Work experience interview tips?

R

rallan15

Well-Known Member
Joined
22 June 2016
Messages
115
Visit site
This Saturday I'm going to a yard for an interview. The owner is a dealer, does sj clinics and lessons and also trains young horses. Is there anything in particular I should ask or do? I'm just wanting to gain experience looking after different breeds and ages or horses so I doubt I'll actually be riding anything.
 
Arrive on time, sensibly dressed (dark jeans without holes, plain polo shirt, boots) all clean. If you have long hair, tie it back. First impressions count, so make the first impression a good one. And it won't hurt to have your hat and gloves in a bag; they probably won't be required, but better to be prepared.

Ask about start and finish times, what duties they expect of you if they don't outline all this during the interview.

Be honest if you haven't done something or don't know the answer, but try to think it through and give a sensible answer based on what you do know and have experienced.

Find out if there is the chance to do a couple of trial days before a commitment to a longer period is made by either party.

If you are going to be travelling there under your own steam, check what is the earliest and latest that you can arrive/leave by public transport. It makes me cringe inwardly when work experience students promise that they will arrive at 7am when I know perfectly well that the local bus route doesn't start until 10am on a Sunday.

A bit of research about the propietor and yard beforehand won't go amiss either.

Above all, try to relax and be yourself.



Good luck
 
All of the above, plus be enthusiastic if you get there and decide you want the work (obviously not if you hate it on sight!), and ask a couple of intelligent questions. It doesn't matter if you don't need to know, it just shows you are interested. As they are a dealer you could ask how long the horses stay on the yard, on average; or what clinics they are going to; maybe even ask if you'd have the opportunity to go to a clinic with them.
 
Good advice from above, I would also say turn your phone off before you walk through the gates, listen to what is said and smile!

I would also have a hat and gloves with me :-)

Good luck, let us know how it goes. :-D
 
All excellent advice so far. When answering questions try to be specific and provide evidence rather than using vague statements so as an example, don't say "I am trustworthy" say " I have been trusted to look after X horses while their owners were on holiday. All the horses received the utmost care and attention and the owners were very happy when they got back."

Think of the sort of questions you might get asked and have an example ready for them.

You may get asked about things like working on your own, working as part of a team, showing initiative, dealing with customers (even if it's just saying hello when they arrive and finding the right person for them to speak to, you're likely to deal with customers if he's a dealer) or dealing with difficult horses.
 
Smile, arrive 15 mins early, don't drink any caffeine before as this can make you shaky especially when nervous, shake their hand and just be yourself! Even for my grad job interview they just wanted to make sure they liked me as a person especially for jobs like this where team work is important.

Good luck!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top