your guide to finding an apprenticeship employer · your guide to finding an apprenticeship...

YOUR GUIDE TO FINDING ANAPPRENTICESHIP EMPLOYER

LARA HORSLEYFormer Advanced Apprenticeship in Businessand Administration student, now working asCorporate Communications Assistant at WestMidlands Police

I GOT A JOB!

“I already had an interestin marketing but theapprenticeship gave me agreat insight.”

CONTENTS

2 To find out more please call: 01922 651129 or email [email protected]

What is a Traineeship/Apprenticeship? 3

Your route 4

What do we offer? 5

How to look for an Apprenticeship Employer 6

How to make yourself standout!

- writing a cover letter 7

- preparing to make a telephone call 8

- writing a CV 9

- CV guidelines 10

- CV templates 11

- Follow up calls 12

- Typical interview questions 13

The big day! 14

Case studies 15

To find out more please call: 01922 651129 or email [email protected] 3

TRAINEESHIPSDo you want to gain the skills needed to progress on to anApprenticeship? Traineeships are a new programme for youngpeople aged 16 to 24 to help them take the first step on thecareer ladder. By completing a traineeship, candidates willdevelop the skills and workplace experience required byemployers when hiring apprentices. Students will also have alot more confidence in their own abilities and be job-ready.

Traineeships are intended for young people who:• are not currently in a job and have little work experience, butwho are focused on work or the prospect of it

• are 16-19 and are qualified below Level 3 or 19-24 and havenot yet achieved a full level 2 qualification

Areas covered in the programme include:• focused work preparation training - eg CV writing, interviewpreparation, job searching, inter-personal skills

• high-quality work experience - giving young people real-lifework placement to enhance their skills and confidence

• English and maths - for young people who have notachieved a GCSE grade C/grade 4 or equivalent or better

The initiative is part of the government’s wider aim to ensurethe future workforce possesses the skills that employers wantin their apprentices and employees.

To find out more, please contact our Apprenticeships Team on01922 651129.

APPRENTICESHIPSAn Apprenticeship is a brilliant first step on the career path inmany businesses. They are an excellent way of gainingnationally recognised qualifications whilst earning a wage, andcombine practical ‘hands-on’ experience with academicknowledge.

There are three levels of Apprenticeships available:• Intermediate Level Apprenticeship - Level 2 • Advanced Level Apprenticeship - Level 3 • Higher Level Apprenticeship - Level 4

How do you become an apprentice?You might already be employed but if not, to find vacancies goto:• www.apprenticeships.gov.uk• www.walsallcollege.ac.uk• www.facebook.com/walsallcollege• or come into The Job Shop and complete an application

If you are already employed...If you want to further your qualifications in the job you arecurrently in, you could ask your employer if this is possible.Apprenticeship training won’t cost your employer anything ifyou are between the ages of 16-18.

How much can you earn?The National Minimum Wage for apprentices is £3.50 per hour(as of April 2017). But many employers pay more - the averagesalary is approximately £170 per week.

What are the entry requirements?Typically 4 GCSEs at Grade C or above, including Maths andEnglish, or a NVQ in a related subject, but each framework hasdifferent entry requirements so check our course sheets.

What if you don’t meet the entry criteria?Don’t worry, there are a number of routes you can follow tohelp you get the required skills to do an Apprenticeship. Pleasecome in to the college or call 01922 651129 and we candiscuss your options.

WHAT IS A TRAINEESHIP/APPRENTICESHIP?


If you have applied for a job

via NAS orthe college

If we don’t have a suitablevacancy

If we have a suitablevacancy we will help youprepare for an interview

or there might beopportunities via our

Apprenticeship Training Agency (ATA)

*There are many ways to apply:- Online at www.walsallcollege.ac.uk- Use the application form at the back of this prospectus- Come in to our Wisemore Campus- Call 01922 651129 and ask for an application form

Apply directly to the College*

You will be invited to attendan initial assessment and

college interview

If you meet the entryrequirements for the

framework

Apply for a job viawww.apprenticeships.gov.uk or

www.walsallcollege.ac.uk

You will be invited to attendan initial assessment and

college interview

We will help you search forApprenticeships jobs whilst you

are completing these programmes

There are many options, even if you don’t get a job or your

chosen Apprenticeshipframework at your first attempt.

Don’t give up! You may justneed to brush up on anymissing skills. One of our

pre-apprenticeship programmescould help you.

If you don’t meet the entryrequirements for the framework, don’t give up - we may have an

alternative option for you.

Interview with employer

Unsuccessful - we will keep yourdetails on file for

future opportunities

Successful - Sign up and we willcome to see you to

get you enrolled

Sign up and we will come to see you to get you

enrolled

ALREADY HAVE A JOB? LOOKING FOR A JOB?

Apply directly to the College*Come into the Job Shop

If you meet the entry requirements for the framework, we will send your

application form to the employer for consideration.

If you haven’t appliedfor a particular job

YOUR ROUTE

- Come in to our Wisemore Campus- Call 01922 651129 and ask for an application form


WALSALL COLLEGE HAVE A RANGE OFAPPRENTICESHIPS INCLUDING:

• Accountancy

• Beauty Therapy

• Barbering

• Business and Administration

• Carpentry/Joinery

• Child Care

• Clinical Heath

• Customer Service

• Dental Nursing

• Dental Laboratory Assistant

• Electrical Installation

• Engineering

• Manufacturing

• Hairdressing

• Health & Social Care

• Hospitality & Catering

• IT/Software/Web

• Laboratory and ScienceTechnician

• Management

• Motor Vehicle

• Optical Retail

• Painting & Decorating

• Plastering

• Pharmacy

• Plumbing

• Signmaking

• Teaching & Learning inSchools

• Team Leading

• Trowel Occupations

• Warehousing & Storage

WHAT DO WE OFFER:APPRENTICESHIP FRAMEWORKAll levels of Apprenticeships are made up of a number ofelements known as a framework. This means you will geta range of qualifications and transferable skills as youprogress through your Apprenticeship training.

SOME OF THE EMPLOYERS WE WORK WITH:

Apprenticeship Framework

Functional Skills

Employmentand Training

CompetenceQualification(NVQ/QCF)

Personal Learning and Thinking Skills

EmploymentRights and

Responsibilities

TechnicalKnowledge

Qualification(Diploma)

Typically Maths,Engl ish and ICT

DID YOU KNOW...

There are up to 28,000apprenticeship

vacancies are availableonline at any one time.

www.gov.uk

DID YOU KNOW...

After finishing, 7 in 10apprentices (77%) staywith the same employer.

www.gov.uk


DO YOUR RESEARCH...The more aware you are of your likes, dislikes, strengths andweaknesses, the better choices you will make. You'll be able tosell yourself solidly and hiring managers will appreciate this.Apprenticeships take between one and five years to completeand cover 1,500 job roles in a wide range of industries, fromengineering to accountancy, public relations to veterinarynursing. Apprenticeships are now available up to degree leveland beyond.

Pop into our College Job Shop where our team will be able toadvise you on Apprenticeship vacancies that are available andgive you advise on how to apply for them, including tips on CVdevelopment, interview techniques and presentation skills.

You can also look for apprenticeship programmes via theNational Apprenticeship Service.

At any one time there are up to 27,000 apprenticeshipvacancies available on the ‘Find an apprenticeship’ site in avariety of careers and industries across England. Visit gov.uk andsearch ‘Find an apprenticeship’. You can search by keyword (jobrole, occupation type orapprenticeship level) and by location. Once the right job comesup, you can simply register on the website and follow the stepby step instructions to apply for the role. Or alternatively visitwww.walsallcollege.ac.uk and click on Apprenticeship Vacanciesfrom the homepage.

Other ways to look for Apprenticeships include:

• Looking in trade magazines for any junior/trainee positions -for example hair or motor magazines tend to have anyvacancies towards the back of the magazine - take down thecontact details and give the company a call to query whetherthey may be willing to support you through yourApprenticeship.

• If you have been on work experience in the relevant area youare interested in doing an Apprenticeship, ask the employer ifthey would consider taking you on as a Apprentice.

• Attend as many Careers Days/Open Days as you can - this isan opportunity to meet companies direct and find out if theysupport Apprentices, if they do, find out how to apply.

STAY AHEAD OF THE GAMEIn the month of June/July there will be a multitude of schoolleavers all competing for the same jobs, which is why it is agood idea to start looking for a job as early as possible so youare ahead of the game. You also need to ensure your coverletter and CV is the one that stands out.

Always try and follow your call up a week later with a courtesyphone call just to ensure that your CV has been received by thecompany. If you feel confident enough you could visit thecompany in person.

HOW TO LOOK FORAN APPRENTICESHIPEMPLOYER


HOW TO MAKEYOURSELF STAND OUT!

Your home addressHometownPostcode

Date

Name of person you are writing toCompany NameCompany AddressPostcode

Dear Mr/s …………..

I am hoping to get an Apprenticeship in………….. when I leaveschool and I am writing to enquire if your company will betaking on any apprentices this year. I will be available for workfrom July 2007.

I am currently studying for my GCSE’s at………….. School. Myanticipated GCSE grades are…………..

I am interested in working in the………….. sector / industryand I have some experience of this type of work from the parttime job I have held at………….. (If you do not have directexperience within the sector you are looking for employment,you can express that you have a keen interest and stateanything that you have done related to the subject)

I have enclosed a copy of my CV for you to take a look at andwould be very grateful if you could consider me for anypositions that become available within your Company, whichwould allow me to complete a Modern Apprenticeship.

I am available for interview at your very earliest convenience,and look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

WRITING A COVER LETTERYour CV and covering letter are the first impression that apotential employer gains of you - so you need to make sure thatyou make the right impression! This is not as hard as it mayseem, the main thing you need to remember is that it is youropportunity to sell yourself. Showing your interests and goals,aims and ambitions whilst highlighting your strengths andexperiences which are in line with the job you are looking for,can all help you to get that job! Your letter needs to beprofessionally set out to show you mean business. A wellwritten letter can also be really useful to use to introduceyourself to a potential employer. It’s worth remembering thatsome companies will consider applications from people even ifthey haven’t actually advertised a specific post. This is what isknown as a “Speculative” letter. It is an opportunity to sellyourself into a job.

ContentThe following format provides a useful basis for a letter:• Briefly introduce yourself, state what position you areapplying for and where you saw it advertised.

For a speculative letter, include the type of work you are lookingfor.

• Explain why you are interested in this type of work, showingan understanding of what it is likely to involve.

• Explain why you are interested in working for this particularorganisation. Show that you have researched the company,refer to new contracts that they may have recently won, letthem know that you see them as a good company to workfor.

• Show that you are suitable for this position. Give examples ofthings that show you have the right skills and experience. Ifyou feel that you don’t yet have a lot of “work” skills, showthat you are keen to learn new things and try and relateexperiences you have gained outside of work to the job. Forexample, if the role you are applying for needs customerservice skills think of a situation where you have had to dealwith people in a tricky situation and explain how you haveachieved a positive outcome. You need to try and show theemployer that things you have done, or your attitude andaims are exactly what they need.

• Take the opportunity, if necessary, to answer any questionsthat may arise regarding things like gaps in your experienceor anywhere you do not match the selection criteria. It’s okayto say that you don’t have some of the experience needed aslong as you stress the point that you have the capabilities tolearn what is needed to carry out the required tasks. Stressthe fact that you are keen to learn and offer any otherexperience you do have which relates to the job. Take theopportunity to turn negatives into positives by showing howyou have overcome any problems in the past.

• Let the employer know when you are available for interview.

StyleA professional business layout is important, addressed to anamed individual wherever possible. If you are sending aSpeculative letter but do not have the name of the person youneed, ring the Company and ask for the name. For example, ifyou want to do a Business Administration Apprenticeship, askfor the name of the Office Manager or Personnel Manager. Ifunsure of who to ask for, explain to the Receptionist what youwant and ask her/him if they know who would be the bestperson to contact.

Your letter should realistically be no more than one side of A4with the same quality paper and font style as your CV. A printedletter is the norm these days, although some companies maystill specify a handwritten one to check out your handwriting. Ifyou are responding to an advert for a specific job, make sureyou follow all specific instructions. If they have requested youapply in handwriting, then make sure you do. If you are askedto phone for an application form and not send a CV then makesure that is how you apply. Always make sure you run a spellcheck on your finished letter as it most important that yourletter does not contain spelling mistakes.

This will be seen as careless and give the impression that you donot take pride in your work. Also make sure that the languageyou use is simple and straightforward - you do not need to uselong words you would not necessarily use in everyday situations,but instead use the kind of words that make your point easilyand effectively.


HOW TO MAKEYOURSELF STAND OUT!PREPARING TO MAKE A TELEPHONE CALLWhether you are contacting a Company for thefirst time to find out if they have any vacancies orfollowing up an application, it can be nerve wracking.However, if you follow these pointers it should all become alittle easier.

Plan the callMake sure you have some kind of action plan - you need todecide what you want to say and to whom. If you are makinga follow up call, have details of your application in front of youor if you are making a speculative call make sure you have acopy of your CV in front of you so you can refer to it whereverneeded. Also make sure you have a pen and paper handy asyou may need to make notes of information you are given, forexample, an address to send your CV in to or an interviewdate.

Prepare an opening statementHave a few lines prepared that let people know exactly whyyou are calling. Try and decide exactly what you want to say,and if it helps, you can write a kind of script and run through itlike a play until you feel confident enough to try it for real. Doa practice run with a member of your family or a friend, themore you practice the more professional you will sound.

Be confident!You need to sound confident even if you’re really quaking inyour boots! The great thing about speaking on the phoneinstead of face to face is that the person talking to you cannotsee your facial expressions so it can actually be easier to sound

confident. Whether you are speaking to the MD of amultinational or the receptionist always remember to try andsound as confident as possible in everything that you say.Remember you want that job and this is your chance to letthem know!

Don’t be scared!If you make a mistake whilst on a call or you stutter yourwords, don’t worry. Nobody is perfect! All you can do is tryyour best, and remember, if this call doesn’t go well – the nextone will be better!

Be yourselfEveryone has a “telephone voice”, but make sure yours is asclose to your regular voice as possible. For example, if you havea really strong Liverpool accent and you try and sound likePrince Charles on the phone – it’s not really going to work! Beproud, calm and confident.Another trick to remember is to smile when you are talking onthe phone. This may sound a little crazy but it is actually a wellknown fact that when you smile, your vocal chords naturallyrelax making your voice sound much friendlier as well as a littlecalmer. So keep smiling when you pick up that phone!

Be polite!Always remember your manners! Greet the person you aretalking to politely, use their name where necessary and alwaysthank the person for their time at the end of the conversation.Good manners cost nothing,


HOW TO MAKEYOURSELF STAND OUT!WRITING A CVWhat does Curriculum Vitae or CV mean?It's a Latin phrase that means “Path of life” - in other words itis a kind of life story but not the kind that gives all your secretsaway! It should only include things which are relevant to yourapplication for employment, this is basically contact details,qualifications, relevant experience and a statement aboutyourself showing how keen and enthusiastic you are.

How to write a CVWriting a CV for the first time can seem like an impossible task.You just don't know what to put in or what to leave out. Youmay feel you've done nothing and achieved nothing that'srelevant. Getting started is the hardest part. However, bythinking about your skills and experiences to date you will soonbe able to create an accurate summary of all the positive thingsabout you that can help land that job!

There are basically 2 types of CV’s (Curriculum Vitae):• Chronological CV – Chronological means “in order of time”and is a way of listing things in date order. This is the mostcommon way to write a CV and puts everything you havedone in date order - starting with your most recentexperiences and achievements.

• Functional CV – Functional means “practical” and is moreabout your skills and achievements - starting with what youthink is most important or relevant to the job you areapplying for.

In the main, a “Chronological” CV will be the better option, asat this stage in your career you are less likely to have gainedenough practical experience to develop a “Functional” CV.Along with your CV you will send a covering letter. Theattached sheets explain how to put together a Cover letter.

You must be precise - a CV that is too long or too many pageswill probably end up in the bin. If you get to interview stage,this is the time to tell the employer more about yourself.

Make sure that your CV is:• Typed - if you don't have your own equipment, use school,college, Connexions Centre or try your local library

• Clear - don't try to be fancy! Keep it black print on whitepaper in an easy to read font such as Arial 12

• Logical - start with your name and contact details, workthrough your school, college and any work experience

• Accurate - proof read it and make sure it makes sense andthere are no spelling mistakes – it is always worthwhilegetting someone else to check it too as they may spot thingsyou don’t

• Keep it short and to the point – don’t waffle! A maximum of2 sides of A4 is plenty.

Above all be honest in your CV – remember you will have tosupport anything you have written when you get to interviewstage!


HOW TO MAKEYOURSELF STAND OUT!CV GUIDELINESTell the employer you can do the job by showing themhow/why you can. Work out what qualifications, experience, andskills that are required for the job and think of what you havedone that matches those requirements. Give examples ofsituations where you have used the kind of skills the employer islooking for.

Tell the truthRemember that the employer is not looking for anyonesuperhuman - there will always be things that are required of youin any new job that you don’t have experience of right now. Don’tlie as they will only find out in the end. Instead let them know thatyou are keen to learn, and emphasize what you can do.

Writing style• Make sure the spelling is correct. Check it through a wordprocessor such as Microsoft Word. Get at least two people tocheck and read your CV.

• Print your CV on good quality plain white A4 paper.

• Keep sentences and paragraphs short.

• Use past tense.

• A CV should be no longer than two sides of A4.

What to include and not to include:

• Don't include any negatives or anything critical.• Don't include poor exam grades, or unfortunate workexperiences.

• Don't include details of referees, state that “References areavailable upon request”

• There is no need to include a photograph, unless it isspecifically requested.

• Do not include any humour, you need to be straight talking nota comedian.

• There is no need to show your expected salary.

Personal DetailsThere is no need to include gender, or marital status, as mostemployers are not allowed by UK law to take these factors intoaccount when selecting employees.

Education/QualificationsWhere relevant give full details, including School attended as wellas the exams taken and grades attained. Include any additionalawards or any other recognition you have gained fromSchool/College or any other training you have done.

Employment/Work ExperienceDescribe achievements, not just responsibilities. Show what youachieved for the company during your time there. If there arethings that you were part of at School or College that wererecognised as being successful, make sure you mention them.

Include any voluntary or work placement activities, as well as parttime work whether it is a paper round, babysitting, shop work - itall shows you are keen to work and have already gained practical

skills. It is also worth remembering that having done any kind ofvoluntary work shows a good level of motivation anddemonstrates how keen you are to work and gain practicalexperience, so include this too. Try and show how you havegained the skills you have, which are needed for the job forwhich you are applying.

Don't belittle or under value your experience. It is up to you toshow how and why it has given you useful skills.Most jobs require:• The ability to communicate with other people

• Being able to work as part of a team

• Being able to work under pressure

• Being prepared to do your share of mundane tasks.

So, show how you have gained these skills, whether it is throughprojects at school or actual work experience it all counts!

SkillsYou should include:• Languages.

• Computing/IT skills.

• Keyboard skills.

• Communication Skills

• Problem Solving Skills

• Ability to work on your own or as a member of a team

• Driving ability (provisional or full licence).

• Membership of relevant clubs or societies.

Make sure you list any other skills that will interest an employer ifthey are relevant. When listing languages make sure you includeyour level such as fluent, intermediate, or basic.

For computing skills make sure you mention the packages youhave used such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint,Outlook etc. Show your ability to type quickly and accurately.Make sure you spell driving licence the UK spelling (licence) andnot the US spelling (license).


Please see below for some example CV’s:

Jimmy Smitts

22 South Street, Southworld, SW8 1MT 07791 [email protected]

Objective [Describe your career goal or ideal job.]

Experience [Job Title]

[Dates of employment] [Company Name],[Town, County]

• [Job responsibility/achievement]



[Job Title]





[Job Title]





[Job Title]





Education [School Name], [Town, County]

[Dates of attendance]

• [Degree obtained]

• [Special award/accomplishment]

Interests [Briefly list interests that may pertain to thetype of job you want.]

References References are available on request.

Style One: Style Two:

Joe McJones1 Jose PlaceSmalltownSmallsvilleSM11 1ST

Tel: 07232 136517

Personal Profile:A reliable and conscientious individual with an excellenttimekeeping and attendance record. Possessing the ability towork to exceptionally high standards whilst always retaining aflexible attitude with an awareness of the necessity to adaptquickly to any given situation. Both honest and trustworthy,with a good attitude towards work colleagues, possessing agood understanding of the importance of team work whilstbeing able to display a high level of initiative. Alwayswilling to learn new skills and looking for an opportunity whichwill allow both personal and career development.

Work Experience:

Part Time Retail Assistant Jan 2006 - PresentJJB Sports, SmalltownThis was a part time job, working weekends and some weekdays in my school holidays. I helped customers with enquiries,checked stock, operated an electronic till and helped cash up atthe end of the day. I was also involved in the merchandising ofstock and helping with any special promotions we ran.

Car Mechanic November 2006J9 Motors, SmallsvilleThis was a two week work experience which was a greatopportunity to see how a Garage works. I helped with basic oilchanges and watched some of the bigger jobs being done. Ireally enjoyed my time doing this job and it helped me decidethat I wanted to do a Modern Apprenticeship in MotorMechanics.

Education:

Smallsville High School 2002 - 2007Expected grades 7 x GCSE Grades B - E

Hobbies and Interests:I enjoy listening to music, reading and socialising with friends.I also have a keen interest in cars and mechanics. I regularlyhelp my Dad with his car and enjoy going to watch rallycompetitions.

References are available upon request.

CV TEMPLATES

HOW TO MAKEYOURSELF STAND OUT!


HOW TO MAKEYOURSELF STAND OUT!FOLLOW UP CALLSOnce you have sent a speculative letter and CV, it is a goodidea to follow it up a week or so later. Not only does thisshow that you are keen, but it also shows initiative which iswhat a potential employer wants to see.When you make that call follow these simple steps.

Don’t be scared!If you make a mistake making a call or you stutter yourwords, don’t worry. You can always put the phone downknowing that you will not have to speak to that personagain. You are only a voice on the end of the phone.

Prepare an opening statementHave a few lines prepared that let people know exactly whyyou are calling. Don’t read the line like an android, but if youhave prepared something to say beforehand it will give youtime to compose your thoughts.

Be confidentIf you sound nervous the person you are calling isn’t likely totake what you have to say that seriously. Whether you arespeaking to the MD of a multinational or the receptionistalways remember to try and sound as confident as possible ineverything that you say. Remember you want that job!

Be yourselfEveryone has a persona they like to project when doingbusiness - this is only natural, however if you are relaxed andnatural on the phone, you will appear more confident andable to the person you are calling.

Be polite!Make sure you thank the person on the end of the phone fortheir time regardless of the outcome.

SELL YOURSELF INTO THAT JOB!All your prospective employer knows about you is theinformation presented in your application form and CV. Aninterview, while seeming scary, is an opportunity for you tosell yourself.

Selling yourself rarely comes naturally. The ability ofpromoting yourself and your skills is something that comeswith time, but, we all have to start somewhere!Use every opportunity you can to build these skills - yourschool or college might offer presentation skills courses ormay have a debating society that you can become involvedwith. Anything that builds your confidence is well worthgetting involved in as the basic rule of selling is that peoplebuy from people. What is meant by this is that the personselling a product is what gets the buyer to purchase - and inthis case the product you are selling is you!

The key things to remember are:• Be confident, without being cocky

• Be polite, without sucking up

• Be enthusiastic, without going overboard

• Be knowledgeable, without looking like a know-it-all

If you feel that you have had little formal work experience, tryto think of things you have done in your personal life thatyou could use for examples. Have you helped organise anyevents?

Have you done anything for charity or any kind of voluntarywork? Babysat? Had a paper round? Jot all the things youhave done on a piece of paper and try to think of the skillsneeded to do these things and you will soon see how muchpractical experience and how many skills you actually have.Even things like involvement in sports activities as a hobbycan prove useful as team sports teach you to appreciate theimportance of teamwork, as well as encouraging you to useyour initiative and make decisions.

Be prepared!One way to help you to prepare for your interview is to drawup a checklist. This will help you focus on what you need todo and give you the opportunity to check you have doneeverything. You could include things such as:• If your interview information has been sent by letter, ringup and confirm that the time and date is okay for you

• During your confirmation call find out exactly where theinterview will be held and what it will be like - will it be apanel, will there be any tests

• Give yourself plenty of time to get there, check out bus ortrain times in advance or whether it is easy to park. Ifpossible, do a dummy run at the same time as yourinterview and by the same mode of transport you will beusing on the day

• Decide what to wear - make sure what you choose is cleanand smart but comfortable too. Ensure your shoes areclean too – get polishing if need be!

• Find out about the company (e.g. Sainsburys) and thesector (Retail) to show you are interested in that field. Afew days before keep an eye on the TV news and read thenewspapers in case there is a big story relating to the fieldyou are going into, if there is, show that you are aware ofit

• Read through your application form and CV. Think aboutwhat questions an interviewer might ask and come upwith some replies

• Finally, try to go to bed at a reasonable time the nightbefore so that you are fresh on the day and make sure youget up in plenty of time, ensuring you are not runningaround at the last minute!


HOW TO MAKEYOURSELF STAND OUT!TYPICAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONSHere is a selection of the types of questions you may beasked with ideas on how to answer:

Why should we employ you in this post?Their advertisement for the job and job specification mayhelp you a little bit, but you should also think of the otherqualities that may be required. These may includeleadership ability, supervisory skills, communication skills,interpersonal skills, problem solving, practical skills, etc.Give the interviewer examples of things that you havedone in the past which show you have the right skills.Also think about the personal attributes you have thatmay help you get the job, i.e. good communication skills,initiative, the ability to work under pressure, confidentand mature attitude.

What can you bring to the team?This is your chance to shine! Tell them about yourachievements in your previous position(s) which arerelevant to the job you are applying for. If you have littleor no work experience, try and think of achievements atschool or in any clubs or any other situation you can thinkof.

Why do you want to work for this company?Emphasise the positive reasons why you want to join theircompany, but avoid aspects such as more money orshorter hours. These would not endear you to aprospective employer.

Try and let the Company know that you have researchedthem too, e.g. if they have recently won new contracts,mention this along with the fact that this shows they area growing company which you really want to becomepart of. Let them know that you have a high opinion ofthem without sucking up too much!

What do you know about this company?This is your chance to impress the interviewer with yourknowledge of their company. Give them a rundown oftheir products and services, any big contracts they areinvolved in, news, customers, etc. If you check the

company’s website out prior to interview, you should beable to pick up this kind of information. If they do nothave a website then look them up in trade journals,request company literature as most companies will atleast have some kind of promotional booklet or leafletwhich gives a history of the company and highlights theirmajor achievements. One of these can be requested bytelephone prior to interview.

What interests you about our product (or service)?Again, your research into the company should aid you inanswering this question. But you can also tell them aboutthe fact that you have a general interest in the type ofwork they do, and you see them as a market leader orone the most forward thinking companies in their field.Try and make all your answers positive, don’t mention anynegative points as they are much more likely to employsomeone who has a positive imageof their company than someone who is negative aboutthem!

What can we (the new company) offer you?Tread carefully here! Again do not mention money. Acompany is much more likely to employ someone whohas genuine interests in working and learning thansomeone who is just obviously there for the money!Stress opportunities for personal growth, new challenges,etc. When talking about Apprenticeships, you have theperfect answer for this type of question - you want tolearn practical, on the job experiencewhilst gaining a Nationally recognised qualification. Thisshows you are keen to develop a career and give yourselfa trade rather than just gain a job that gives you nothingmore than a wage. Get this point across to theinterviewer – the interviewer will only know what you tellthem!

REMEMBER - THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY

TO SELL YOURSELF!


THE BIG DAY!So, it’s your Big Day! Although you are bound to be nervous,there are a few things which you can do to calm your nerves.If you have followed all the preparation steps you don’t reallyhave too much to worry about, as you should haveeverything under control.

First impressions are really important. Did you know that, onaverage, it takes 7 seconds for someone to form an initialopinion of you? This means that their first thoughts aboutwhat you are like as a person are based solely on the way youlook and your body language. If you have planned youroutfit, made sure you are clean and fresh, and looking thepart - you’ll be half way there already!

In the actual interview try and make sure that:• You arrive at least 5 to 10 minutes before your allottedtime and make sure you have everything with you, youmay need. This includes your CV, a copy of yourapplication form and your record of achievement.

• Just before you go into interview, read through your CV,also read the job specification if you have one or anybackground information on the company you have torefresh your mind

• When you walk into the interview, walk in confidently withyour head held high and looking confident. Make sure youwalk tall - no shuffling in with your head down, staring atyour shoes!

• It’s really important that you gain eye contact with theinterviewer as soon as you enter the room as this showsyou are confident and focused. Also, make sure you shakehands when introduced to the interviewer. Your handshakeshould be firm (without cutting off the interviewers bloodsupply!)

• When you are asked to take a seat, make sure you sit upstraight - no slouching!

• You should know in advance whether the interview will bean individual or a panel. If a panel, this will usually be 2 - 4people. You should be told who everyone is and oneperson will chair the interview. All the panel members mayask questions and it is important that you maintain eyecontact with the person who has asked the question,when you begin answering, however you need toremember to look at the other members of the panel tooin order to bring them into the conversation.

• The interview may be one-to-one – again concentrate andmaintain eye contact with the interviewer. Listen carefullyto each question as it is asked and think about youranswers. Don’t rush your answer and try to keep youranswers concise - don’t waffle or talk about things that arenot related to the question.

• A good interviewer will always try to put you at your easeby asking you simple questions about who you are, whatyou have been doing recently etc. This should help yourelax.

• Try and treat the questions you’re asked like a normalconversation - all the interviewer is trying to do is find outabout the type of person you are. Remember it is not aninterrogation!

• If it is a larger recruitment day you might be asked toundertake group work with other applicants to see nowyou work within a team. There could also be a wider rangeof tests - personality, aptitude or specific abilities likeworking with IT.

• But remember, you won't be surprised by what theinterview is about as during your preparation you will havealready checked this out!

• Most importantly, be honest with all of your answers.


Craig WardFormer HairdressingApprentice - now openingup his own salon

I chose to do a HairdressingApprenticeship with Walsall Collegebecause I didn’t want to study full-time and instead wanted a morehands on salon experience.

I completed my Apprenticeship atInspirations Salon in Hednesford andI really enjoyed working in the salonand meeting new people. I was ableto work at my own speed and Icompleted the Level 2 in 14 monthsinstead of two years and won thecollege’s Apprentice award at theend of year awards ceremony.

The Apprenticeship allowed me togain all the skills I need in theindustry, from very basic knowledgeto begin with, right up to advancedlevel skills.

I also worked for a great boss whowas really understanding andpushed me to succeed. She wasconfident in my abilities and was agood friend to have. The tutors atthe college were also very helpfuland supportive and encouraged mynatural flair for hairdressing.

Since completing the ApprenticeshipI’ve been working as a stylist andhave also used the experience I’vegained to set up my own mobilehairdressing business. I’ve alsorecently gone back to college to doa management course as I plan toopen my own salon soon and woulddefinitely consider taking onapprentices myself.

In the future, I want to go as far aspossible and own a string of salons.My advice to anyone thinking aboutan Apprenticeship would be to gofor it!

Matthew SamudaIntermediate Apprenticeshipin Automotive Maintenance& Repair

Talented Automotive Apprentice,Matthew Samuda has recently beenpresented with the Chief FireOfficers’ Association’s Apprentice ofthe Year Award at the WestMidlands Fire Service transportengineering workshop.

Sponsored by Allison Transmission,the award is open to apprentices atall fire services nationally, inrecognition of the importance ofworkshop apprentice schemes totraining for the repair andmaintenance of emergency vehicles.

As part of the winning prize,Matthew Samuda (23) has received£250 Snap-on tools vouchers, abespoke engraved torque wrenchand has attended a 7-day AllisonTransmission training course at thecompany’s European Headquartersin The Netherlands. Matthew wonthe award based on his performanceat college and the progress made indeveloping practical skills in theworkplace at the West Midlands FireService transport engineeringworkshop.

Matthew commented: “I’m reallysurprised and pleased to have won

the award! I think I won it because Ihave made such vast progress fromwhen I first began myapprenticeship. During my timehere, I’ve been given the time andsupport to grow and develop myskills, and it’s great to be recognisedfor my hard work.

“I chose an AutomotiveApprenticeship as it’s the best wayto get ahead and gain hands-onexperience. I have really enjoyed thestyle of learning and have met somegreat people here. You get treatedlike an adult and earn money whilstyou gain your skills. I would like touse my experience here to gain a jobworking on articulated trucks in thefuture.”

Steve McCormac, WorkshopManager at the West Midlands FireService transport engineeringworkshop said: “Matthew made aquiet and tentative start, and hasnow matured into a responsibleyoung man who’s achieved hisgoals. It wasn’t easy for him, butwith support from the Fire Serviceand Walsall College, along with a lotof hard work, Matthew has excelledand his achievements have nowbeen recognised on a nationallevel”.

01922 657000 www.walsallcollege.ac.uk [email protected]

Wisemore CampusLittleton Street West Walsall, WS2 8ES

Green Lane CampusLong Acre StreetWalsall, WS2 8HX

Winner 2010/11 Winner 2011/12 Winner 2013/14

March 2017

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