Interviews for working student positions? -advice please!

[hils136]

I am ringing two people I have been in email contact with about when I can go to their yards to have an interview about getting a working student position with them and am really nervous! I'm 21 and have had several jobs throughout the years and have attended even more interviews, but I don't think I interview well (I get nervous being put on the spot with questions and my mind goes blank) so I'm wondering if these interviews will be more, go out and see the yards, talk about experience and expectations sort of informal meetings or if they will actually be serious, formal interviews?

This is the first time I am interviewing for a horse related job (all previous work at barns was done where I was taking lessons or keeping my horse so this is a completely new experience). Is there anything I can do or say to make myself stand out from anyone else applying for the positions/any way that I can be sure I make a good first impression? Also, would like to make a nice list of things to look for and questions to ask, I have some in mind already but would like to hear what other people would think to ask!

I'm really nervous because I haven't ridden in 3 years and while I'm 100% confident on the ground in terms of knowing how to care for horses, basic first aid, handling, etc, I have always been a somewhat anxious rider and I know riding loads of different horses will put me out of my comfort zone (a good thing hopefully, but just another thing to worry about!). I'm a competent rider, I have done USPC, shown at starter trials up to 2'11", shown dressage, hunter/jumpers and hacked regularly, but I'm just worried especially as one of the places I'm interviewing at is a position with an advanced level eventer

I'm worried I'll go out there and she'll think I'm a joke or something!

Anyway, sorry for the long post, like I said, I'm just really nervous and I haven't even set up the interview dates yet! Any advice/perspective would be greatly appreciated. Also, I'm from the US and these trips will be my first time at a yard in the UK so I'm excited to see how things are done over here!

 

[jmason]

Don't worry too much.
Most employers are looking for someone who will show commitment as a working pupil. Someone who will not be scared of hard work and someone who is prepared to put the work in to get their exams.
I have interviewed prospective WP's and although there has been a sit down slightly more serious interview bit the majority of the interview has been more relaxed and showing the yard and facilities etc.
To help nerves - research the yard as much as possible and have a host of questions written down to ask - Such as How much training? What results have they had in the past with previous WP's. Why reasons have people given when leaving the job. What happens once you have exams? How long is placement for? Etc etc

 

[alfirules]

I've just started a new job as a sort of WP, well i get paid a grooms wage but i am still training.

When i went for the interview they just explained what they do at the yard, showed me around and then they asked me why i wanted to leave the yard i was working on and what my aims were for the future.

I just explained that i'd worked full time in my previous yard for 2 years then 3 years part time prior to that, i had got stuck in a rut (doing the same thing day in, day out) and so i wanted to gain more experience and have a change in scenery! My main aim at the moment is to pass my stage 3 in October.

Anyway, it worked for me, i got the job!

Good luck with the interviews, you'll be fine!

 

[connie1288]

I have had about 5 WP interviews for event riders, I rode at all of them, all of varying abilities.
A tour of the yard and explanation of my role in the set up, and usually a sit down informal chat over a cup of tea about me, what I wanted out of the job, what I had done with horses before and talking about wages and accommodation etc. Only in one did I get asked any technical questions ie the normal temp for a horse and what I would do if one got cast!