JTL - Delivering Skills For Young People

Preparing for an Interview

Sell yourself – what can you offer?

Once an employer is interested in seeing you, it’s time to get ready to impress them at the interview and tell them about all the reasons they should employ you.

It can be daunting – nerves are only natural. But, with the right attitude, staying calm and following a few simple rules, it can be a whole lot easier and more relaxing.

Top tips for getting that job

We’ve put together a few handy tips which should increase your chances of success and give you a good head start.

These are really useful as well.

www.careerswales.com
www.need2know.co.uk/work/

Good Luck!

Before your interview

The key to success is to plan ahead.

• Get someone to help you work on your presentation skills and plan how to best put yourself across at interviews.
• Remind yourself what’s involved with a JTL apprenticeship and what working in the building services engineering sector will be like. Have another look at ‘What’s it all about’, ‘What’s it really like’
• Do your research and find out everything you can about the company such as types of customers, number of staff, types of work they do. If they have a website, have a good look at it!
• Practice answers to common interview questions - look at the ones we've listed below.
• Prepare your own questions about the company and the job – look at the ones we've listed below.
• Double check that you have the correct day and time.
• Make sure you know where it is and how long it will take to get there.

On the day

Make sure you take everything you need.

• The company name, address and contact details, along with a map. You’ll need these to call the company if you’re delayed.
• Your CV.
• Any certificates and references you have and your Record of Achievement.
• A notebook and pen/pencil in case you have to do any tests.
• Your JTL letter confirming you have passed the JTL Initial Assessment.
• Your list of prepared questions.

Make a good first impression

The first 5 minutes of an interview are very important, use them well.

• Arrive early – never late!
• Speak clearly, make eye contact and be confident.
• Dress smartly and be polite to everyone you meet at the company.
• Consider taking out any piercings that may seem inappropriate in an office.
• Don’t smoke before the interview. Most offices are no smoking and so the smell of smoke could be very noticeable on your clothes and breath!
• Turn off your mobile phone.

Stay calm

Although it might be a nerve-wracking, remember that the person interviewing you has asked you along for an interview because they are interested in you, not to wind you up, so be confident.

Stay calm and look like you want to be there. They aren’t going to be interested in you if you're staring blankly out of the window. Don’t slouch and maintain eye contact – although try not to scare them too much by giving them the evil eye!

Questions you could be asked

It might be tempting to exaggerate but be honest and don’t lie. People will see through you if you pretend to be something you aren’t or say you’ve done something you haven’t. Just be yourself, although if that means burping loudly and scratching yourself, it’s probably best to leave those particular character traits at home!

These are just some of the questions you should be prepared to answer. Write down and practice saying your answers.

• Why do you want to be an electrician/plumber/maintenance engineer/heating and ventilation engineer?
• Why do you want to work in this industry/for this company?
• What do you know about this company?
• Why should we employ you? What can you offer?
• Tell me what you know about a JTL apprenticeship
• How would you describe yourself?
• Do you work well with others or do you prefer to work by yourself?
• Are you self-motivated?
• Can you act on your own initiative?
• What are your career goals?
• What do you do in your spare time (i.e. hobbies and interest)

Try not to panic. The interviewer isn’t trying to catch you out; they just want to understand what you can do for them. They won’t expect you to have lots of experience or knowledge – that’s what your apprenticeship is for – so concentrate on the positives, such as your willingness to learn or enthusiasm for the industry. Honesty is more likely to get an interviewer on your side.

Questions you could ask

Expect to be asked if you have any questions at the end of the interview. Have at least one ready - it shows that you're keen and you’ve bothered to do a bit of research.

Try some of these:

• What will be my responsibilities?
• How big is the company and how many employees do you have?
• Where will I fit into the company structure?
• Who will I report to?
• What do you expect me to do in the first six months?
• What will be the arrangements for me attending college?
• What level of performance do you expect from me?
• How will the company and JTL help me achieve my apprenticeship?
• What types of jobs/sites will I be working on?
• Who are your customers?
• What are the company’s plans for the future?
• How much travelling will be required?
• What hours will I be working?
• How much will I get paid?
• Will I be paid when I go to college?

If the questions you would have asked are answered during the interview then that's fine, just make sure you tell the interviewer. It’s a good idea to have a reserve question. Just make sure it's not "Did I get the job, then?"

At the end of the interview

• If you haven’t been told, ask… ‘What’s the next step?’
• Thank the interviewer for seeing you and mention again how keen you are to work for them.

After the interview

• The employer may contact JTL. If they do, we will let you know the result.
• The employer may contact you direct. If they do, you need to let us know immediately if you have got a job. (Click here to find out more)