Job interviews

Preparing for an interview

If a company is impressed by your young person's job application, they will ask them to interview. You may find Mencap's easy read guide on job interviews helpful.

The interview is the final stage of the process to find a job. It is important that your young person shines. Advice on preparing for interview.

Top tips 

• Help your young person think about the questions they may be asked, and how they will answer them, before their interview 
• Help them to make some notes to take with them, in case they get nervous and go blank!

Find out more about what to expect at an interview.

At the interview

The employer will ask your young person questions, to find out more about them and their past work experience. They may ask your young person questions about their knowledge and skills, and how they would use them in work. 

Your young person may also be asked to do a task to show their skills. For example, give a presentation or rewrite a piece of text. This task must be relevant to the job applied for. Your young person should be told about a task and what it is before their interview.

The employer may ask your young person questions about their health or disability. They should only ask these questions to find out about reasonable adjustments that could be put in place, to allow your young person to do the job. They should not ask questions about health or disability, unless it is to find out if you young person can do something which is needed for the job.

After the interview

Your young person will usually get a phone call from the employer, to tell them if they will be offered the job. If they are offered the job - brilliant! The employer will keep in touch with your young person to talk about the start date. They will also ask for information that is needed to set them up as an employee.

If your young person is not successful, encourage them to always ask for feedback. This will help them to improve next time.

You may find Mencap's easy read guide on starting work helpful.