YOUR POST 16 INTERVIEW 2014

Your interview – important points to remember Make sure you are on time for your interview. Do not be late and do turn up on the date and time given by the post 16 provider that has offered you the interview. Make sure you are on time for your interview. Do not be late and do turn up on the date and time given by the post 16 provider that has offered you the interview. If you are going to be late, or are unable to attend for any reason, it is very important that you contact the provider who offered you the interview. Their contact details will be in the letter inviting you to the interview. If you are going to be late, or are unable to attend for any reason, it is very important that you contact the provider who offered you the interview. Their contact details will be in the letter inviting you to the interview. If you don’t do this you might miss out on the opportunity of an interview at a later date and a possible place on the course, particularly if it is in a popular subject If you don’t do this you might miss out on the opportunity of an interview at a later date and a possible place on the course, particularly if it is in a popular subject

Your interview Read the interview letter and check - Read the interview letter and check - You know where you are going. [Your interview might take place at your own school or you might have to attend an interview on the Post 16 provider premises. Some colleges, apprenticeship providers etc have more than one campus or different entrances] You know where you are going. [Your interview might take place at your own school or you might have to attend an interview on the Post 16 provider premises. Some colleges, apprenticeship providers etc have more than one campus or different entrances] The date and time are okay The date and time are okay You can get everything they have asked you to take to the interview You can get everything they have asked you to take to the interview Contact them if you are unclear on anything Contact them if you are unclear on anything

Your interview Let your school know, particularly if your interview is taking place at the Post 16 provider premises. Let your school know, particularly if your interview is taking place at the Post 16 provider premises. Arrange transport. Don’t forget to allow plenty of time in case of bus delays, traffic jams etc. Arrange transport. Don’t forget to allow plenty of time in case of bus delays, traffic jams etc. Choose suitable clothing – not too casual, but comfortable Choose suitable clothing – not too casual, but comfortable Prepare your list of questions Prepare your list of questions Get there 5-10 minutes early Get there 5-10 minutes early

Your interview Take everything with you – Take everything with you – Interview letter Interview letter Progress File Presenter or similar folder with evidence showing why you are a suitable candidate for the option you have applied for Progress File Presenter or similar folder with evidence showing why you are a suitable candidate for the option you have applied for Applicants for Art and Design courses should take along a portfolio of their work from school Applicants for Art and Design courses should take along a portfolio of their work from school Some drama and theatre studies courses might include an audition as part of the interview process Some drama and theatre studies courses might include an audition as part of the interview process List of questions List of questions Pen Pen Anything else they have asked you for –some colleges might ask you to take along a copy of your passport or birth certificate to the interview Anything else they have asked you for –some colleges might ask you to take along a copy of your passport or birth certificate to the interview

Your interview Prepare yourself – Prepare yourself – Read through your application form Read through your application form Prepare your own questions Prepare your own questions Practice your answers to likely questions Practice your answers to likely questions

Your interview Reasons for your choice[s] Reasons for your choice[s] Exam results Exam results Courses Courses Facilities Facilities Accessibility Accessibility Family/friends influence Family/friends influence Atmosphere or reputation Atmosphere or reputation Etc. Etc.

Your interview Knowledge about the post 16 option[s] you have chosen – Knowledge about the post 16 option[s] you have chosen – Visited on open day Visited on open day Attended taster days Attended taster days Read the prospectus or information about the option Read the prospectus or information about the option Visited the website Visited the website Had a tour Had a tour Member of the family has studied there Member of the family has studied there Talked to other students Talked to other students Etc. Etc.

Your interview What you know about the post 16 option[s] you have chosen – What you know about the post 16 option[s] you have chosen – The areas covered The areas covered Type of teaching Type of teaching Assessment methods Assessment methods What it can lead on to What it can lead on to Length of course Length of course Hours Hours Etc. Etc.

Your interview Your choice of career – Your choice of career – What you plan to do after the post 16 course or training has ended What you plan to do after the post 16 course or training has ended How the post 16 option you have chosen relates to your career choice How the post 16 option you have chosen relates to your career choice Advice needed Advice needed

Your interview Your school – Your school – Favourite subjects (and not so favourite) Favourite subjects (and not so favourite) Why you like/don’t like a subject Why you like/don’t like a subject Your attendance Your attendance Your reference Your reference Your predicted grades Your predicted grades How you think you are performing How you think you are performing

Your interview The change – The change – What are the differences between school and post 16 learning? What are the differences between school and post 16 learning? How will you cope with these? How will you cope with these? Why pick a particular type of college or apprenticeship/training? Why pick a particular type of college or apprenticeship/training? What are you looking forward to? What are you looking forward to? What will you miss? What will you miss?

Your interview Additional areas – Additional areas – Responsibilities at school Responsibilities at school Sports Sports Hobbies Hobbies Outside commitments Outside commitments Part-time work Part-time work Work-experience Work-experience

Your interview You – You – How would you describe yourself? How would you describe yourself? What are your qualities? What are your qualities? How would you fit in to the college, course, apprenticeship, training etc? How would you fit in to the college, course, apprenticeship, training etc? How would you cope with the changes? How would you cope with the changes? What are you proud of? What are you proud of? Do you think you’ll need any support – for learning or financial issues, mentoring etc.? Do you think you’ll need any support – for learning or financial issues, mentoring etc.?

Your interview Your Progress File Presenter [or similar folder]. Use this as much as possible but make sure the evidence you include is up to date and relevant to the option you have applied for Your Progress File Presenter [or similar folder]. Use this as much as possible but make sure the evidence you include is up to date and relevant to the option you have applied for Your questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification or more information Your questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification or more information What happens next? Make sure you are clear on when you may get an offer, any criteria you need to meet and what the next step is What happens next? Make sure you are clear on when you may get an offer, any criteria you need to meet and what the next step is