The interview is the most important factor of the application process.  The interview is approximately 10 minutes long and takes place in front of a panel of 4 -10 interviewers.  Your interview score determines how well you rank on the ranked list of eligible candidates.  Your score is valid for 2 years, and you cannot reapply within that two year time period.  You may, however, be eligible for a re-interview if you wait six months, and either work 1000 hours in a trade-related field or complete two college-level trade-related classes.  Click on the tab to the right for a list of community college trade-related classes.

Survival Tips for Your Interview

Remain calm.  Leave yourself plenty of time to get to the interview, and arrive 10 ‐15 minutes early to calm pre-­interview jitters. A good first impression includes conveying calmness and confidence.

Be respectful of everyone.  Often times the way you treated the office staff (or others in the building who are not directly involved with your interview) will be conveyed to the interview panel. Avoid loud cell phone conversations and other impolite actions.

The first impression.  Connect with the interviewers. It is difficult to build rapport with each interviewer on a panel, so it is important to make a good first impression. Eye contact, a firm and unhurried handshake, and greeting them using their names will go a long way. A rushed handshake conveys nervousness.

The panelists have ten minutes to form an opinion of you. Make those ten minutes count. Practice good posture and eye contact. Avoid nervous nonverbal cues such as crossing your arms, tapping your fingers, nodding hurriedly, and making tense facial expressions. One good way to avoid unwittingly fidgeting is to keep your hands folded on the table. Convey calm confidence. Don’t use your ten minutes to send the wrong message.

Attire.  Nice pants and a button down shirt are appropriate. Avoid cologne and perfume, as well as excessive jewelry. Practice good hygiene and be well groomed.

The questions.   As you answer a question, scan from one face to the next.

Behavioral interview questions.  These are questions like “Describe a difficult work situation and how you overcame it” or “Tell us the most challenging project you’ve ever completed entirely on your own”. There are no right or wrong answers to behavioral interview questions. The way you behaved in the past will give interviewers an idea of how you will behave in the future. It is a good idea to do an internet search of Behavioral Interview Questions. This will give you an idea of the types of questions to expect.

Prior to your interview, brainstorm specific times when you successfully solved a difficult situation or conflict, or completed tasks for which you were responsible. You can draw from past experiences on a job, at a volunteer event, or anything else that seems relevant. Choose situations that focus on skills and behaviors integral to working in a fast-­paced, safety oriented technical field.

Now that you have a list of situations, prepare a response for a question that you may be asked about each one, utilizing the following structure: Situation… Action… Result…

When you are asked a question, listen carefully to try to determine what area the interviewer is assessing. (Such as safety, interest in the field, ability to plan and organize, ability to work with others, ability to work as a team). Take some time to formulate your answer, using the following steps:

• Situation or Task  Describe the event or task, taking care to use enough detail for the interviewer to understand but not so much that you burn up a lot of time.

• Action  Describe what you did to complete the task or to resolve the situation. Even if it was a group effort, keep the focus on what you did to effectively solve the problem.

• Result  Conclude your answer with a description of the result of your efforts. Include lessons learned if you learned something from the situation.

If you cannot think of an example, perhaps the situation occurred to a co­‐worker. Answer the question by illustrating the situation - describe how you would have handled things differently, or if you think that the situation was handled correctly.

Every chance you get, emphasize your skills ­‐ management and organizational skills, working under pressure, any type of hand or power tool skills.

Be concise.  Give concrete examples of situations that actually happened, and how you successfully coped. Keep your answers positive and specific, and avoid rambling. You have ten minutes! Make them count by being succinct, to the point, and focused.

But not too concise.  Avoid one or two word answers. It makes the interviewers uncomfortable when they feel like they are pulling teeth to get answers. If you really don’t know how to answer a question, ask for clarification.

Do not badmouth past employers.  Even if you hated your last job and couldn’t wait to leave, do not say so. Not only is it a small world, you don’t want the interviewers to think that you may speak ill about them in the future. Being a positive person rather than a negative one will make a huge difference in the way that you are perceived.

IBEW Electrical Worker.  When interviewing, explain why becoming an IBEW electrician or technician is important to you. The selection committee is looking for team players and leaders who have a strong desire and drive to be a part of the IBEW workforce. 

Practice.  Practice interviewing with your family and friends as much as possible. The more you rehearse answers, the more relaxed and confident you will be in the interview.

Interview Scoring Factors

1. Character and Attitude

• Punctuality
• Dress
• Presentation

2. Work Experience

• Trade related? (use of hand and power tools, physical work, etc)
• Length of service
• Documentation (letters of recommendation, awards, etc)

3. Education and Training

• Trade-related? (welding, blueprint reading, shop classes. etc)
• Math and science classes
• Grades