IF YOU’VE APPLIED FOR A PLACE AT COLLEGE, YOU WILL SOON BE SENT A DATE FOR AN INTERVIEW BUT DON’T WORRY, IT’S NOT AS SCARY AS IT SOUNDS
The interview is a great opportunity for you, and us, to make sure you’re on the right programme so you can make the most of your time here at College once you get started.
Your interview with the College may be in-person, over the phone or via Microsoft Teams.
While there are lots of helpful hints and tips online about interviews, we thought it would be good to share some tips in this blog relevant to our Colleges. If you have any specific questions about your interview, please feel free to get in touch with us and a member of our team will be able to help you.
Getting ready
Preparation is key for any type of interview. You will be sent a date and time for your interview –make a note of it straight away and set a reminder for a couple of days before and let anyone know that may need to support you (school, parents, family).
If you have a phone interview we will call you from a withheld number, so check your phone accepts these calls. If you have recently changed your number or if your number needs updating let us know before the interview.
If you are coming to an in-person interview, be sure to check you can get to us either via a lift, walking or local bus.
Review the curriculum presentation link if one was included in your interview invite.
Prepare answers to any of the questions we may have asked you to think about before your interview, for example:
- Why do you want to do this course?
- What interests you about the subject?
- Do you have any previous experience?
When it’s time for your interview, be ready 5 minutes before the start time whether that be in the reception of the campus building, ready at your phone or via the Teams link you have been sent. Make sure you are available when the tutor rings or meets you.
Six TOP TIPS FOR INTERVIEWS (PHONE, TEAMS OR FACE-TO-FACE)
Be sure to arrive early, at least 5 minutes to either the campus if your interview is face-to-face, ready by your phone or on the Teams link you have been sent. Make sure you are comfy and you are prepared.
Tell everyone you need to – Mum, dad, big brother, little sister – everyone needs to know what you’re doing so that they can either help you get to your interview or so that they don’t disturb you during your interview.
Have a small glass of water beforehand. This helps refresh your mind, calm nerves and improves your focus.
Dress as you would for a face-to-face meeting/interview. This helps your confidence believe it or not. Make sure you smile 😊
Smiling helps show your enthusiasm and gives you confidence. Body language really goes a long way.
A practice run through with a friend or family member is a really good idea. Sometimes when we’re so used to communicating through text or WhatsApp, we can lose a bit of confidence speaking in person, over the phone or via Teams, but it doesn’t take long to get it back.
The questions below are some common questions asked at College interviews. You might not be asked these exact questions at your interview, but they’re a good starting point to help you prepare. Why not send them to a family member and ask them to give you a call pretending to be the interviewer? Remember, practice makes perfect and they’ll probably be able to give you some useful feedback too.
This is the perfect opportunity to show your enthusiasm and understanding of the course.
What are you hoping to gain from the course? – This enables the tutor to understand your expectations. Your education is our number one priority, so we want to ensure it is the most appropriate course for fulfilling your aspirations.
What would you like to do after your course? – Consider where you would like the course to take you. How will this course help you achieve your goals? Not everyone knows what they want to do, and that’s ok – the course might be a stepping stone to something else, or it may help you decide on a career – there is no right answer.
What do you think your strengths and weaknesses are? – This may seem like a tricky question, as it feels more comfortable to share your strengths over your weaknesses, but we all have them, no one is perfect. Your strengths might be your self-awareness, that you are hardworking and passionate. However, your weakness may well be that you are a bit of a perfectionist, as you sometimes spend too much time trying to make an assignment perfect rather than having the confidence to send it off.
Do you have any questions for me? – Asking questions is your chance to get as much information that you need to make sure this is the right course for you. If there is anything you are unsure of, this is the perfect opportunity to ask.
Try not to get too stressed about the interview. Think of it as a discussion with the tutor rather than a test. Although it is important for us to guide you towards the right course, it’s just as important for you to ensure that the course suits your expectations.
Talk to the tutor about the things you like, your hobbies and what your future plans are – and feel free to ask as many questions as you like. We’re here to support you.
Good luck!
We have a range of entry requirements for different courses:
Level 3 courses
- 4 GCSEs grades 9- 4 OR equivalent
1 year level 2 courses
- 3 GCSEs grades 9-3 OR equivalent
2 year level 2 courses
- 3 GCSEs grades 9-1 OR equivalent, and a keen interest in the subject. Other relevant levels of qualification or experience will be considered.
It’s important to note that different subjects may have specific requirements related to them. More information on the requirements can be found on the course page.
