked a long time at one place, previous employment supervisors et al. are no longer there, companies are no longer in business, one works in an area/company where it's difficult to get/find references, or there are other reasons why one can't 'network' etc.

I didn't intend the above to be THE answer -- those are the possible REASONS why one might have difficulty gathering references.

What I want to do is find out HOW to handle this kind of thing. Thank you, Tom