School & college leavers may have had a paper round, Saturday job or worked in the holidays, so make sure this useful experience is known to the interviewer. It shows that you are used to the discipline of work – being on time, working for several hours at a stretch.
Try to find out in advance what this particular job involves, either by talking to someone doing it – or something similar – or by reading up leaflets and books in your careers library. You will be tested to see if you understand the job role & your ability to do it.
Questions you could be possibly be asked to be ready for!
- Tell me about your school/college.
- Did you have a good attendance record?
- Were you offered the chance to take GCSEs?
- Which subjects do you feel you could have passed, given the opportunity?
- Did you do as well in A-levels as you expected?
- Why did you decide to do business studies for BTEC?
- What special projects did you undertake at school?
- Did you consider applying for Youth Training?
- What do you really want to do in life?
- Do you see your hobbies/interests/sport as separate from work or connected with it?
- What was involved in your Saturday job with Safeway?
- Do you live with your parents?
- Do you have any brothers or sisters?
- Are they older or younger than you?
- Do your parents work?
- What do they do?
- Are you ambitious?
- Do you plan to continue your education later on?
- Have you considered a vocational course?
A school reference will probably be asked for, in the absence of work experience. Give the name of your head teacher/head of year etc. It can also be a teacher or even mentor that helped you during your education experience. Make sure the person you ask is someone who knows you not just by what’s on reports etc.
It’s natural to be nervous for your first interview but you have to make sure that you are not too shy as you won’t be able to make the best possible impression. If you feel that this could be a problem for you, then practice with friends or family so you won’t feel so nervous and it comes natural to you. It will also pay for you to learn some relaxation tips too in case you start to feel really nervous just before you go into the interview.