The Most Common Apprenticeship Interview Questions (and how to answer them)

So you’ve applied for an apprenticeship…

You have found the perfect scheme, the employer is delightful, and they have read your CV, cover letter and application form with absolute joy. Because they like you so much, they’ve invited you to an interview. You are but one step away from securing the apprenticeship.

Here is your guide to the most common apprenticeship interview questions, with advice on how to answer them. Preparation is key for a successful interview, so read on and give yourself the best chance of securing the job!

• Tell me about yourself
• Why do you want this apprenticeship?
• What are your strengths?
• What are your biggest weaknesses?
• What skills would you like to improve during this apprenticeship?
• Do you have any questions?

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Q1) Tell me about yourself…

An interviewer will ask this sort of question early on as an ice-breaker and a chance to know more about you.

Talking about yourself is often the hardest thing to do in an interview. The most important thing to remember is not to ramble. Keep it short and aim to stay within max one-minute max.

Remember, an employer isn’t asking for your life story. They don’t care about the wondrous shepherd’s pie your mother made last Tuesday.

Instead, discuss your personality and your interests. Think about the following…

• What kind of person are you?
• What hobbies (relevant to the role) are you interested in?

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AVOID discussing the more controversial topics, such as politics or religion, anything that’ll sway the interviewer’s opinion. 

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Q2) Why do you want this apprenticeship?

If you can’t answer this question, you probably shouldn’t be in the interview. It would indicate a lack of interest in the apprenticeship and show you are clueless about what you’re applying for.

Before your interview, think about why you applied for the apprenticeship.

Were you attracted to the company? Was it the course content that convinced you that this was the way to go? Perhaps it was the combination of professional work experience and further qualifications that charmed you…

Consider the reasons why and convey them to the interviewer.

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Q3) What are your strengths?

Here you get to boast a little. However, reading out an exhaustive list of adjectives, buzzwords and things you are good at will be an instant career turn-off for the employer.

Your interviewer will be somewhat taken aback if you respond with something like…’I’m a creative person, very good at working with other people, and have a talent for tennis, water polo, Monopoly, crosswords, picking dandelions and playing the fiddle.’

Instead, focus on two or three soft skills, such as good communication, problem-solving or a strong work ethic. Then, give an example of a situation in which you have used that skill.

If you can link your strengths to past experiences, the interviewer will lose their mind in the best of ways.

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Q4) What is your biggest weakness?

Do not be afraid of this question. When an interviewer asks you to discuss your weaknesses, they are not looking to trick you or find a reason not to employ you.

The interviewer is simply trying to determine which areas YOU think you could improve. It’s an opportunity to show that you are honest, self-aware and can evaluate your own performance. 

What to AVOID saying

Don’t say that you have no weaknesses. It is possibly the worst response you could give to this question unless you admit to having a weakness for stealing vegetables from supermarkets.

Also, try to avoid giving weaknesses that sound like you’re giving yourself a back-handed compliment. Avoid answers like ‘I just work too hard’ or ‘I’m so efficient, I run out of work to do.’

It doesn’t reflect well.

This is one of the most common apprenticeship interview questions, and most interviewers will expect candidates to have either answered this question previously or at least practised it before the interview.

A poor response will make the interviewer think you haven’t prepared properly.

What you should say

When the interviewer asks, ‘What is your biggest weakness?’ respond with something like this…

‘I have always been an enthusiastic and passionate person, which means I have a tendency to want to be involved in projects that don’t concern me.’

Choose a small aspect of your personality that affects work performance, and highlight it as an area where you could grow and improve. The ability to identify a weakness is a strength.

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Have an interview coming up? Watch this video for the Top 5 Interview Tips…

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Q5) What skills would you like to improve during this apprenticeship?

Much like the strength and weakness questions, employers want to know more about the areas you’re keen to develop, as well as new skills you think will help your career. It’s basically so that if you get the job, they can help you get there.

Apprenticeships are all about learning, so it’s natural (really important actually) to give your skills an upgrade too. But have you thought about what those skills are?

The great thing is, they can be any skill. Whether it’s a skill you’ve never touched, a skill you’re already good at or one that needs a little more work, it’s your opportunity to use an apprenticeship to get better.

Choose three solid skills and talk about why you think the apprenticeship is going to help you get better at them.

For example,

Public speaking: “I am really keen on improving my public speaking skills. I believe it’s a really important skill to have, especially when it comes to giving presentations and sharing ideas in meetings. I really like that this apprenticeship encourages collaboration which will help me open up.”

Leadership: “As the captain of my hockey team, I already have a great handle on my leadership skills but this apprenticeship will help me to develop that further through seeing how my potential manager leads.”

Ideas: “This apprenticeship will help in diversifying where I look for inspiration. I would have access to lots more resources and knowledge that will lead me to put together solid ideas for projects and business development overall.”

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Q6) Why do you want to work for this company?

Always research the employer/company before your interview. 

Look at the company website, any publications they have, and recent projects they’ve done. 

In addition, look out for descriptions of company values and vision. This information is gold dust, specifically for explaining why you want to work for the company. 

Employers are looking for candidates who are enthusiastic about the scheme and can give specific reasons why they want to work for the company over their competitors. They’re also looking for someone they think will fit the company culture.

The chances are, there will be ten other candidates interviewing for the apprenticeship you are applying for. 

Below is an example of a response that will separate you from rival interviewees…

“I would like to work for this company, over its competitors, because of the social and corporate values that run through the heart of the business. This is a company I would enjoy, and be proud to work for.”

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Q7) Do you have any questions?

The interviewer will ask this at the end of your interview. 

They will have spent most of the process finding out more about you and if you’re a good fit for the role, and the company, before putting you on the spot one last time…

‘So Kevin, before we finish, do you have any questions you would like to ask?’

You will be exhausted as the interview comes to a close, worn down by the difficult questions, the pressure, and your effort to appear focused and enthusiastic. 

There might be a voice in your head begging you to shake your head, ask no questions, and escape from the interview room.

Do not listen to this voice. Interviews are a two-way street, and it is crucial that you ask one or two questions at the end of the interview…

• It will convey that you are seriously interested in the role you are applying for and enthusiastic about finding out more.
• You can ask specific questions relating to company culture, job responsibilities and perks to determine if the job/company is right for you.
• It shows that you have prepared for the interview.

Your questions should be focused and open-ended. Do not ask your interviewer a question just for the sake of it or to fill any awkward silence.

Something vague, like “so, um, what’s it like to work here then?” will not do.

Below are some quite brilliant examples of questions you can ask at the end of your interview…

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