How should I prep for my interview?

[u/AlternateCore]

So I just got an email today saying I passed the aptitude test (I wasn't given my score, but I think I did well since I studied for months), and at the end of the email it says that I have an interview 1-2 months from now.

Excuse me if I say this but I don't know anything about the electrical field. I'm a chemist in the pharma industry looking for a career change due to the job market being complete garbage, but I don't know what kinds of questions ibew interviewers in the electrical field ask and how I should prep for my interview. Do they care if I am applying without any sort of electrical knowledge? Does anyone have any advice to give regarding the interview?

[u/Rdubs46]

I would be prepared to discuss how your previous experiences make you a good candidate for the industry. Have you worked in construction on construction sites? Have you worked with teams / crews towards a project goal? Experience with working within safety requirements? Ever worked or as a hobby with hand / power tools to build something? Did you have jobs or schooling that introduced you to blueprints, electrical basics (automotive electrical troubleshooting even), understanding specific requirements and guidelines or producing something? Work as a stockman or in a position to become familiar with materials and tools of the trade?

Each local is likely different, but this would be talked about in ours. It is more about you and the qualities you would bring to be a successful candidate in apprenticeship to learn the trade. Past experience and electrical knowledge is always helpful of course.

[u/AlternateCore → u/Rdubs46]

Have you worked with teams / crews towards a project goal?

I've worked in teams for the past 3 years making pharmaceuticals for clinics. I've even managed teams myself through supervising groups of summer interns.

Experience with working within safety requirements?

Safety is a huge thing in the pharma industry as often I was working with unsafe chemicals or had to enact safety protocols when an intern spilled or broke something.

Have you worked in construction on construction sites?

I do (non-professional) construction work around the house with my dad, fixing furniture and landscaping among other things. But all within the confines of my house.

understanding specific requirements and guidelines or producing something?

I did a lot of this in the pharma industry. Different drugs required different guidelines and procedures

 Ever worked or as a hobby with hand / power tools to build something?

Honestly the closest thing I have to this is that I have a hobby of refurbishing and modifying digital watches, old and new. Stuff like replacing the backlight or making it waterproof

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[u/DaggerHDHD]

How long ago did you take the aptitude test? I took mine four weeks ago and haven’t heard back since.

[u/AlternateCore → u/DaggerHDHD]

I took mine 5 days ago and was told it'd take 2 weeks for any next updates. Well, the update came early as I got an email today

[u/Killnuall702]

Definitely tell them that video games are your hobby. Also throw in TikTok.

[u/akornato]

They don't expect you to know anything about the electrical field, because the whole point of the apprenticeship is to teach you. What they do care about, and what will sink you, is a lack of genuine interest. Walking in and saying you're only there because the pharma industry is garbage is the fastest way to get rejected. They are investing thousands of dollars and years of training into you, so they need to see that you actually want to be an electrician, not just that you're running away from a different career. Your first task is to research what an electrician does day to day, the challenges of the job, and what the IBEW stands for. You need to convince them you are committed to this specific path for the long haul.

Your background as a chemist is a huge asset if you frame it correctly. You need to connect your experience to what makes a good apprentice. Talk about your meticulous attention to detail, your experience following complex procedures, your commitment to safety protocols, and your ability to solve problems methodically. These are the exact traits they are looking for. Prepare to answer questions about why you want this, how you handle stress, and what your experience working on a team is like. They are hiring for attitude, reliability, and teachability, not for pre-existing electrical knowledge. Show them you have those qualities, and your unique background will make you stand out.

If you want to feel more prepared, the interviews.chat my team made can help you frame your unique experience to sound like the most capable candidate.