When it comes to an interview, it doesn’t matter if it’s your 1st or your 50th, they can always seem daunting. An apprenticeship interview is just like any other interview: preparation is key. At Baltic Apprenticeships, our job is to help you prepare for your interview so that you’ll feel comfortable and confident when you enter the room (or the Zoom). In this blog, we’ll share our team’s top tips to get ready for an apprenticeship interview.
What to Do Before Your Apprenticeship Interview
1. Research the company and your interviewers
Researching the company before your interview is important to show that you are serious about the job but also, it will increase your confidence during the interview. Understanding the purpose and culture of the company will not only improve your chances of being hired, it can also help you decide whether the company is right for you.
Start your research with the company website, and branch out onto their brand social media accounts, which might show a bit more personality. Most websites now have detailed careers pages, which include “meet the team” features alongside information on company activities, benefits, and can tell you more about what a typical day is like at HQ.
2. Study the job description
The role you have applied for is not just for an apprenticeship, it is for a specific job role within a business. An apprentice is not just a general term, depending on the type of business and role you have applied for, two apprenticeship roles can be completely different. So, this is where your research will be invaluable. Find out more about your job role and if you are unsure on anything, prepare some questions to ask your prospective employer.
Take some time to think about the skills and qualities listed in the job description, and match these up with examples from your own experiences. It doesn’t have to be work experience – you can use experiences from school, your hobbies, or independent research to demonstrate your interests and capabilities. This way, your examples will be fresh in your mind for the interview.
3. Practise your interview answers
There are many interview questions which are regularly asked when candidates are interviewed. Look up common interview questions and try to make a bullet point list of talking points for each question and practice answering the questions in a way that sounds genuine and conversational.
The STAR Method is your friend here. The STAR technique is a method of answering questions that is comprised of four steps:
- SITUATIONS: Set the scene by describing the situation and when it took place.
- TASK: Explain the task and what was the goal. Describe your responsibility in the situation
- ACTION: Provide details about the action you took to attain this. Explain the steps you took to address the problem
- RESULT: Share the outcomes of the actions you took.
Applying this method to answer interview questions is effective as it permits you to provide concrete examples that you possess the experience and skills for the job at hand.
4. Plan your interview outfit
The purpose of an interview is to provide your potential employer with the opportunity to assess your suitability for the role on offer. Dressing appropriately for your interview is important as it presents you in a professional light. Every business has a different dress code, but as long as you dress smartly you will be fine. Our recruiters will be able to offer you advice on what to wear as well.
Getting your outfit sorted ahead of time is a great way to feel more in control as you prepare for your interview and ensure that things run smoothly on the day. There’s nothing worse than realising that your smart trousers have a big soup stain right before you need to set off!
5. Make the most of support from baltic
If you’re interviewing for a Baltic Apprenticeship, our recruitment team will give you a call beforehand to help you get ready before you interview with your potential employer. Nothing formal, so don’t worry, this is just another opportunity for you to ask us questions and show us what you’ve discovered during your research and preparation time. Before the interview, we’ll give you a call and talk through the key points, and remind you how amazing your application was - ensuring you are ready to go confidently into your interview.
Good luck with your interview!
