OPEN DAYS AND INTERVIEWS

WHY TO UNIVERSITIES OR TRAINING PROVIDERS INVITE YOU TO OPEN DAYS?

Ask questions Meet tutors/ see facilities See accommodation/ sports/ spare time facilities Try out the journey Can you see yourself studying/ working there? So they can impress you – all universities want to be oversubscribed Training providers tend to do open events if they know they will have lots of vacancies for new apprentices

WHY HAVE INTERVIEWS? Some universities have interviews for all the same reasons as open days ! The interview can be quite informal but you still won’t get an offer if you don’t go and can talk about your course. For some universities and courses, particularly vocational courses, it is a key part of the selection procedure and a definite ‘yes’ or ‘no’ decision is made based on how well a candidate does at interview. Jobs and apprenticeships usually involve 1 or more interviews.

VOCATIONAL COURSES ARE OFTEN MORE COMPETITIVE THAN SUBJECTS SO INTERVIEWS ARE CRUCIAL

DIFFERENT KINDS OF INTERVIEWS Classic 1:1 Interview 1 person or a small group asks 1 candidate a series of questions

DIFFERENT KINDS OF INTERVIEWS Interviewing multiple candidates at the same time 1 person asks a number of candidates a series of questions in turn This can feel quite strange as all candidates are answering the same question and hearing one another’s answers It is sometimes used as a way of interviewing lots of people in a short time

DIFFERENT KINDS OF INTERVIEWS Group Task Interview A group of candidates are given a task and observed in completing it to see how you work with other people

DIFFERENT KINDS OF INTERVIEWS Speed dating style A large number of candidates work their way around a series of stations answering questions or completing tasks Many medicine interviews now work in this way and there can be up to 20+

DIFFERENT KINDS OF INTERVIEWS Telephone Interview Common for jobs and apprenticeships to screen lots of people for multiple vacancies Treat it like a face to face interview in terms of preparation Create a professional environment for the call, no interruptions. Have your information and blank paper ready to make any notes. Ideally sit at a desk or stand up.

DIFFERENT KINDS OF INTERVIEWS Or a combination of 2 or more of these

PREPARING FOR INTERVIEWS THE EASY STUFF Read any information you are sent carefully so you know what to expect Read your application again Plan – Check you have anything they ask you to bring eg GCSE certificates or a presentation or a portfolio of work and plan your journey in advance

PREPARING FOR INTERVIEWS THE NOT QUITE SO EASY STUFF Stay up to date on current issues and do further reading around what you have applied for for academic subjects reading around your subject outside of what is covered in class eg New Scientist, The Economist, Novels outside of those on the curriculum for vocation courses reading up on news from related organisations or reputable sources eg The Nursing Times, New Scientist checking the BBC website etc You can find organisations linked to your career interests on the national careers service website job profiles. Use myday, online resources, sir for university reading lists and search for online resources on iknow

PREPARING FOR INTERVIEWS THE NOT QUITE SO EASY STUFF Practice typical interview questions and talking about yourself Practice typical interview questions and talking about yourself again – the more you practice the better you will be Check out possible questions in ‘ Brian Heap’ available in The Know or check The Student Room Book a mock interview with Joanne or Kevin the Careers Advisers

PREPARING FOR INTERVIEWS THE NOT QUITE SO EASY STUFF What first impression do you give? Practice giving a good first impression all the time. It’s easier to get into the habit rather than trying to switch it on an interview Students can sign up for Barclays lifeskills ( it’s free) to work on whatever their weakness may be

GOOD LUCK! TIPS FOR INTERVIEWS…