Interview Information

First Impression.
The interview committee is invested in the future of their industry. Enthusiasm for the opportunity to interview will go a long way. Leave yourself plenty of time to arrive at the interview and to calm pre-interview nerves. A good first impression includes being calm and confident. Make your ten minutes count. Smile and practice good posture and eye contact. Avoid nervous gestures such as crossing your arms and tapping your fingers. A good way to avoid fidgeting is to fold your hands on the table.

Attire.
Dress appropriate for the occasion. Nice pants and a button-down shirt are appropriate. Avoid excessive cologne, perfume, jewelry and cosmetics. Practice good hygiene and be well-groomed.

Application portfolio.
The panel will review anything that you included with your application such as a cover letter, resume, letters of recommendation, photos and certificates. Such information should be provided prior to the interview day so that it can be included in your file. If you have additional material to include you may bring those with you to the interview. Due to the rapid pace and the high volume of interviews, it is important to draw their attention to your application materials that emphasize your work ethic, ability to work under pressure, and any experience and skills that transfer to the construction industry.

Behavioral Interview Questions.
These are questions like “Why should we choose you?” There are no right or wrong answers to behavioral interview questions. The interviewers are getting a sense of your past experiences and how they will translate to your role as an apprentice. Do an internet search of behavioral interview questions – this will give you an idea of what to expect. Prior to your interview, think about life events or experiences that illustrate your knowledge of the construction and electrical industries, your interest in apprenticeship, your ability to work well with others as a team, and your ability to be self-motivated, responsible, and dependable. Now that you have a list of experiences, prepare a response for any questions that you may be asked about each one. Use the structure: Situation… Action… Result.

Situation or task.
Describe the event or task, taking care to use enough detail for the interviewer to understand but not so much that you burn up a lot of time.

Action.
Describe what you did to complete the task or to resolve the situation. If it was a team effort, keep the focus on what you did effectively.

Result.
Conclude your answer with a description of the result of your efforts. Include lessons learned if you learned something from the situation.

Be concise but not too concise.
Keep your answers positive and specific, and avoid rambling. You have ten minutes – make them count by being succinct, to the point, and focused. Avoid one or two-word answers. Ask for clarification if you don’t know how to answer a question.

IBEW Electrical Worker.
Explain why becoming a union IBEW electrician or technician is important to you. The selection committee is looking for team players and leaders who have a strong desire and drive to be an asset to the IBEW workforce.

Practice.
Practice interviewing with your family and friends as much as possible. The more you practice the more relaxed and confident you will be in the interview.