Interview Tips for Apprenticeships

Before the interview

When you're interviewing for an apprenticeship, the interview shares similarities with normal job interviews. Your potential employer may not expect you to have prior experience, but they'll look for relevant skills and strengths.

This holds true for apprenticeship interviews focused on qualifications or training, where your education, experience, and interests are assessed.

Check interview details once invited: Ensure the interview date works for you, allowing enough time for preparation around your other commitments. Confirm if it's an in-person, phone, or video interview. If you have a disability, consider necessary adjustments for accessibility and consult Scope for advice.

Prepare for the interview: Make sure you prepare! Carefully read the apprenticeship description, research the company's website, review your CV, and prepare examples from your past experience.

Practice your answers: Use the STAR method* to answer questions comprehensively. Familiarise yourself with common interview questions and ask for feedback from someone trustworthy.

Prepare for assessments: For apprenticeships, you might attend an assessment centre or deliver a presentation. Understand tasks, activities, and how they assess teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. Follow instructions and research the employer's website for insights.

*The STAR method is a structured approach used to answer behavioural interview questions. The acronym STAR stands for:

Situation (S): Begin by describing the context or situation. Provide details about the scenario and set the stage for your response.

Task (T): Clearly outline the specific task or challenge you faced in that situation. This helps to provide a focused context for your actions.

Action (A): Describe the actions you took to address the situation or task. This is the most detailed part of your response, where you highlight your personal contribution and the steps you took.

Result (R): Conclude by explaining the positive outcome or results of your actions. Share what you accomplished and the impact of your efforts. Whenever possible, quantify the results to provide a clear understanding of your achievements.

On the day and after the interview

On the interview day: Feeling nervous is normal. Ensure you arrive early, eliminate distractions, and test your technology if it's an online interview. Be ready 5 to 10 minutes before the scheduled time and know how to contact the interviewer if needed.

During the interview: The interviewers will introduce themselves and explain the role or training. Be prepared for various question types. Use the STAR method, ask for clarification if needed, and have your questions for the end of the interview ready.

After the interview: Consider following up with an email or phone call if you don't know when to expect a response. If successful, ask for confirmation in writing, discuss start dates, notice periods, work arrangements, and salary expectations.

If you don't get the role: It's normal to feel disappointed. Reflect on challenging questions, seek feedback from the interviewer, and consider speaking to a careers adviser for improvement strategies. Remember, attending multiple interviews before securing a role is common.