Apprenticeship Interview Advice

Interview Advice

The interview gives you the opportunity to showcase yourself to the employer, so it pays to be well prepared. The following information provides some helpful hints on how to prepare before and during the big day.

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Find out what your interview will involve– Find out if the interview will involve any kind of test or presentation so you can prepare effectively.

Research the company– This will not only make your more relaxed during the interview and able to answer questions more confidently, but also show to the interviewer that you are keen on the job.

Make sure you have the correct address– To make sure you arrive at the correct building.

Know how you will get there– Will you travel by car, bus or train? Why not also do a dummy run if necessary?

Practise your interview technique– Practise with your parents, remember that they will have been through the interview process many times.

Prepare your answers to commonly asked questions – These may include: Why do you want this job? What are your strengths and weaknesses? How would your best friend describe you? What do you know about the company? Accountancy Specific Questions may include: Why do you want to be an accountant? What does an accountant do?

Prepare some questions for you to ask the interviewer– This shows that you are keen on the job and also helps you find out more about it.

Dress smartly and appropriately– First impressions really do count, so make sure you have tidy hair, ironed smart clothes and clean shoes etc.

Bring a copy of your CV and any requested documents– You may have been asked to bring your driving license and references for example.

Arrive 15 minutes early– Never arrive late, and if you are going to be late make sure you phone ahead to let the interviewer know. Also do not arrive too early (30 minutes for example) and interrupt your interviewer’s busy day.

Turn your mobile phone off– There would be nothing worse than your phone ringing during an interview, and it would definitely give a bad impression of you, so turn it off.

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Be polite and smile– These are simple manners that show the interviewer your confidence.

Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake– This not only shows confidence but also how professional you are.

Do not sit down until you are asked to– Again this will highlight your politeness and manners.

Maintain eye contact and sit up straight– If you do not maintain eye contact the interviewer will tell that you are nervous, and this may affect your performance during the interview.

Make sure you answer the questions you are asked– Do not feel rushed and under pressure. Make sure you listen to the question that you are asked, and politely ask for more information if you do not understand the question.

Speak confidently and coherently: Many people make the mistake of not answering the question and using the opportunity to talk about irrelevant information. This will not impress the interviewer as they will prefer a short and structured answer.

Ask your questions if invited to do so– This will show that you have prepared well for your interview and researched the company, which shows how keen you are on the job.

Be enthusiastic and tell the interviewer you are interested in the position– This will show your enthusiasm and interest to the interviewer.

Make sure you are aware of the next steps– Make sure you know when you will hear back from the employer, and whether there will be a second stage interview etc.

Thank them for taking the time to see you– This is a great way to end the interview, and will leave the interviewer with a positive impression of you.

Sit back, relax and wait for them to call– You have done all the hard work, so you can relax and wait to hear back from the employer, knowing that if you followed these steps you will have had a great interview.