Apprenticeship interview tips
Apprenticeship interviews aren’t about catching you out; they’re about proving you’re ready to learn, ready to work, and ready to grow. With the right preparation, you can walk in confident, clear, and in control.
These apprenticeship interview tips will help you prepare for the big day, understand the most common apprenticeship interview questions, and give you the tools to deliver answers that stand out.
How to prepare for an apprenticeship interview
If you want to perform well, preparation is your edge. Here’s how to prepare for an apprenticeship interview:
Do your research
Know the basics about the company, the team, and the role.
Understand:
What the company does
The apprenticeship you’re applying for
Why that industry matters
Know your reasons
You’ll almost certainly be asked:
“Why do you want this apprenticeship?”
Have a clear, personal answer ready (see sample answer below).
Prepare examples
Think about situations where you:
Solved a problem
Worked in a team
Showed initiative
Learned something new
These become powerful interview stories.
Practise out loud
Run through common interview questions for an apprenticeship until your answers sound confident, not scripted.
Common apprenticeship interview questions
These are some of the most frequent apprenticeship interview questions, so prepare for them:
Why do you want this apprenticeship?
What skills can you bring to the role?
Tell us about a time you solved a problem.
How do you handle challenges or pressure?
What do you know about this company?
What are your career goals?
What interests you about this industry?
Tell us about a time you worked in a team.
This page gives you stronger, clearer guidance.
Sample answers you can adapt
Why do you want this apprenticeship? (Sample answer)
“I want this apprenticeship because it gives me the chance to build real experience while learning skills that matter. I’m motivated by practical work and I enjoy learning by doing. This role fits my interests, my strengths, and the direction I want my career to grow.”
Tell us about a time you solved a problem.
“During a project at school/work, something wasn’t working as expected. I identified the issue, tried a few solutions, and asked for help when needed. In the end, we fixed it — and I learned a new approach for next time.”
Short, clear, confident — exactly what employers look for.
Questions to ask the employer
Interviews go both ways. Here are strong apprenticeship questions to ask employers:
What does a successful apprentice look like in your team?
What skills will I develop here?
What are the biggest challenges in this role?
How will my progress be supported and reviewed?
What opportunities are there after the apprenticeship?
Employers love thoughtful questions — it shows ambition and initiative.
These also count as:
questions to ask at an apprenticeship interview
questions to ask at the end of an apprenticeship interview
Degree apprenticeship interview questions
If you’re preparing for a higher-level programme, expect deeper questions:
Why do you want a degree apprenticeship instead of university?
How do you balance work and study?
What motivates you in long-term projects?
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced academically or professionally?
These degree apprenticeship interview questions test maturity and commitment.
How to present yourself
You don’t need a suit, you do need to look prepared:
Dress cleanly and professionally
Be on time (10–15 minutes early)
Bring a notebook and pen
Keep your posture confident
Maintain eye contact
Even small choices affect first impressions.
How to stay calm and focused
Nerves are normal. Performance comes from preparation.
To stay in control:
Breathe slowly before the interview
Remind yourself why you’re ready
Focus on the conversation, not perfection
Pause before answering
Back yourself
You’ve prepared. You’ve practised. Now you perform.
What to do during the interview
This is where your preparation pays off:
Listen actively
Take a moment before answering. Think > speak.
Keep answers focused
Clear. Concise. Relevant. No long stories.
Show enthusiasm
Employers pick apprentices who want to grow.
Use the STAR method
Situation
Task
Action
Result
This structure helps with interview questions for apprentices.
Apprentice interviews: what employers look for
Employers hiring apprentices look for:
Attitude
Curiosity
Motivation
Reliability
Communication skills
Willingness to learn
You’re not expected to know everything. They want someone who will grow, not someone who knows it all on day one.
This is why apprenticeship interview tips focus on confidence, clarity, and effort over experience.