Our Tips for Preparing for Your Apprenticeship Interview

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So you’ve applied for an apprenticeship with us, successfully passed your eligibility checks, and now you’re ready to attend your in-person interview and assessments.

Your interview is your chance to show us your passion for hairdressing and to tell us why you’d like to be a hairdressing apprentice.

Chances are, if you’re a school leaver, you may not have had much experience with interviews. In this blog, we’ll share some of our top tips for preparing for your apprenticeship interview, so you can walk in feeling confident and ready to impress.

Get familiar with the process

Good interview preparation starts with understanding what’s ahead. Gather together all the documents and emails we’ve sent so you know exactly when your interview is, what time it starts, what you’ll need to bring, and what to expect on the day.

It can also help to read over the apprenticeship or job description you’ve been given, so you’re clear on what the role involves. This will help you prepare relevant examples, such as times you worked as part of a team and how this translates to being part of a salon team.

Practice, practice, practice!

Don’t wing it. Practising your interview answers beforehand is essential. It helps you feel more confident on the day and makes your answers sound clearer and more natural.

Try practising with a friend or family member who can give you feedback on what’s working well and what could be improved.

You can also prepare a few examples for common interview questions (for example, “Tell me about a time you worked as part of a team”). The key is not to memorise a script, as that can sound robotic. Instead, have a few flexible examples you can adapt to whatever you’re asked. Flashcards can be a great way to practise.

Finally, be ready to explain why you’d like to be a hairdresser and what it is about hairdressing that you genuinely love. You can also research Collinge & Co Training, and the local and British hairdressing industry, to show interest and passion.

Use the STAR method to structure your answers

You might have heard of the STAR method before, but if you haven’t, it’s a simple way to structure your answers so they are clear and detailed.

In interviews, you may be asked behavioural questions, ability-based questions, and questions about your personality. For any question that asks for an example, STAR is really helpful.

STAR stands for:

S is for Situation: the situation you had to deal with

T is for Task: what you needed to do

A is for Action: what you did

R is for Result: what happened as a result

Your examples can come from school, home life, volunteering, work experience, or any jobs you’ve had. Here’s an example STAR question and answer:

Question:

As a hairdressing apprentice, you’ll need to work well as part of a salon team. Can you give an example of a time you’ve worked as part of a team?

Answer:

Situation: I currently work in a salon as a Saturday assistant. On a busy Saturday, we started running behind with lots of clients in at once.

Task: I needed to support the stylists and help keep the day running smoothly.

Action: I asked the team what they needed most, then prepped foils, restocked towels and products, kept the backwash area clean and ready to use, and looked after waiting clients with updates and drinks.

Result: We caught up by the end of the day, clients stayed happy, and the stylists said my support helped them stay focused and on track.

The more you practise using STAR, the more natural it will feel, and the easier it’ll be to come up with strong examples on the spot.

Prepare well on the day

On the day of your interview, make sure you know where you’re going, what time you need to be there, and what you need to bring.

To avoid rushing, leave extra time and aim to arrive a little early. If you do have a few minutes spare, you can use them to collect your thoughts and settle your nerves.

Bring a bottle of water so you can stay hydrated, and make sure you’re well presented so you make a great first impression.

Think of any questions you might have

Interviews are not a one-way street. You can ask questions too, and it’s a great way to show your interest and enthusiasm, while also making sure you understand the apprenticeship and the training centre.

The best way to have a great interview is to feel prepared, confident, and ready to give your best. With these tips, you’ll have everything you need to start preparing for your apprenticeship interview.