advice really

[cornishnutter]

hey guys I was wondering has anyone got any advice on securing a welding apprenticeship, I have had a couple of interviews but then get knocked back, also I am going to do a few practice welds for you guys tio look at and so will post pictures in due course

 

[cumbriasteve]

If you are getting as far as an interview then that is a positive, if you don't get the position it means someone else did who impressed more at the interview or your interviews deemed in their opinion you were not suitable for what could be various reasons.

The jobseekers lot, if that's their right name, I am sure offer interview coaching, well worth attending if possible.

Other than that it's basically:

Look smart
Find out about the firm
Shake hands and smile
Speak and look at the interviewer, not the floor or desk in front of you
Have evidence of what you have done or why you think you are the one for the job
Don't waffle, if you don't know an answer then admit you don't know
A final handshake and thank them for the opportunity to be interviewed

Try to have an evidence portfolio of up to 6 pages put together, some good quality photographs with descriptive comments of your work, does not matter if the welds are only at beginners stage, a copy of your cv and if at all possible a praising note or reference of anything you have done for anybody, finishing with a personal note of why you are interested in the role and what you can offer the company over the years to come.

Make a very good job of the portfolio, don't distract them with it at the start, leave it at the end saying something like, ' may I leave this with you, it's just some of my evidence I may have forgotten to mention'.

A well put together portfolio can be a winning tool, it shows you have put work and time into the application and serves as a reminder of who you are after the interviews are finished.

 

[jimmyspeed]

Great advice above from steve, all i can add really is a well written and enthusiastic covering letter is important to get your cv read and a future interview. Also it may take some time to find the right job for you, i took me the best part of 3 years. I worked full time throughout (which they take as a positive) in a different industry, i went to several interviews and got several jobs but choose not too take them on because they weren't interesting enough or making the right products to keep me motivated.

For you its a great time to look and get a job i have found the job market has really picked up this year and there are plenty of opportunities.

A few tips on searching for a job - i found cv library quite good especially within the first month of logging in, https://www.gov.uk/jobsearch is good if you search " workshop, trainee, apprenticeship, welding" look daily. For local jobs, gumtree is quite good and i found some interesting work there from bronze casting huge statues to a local blacksmith seeking an apprentice - you will however have to sift through loads of junk on there

good luck

 

[Kent]

Speak to those who offer the Training through the Skills funding agency in your area. Unfortunately the Employer now has a lot of hard paper shuffling to do to get funding and it cannot be done for them.
Best thing is call on all the local employers in person once you have all the facts at hand, remove the competition for that job by being first there and pro-active in creating your own opportunity above all it shows attitude, good luck.

 

[chunkolini]

Interview technique.?
This might help.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Interview technique.?
This might help.

I hope I never have to interview for a job with you chunk if you think that's the way to go

 

[cornishnutter]

cheers guys

 

[500e]

Cumbriasteve has the way to go.
Look Smart, if you don't know the answer say so do not prevaricate, don't call people mate or buddy, the interviewer normally tells you their name,if not Sir Madam usually elicits a response
I know it is not PC to say but weird hair, piercings, tats, scaggy cloths do not usually give the correct impression to the interviewer.

 

[Jan]

You could have the IQ and verbal 'skills' of George W Bush and still get the job if Chunk was your only competition

 

[wristpin]

Look smart
Find out about the firm
Shake hands and smile
Speak and look at the interviewer, not the floor or desk in front of you
Have evidence of what you have done or why you think you are the one for the job
Don't waffle, if you don't know an answer then admit you don't know
A final handshake and thank them for the opportunity to be interviewed

Spot on but I would add that when shaking hands, look the man in the eye . Don't Know why but I've interviewed several people who seem to deliberately turn away (I'm not that ugly!) and it makes them look shifty. I took one such on because he came highly recommended and he ended up stealing from me!