Interviews can be daunting for anyone, especially if this is your first journey into the workplace. But don’t panic, an apprenticeship interview can be a great place to start, especially if you are prepared.
By now you will researched the kind of apprenticeship you want to do and will have applied for the ones local to you. At Orange Moon Training you can do this through the nursery or school or directly through us.
If your application is successful, you will be invited for an interview with the employer. This may involve one employer or it could be a few people interviewing you, depending on the setting. It will most likely be face to face but if there is a distance between you it may be over the phone or online with Teams or Zoom. Here we cover advice on different stages of the interview process.
Before the interview
Do your research on the apprenticeship and the organisation you are applying to work for. Read the job description and have a think about the skills and qualities the employer is looking for in an apprentice. Identify anything you don’t understand and do some research. Have a look at case studies online of apprentices that do the role you are applying for. Think about things the interviewer might ask you and plan lots of examples that you could put forward in your answers. Think also of questions you may want to ask them, there is often time for his at the end of the interview
Do a mock interview. This might be with a friend or someone you know through your current educational establishment. This can really help you assess your own body language and the way you communicate.
Check where and when the interview is and ensure you get there with plenty of time to spare. Make a note of who you need to report to. If you have time, you could even do a practice run of the journey to ensure you know where you are going. Think about what you should wear. If in doubt, smart casual is the way forward. If you have a disability and need adjustments to make the interview accessible, you can get advice from Scope on how to ask for them; https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-andsupport/ask-for-adjustments-at-interview
During the interview
Firstly, be polite and be aware of your body language. Tell the truth and don’t exaggerate in your answers.
Ask for the question to be repeated if you are unsure or don’t understand. If you struggle to remember questions, then ask if it is okay to write them down as they are asked, to help you remember what you need to answer. If you have learning difficulties or trouble with executive functioning such as ADHD, you may even be able to get the question written down for you and given to you before the interview.
Questions may be competency based (think about your examples to draw on) or strength based (what do you enjoy and can do well?). You may have to take part in a practical test. In early years or teaching this may be to plan and do an activity with the children. They may want to see how well you work in a team, react in certain situations or how well you can follow instructions.
Overall, they want to see that you have similar values as the company and understand the ethos in which you may be working in. If in doubt think about positive feedback you have had from friends, teachers and colleagues previously and explain how this could be relevant to the role.
After the interview
Write down your reflections on what went well and what you could have done better. Write down some of the questions they asked as it is more than likely that you will be asked similar ones at other interviews.
If you get offered the role, accept the offer in a timely manner and agree on a start date. If you found the role wasn’t right for you then decline the offer in a timely and polite manner. If you were unsuccessful, try to stay positive and learn from the experience. It is okay to ask for feedback to help you move forward to your next opportunity. Don’t give up, continue on your search for the perfect role!
If you would like further support in getting an interview for an apprenticeship then please contact us: https://www.orangemoontraining.co.uk/contact/
