YOUR POST 16
INTERVIEW 2015
Your interview – important points
to remember
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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.
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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.
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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
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Read the interview letter and check 
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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
You can get everything they have asked
you to take to the interview
Contact them if you are unclear on
anything
Your interview
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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.
Choose suitable clothing – not too
casual, but comfortable
Prepare your list of questions
Get there 5-10 minutes early
Your interview
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Take everything with you –
 Interview letter
 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
 Some drama and theatre studies courses might
include an audition as part of the interview
process
 List of questions
 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
Your interview
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Prepare yourself –
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Read through your application form
Prepare your own questions
Practice your answers to likely
questions
Your interview
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Reasons for your choice[s]
Exam results
 Courses
 Facilities
 Accessibility
 Family/friends influence
 Atmosphere or reputation
 Etc.
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Your interview
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Knowledge about the post 16
option[s] you have chosen –
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Visited on open day
Attended taster days
Read the prospectus or information
about the option
Visited the website
Had a tour
Member of the family has studied there
Talked to other students
Etc.
Your interview
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What you know about the post 16
option[s] you have chosen –
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The areas covered
Type of teaching
Assessment methods
What it can lead on to
Length of course
Hours
Etc.
Your interview
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Your choice of career –
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
 Advice needed
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Your interview
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Your school –
Favourite subjects (and not so
favourite)
 Why you like/don’t like a subject
 Your attendance
 Your reference
 Your predicted grades
 How you think you are performing
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Your interview
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The change –
What are the differences between
school and post 16 learning?
 How will you cope with these?
 Why pick a particular type of
college or apprenticeship/training?
 What are you looking forward to?
 What will you miss?
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Your interview
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Additional areas –
Responsibilities at school
 Sports
 Hobbies
 Outside commitments
 Part-time work
 Work-experience
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Your interview
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You –
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How would you describe yourself?
What are your qualities?
How would you fit in to the college,
course, apprenticeship, training etc?
How would you cope with the changes?
What are you proud of?
Do you think you’ll need any support –
for learning or financial issues,
mentoring etc.?
Your interview
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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
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