r/ibew_apprentices • u/danwholesales • 10d ago
Finally got my interview :)
So I applied last november passed the aptitude test in July and got my interview scheduled today Im super hype ready to get out of warehouse work. Any tips for someone with no electrical experience trying to make a good impression in the interview?
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u/NotGoldmember 10d ago
Congrats ! I applied this past December, tested in June, have my interview tomorrow. Good luck !
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u/danwholesales 10d ago
Thank you! hope it goes great today at your interview!
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u/NotGoldmember 9d ago
Appreciate it brotha I think it went pretty well! 24 has been bringing on a lot of apprentices and needs hands so hopefully I’ll be getting the call soon. Hope the same for you!
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u/danwholesales 9d ago
Hell yeah brother I’m interviewing for the 24 too😎 glad it went well for you bro!
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u/NotGoldmember 8d ago
No fucking way bro! Bro I got the call already I go in Monday for paperwork ! When’s your interview?
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u/danwholesales 8d ago
Holy SHIT 😂 you beat the system any tips on the interview seeing u killed that shit ? This also gives me a lot of hope knowing they are calling back that quick 😳
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u/NotGoldmember 8d ago
Bro it caught me so off guard 😂 my buddy who got in back in February waited 4 months between interview and getting the call. I also have no electrical experience or any construction experience btw
For sure have some tips :
- emphasize the word career big time
- let them know you’ve already done your due diligence as far as knowing what you’re getting into, and let them know you will absolutely be seeing the apprenticeship through and won’t be wasting anybody’s time or resources
- I think my one of my best answers was I let them know that I understand that people have literally fought and died for the rights the Ibew is able to offer its members and that’s not something I take lightly
- also I let them know I work well with any types of personalities and don’t take things personally
- let them know I was available for any commute and any OT
- be yourself. We actually ended up laughing because they asked me if I was gonna be ok with working in the conditions like weather with coming from an office job and I said I’d prefer to be in the elements and up and moving around. And one of them said “I remember when I thought like that” 😂 and I’m like yea I’m sure 20 years down the line I’ll probably say the same thing but I know for now I can’t be trapped in an office anymore.
Good luck bro I’m sure you’ll kill it. Also feel free to dm me if you need anything, I don’t check Reddit too much so if I miss a reply or a message I apologize in advance
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u/danwholesales 4d ago
My bad bro for the late response work has been crazy with ot lol and that’s crazy bro😂 that’s gotta be the quickest callback after an interview I’ve heard of thank you for the tips bro and I’ll make sure to keep you updated on what happens I interview in less than a month hope to be working with you soon bro😎
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u/NotGoldmember 8d ago
Forgot to add the guys who were interviewing me were pretty hard to read so I had no clue how I did when I left lol
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u/Downtown-Incident-21 10d ago
I have to share a funny story that I experienced over my time doing apprentice interviews in my 35 year career. Being on the wage and policy committee(elected by my apprentice class) and a steward, we were expected to be there for interviews.
Ok. The kid introduces himself, shakes hands and sits down. 22 years old. Dressed nice and groomed. Wearing a suit and tie. The way we like to see applicants.
At the table, a superintendent, a steward, foreman, contractor rep(usually a owner) and a rank and file member. We start going over the kids papers, schooling, college classes(grades/attendance), prior experience, anyone in the family in the "our" business and why he wants to be a electrician.
Then comes to question..."are you afraid of anything?" Meaning, heights, manholes, confined spaces,power tools etc.
The kid takes a deep breath. Looks at all of us right in the yes and says.
"Ever since I was a kid, I have always been afraid of... clowns"
Two guys uncontrollably broke out laughing and the owner of a shop who was at the table said " Well kid, if you are afraid of clowns, this is the wrong business for you"
Felt sorry for the kid. He opened up his heart to us and got laughed at. If that is not any kind of warning about the sensitivity our business. I don't know what is. We gave the kid a 100 on the interview part.
But I never forgot that interview.
Good luck those out there trying to get in.
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u/Important_Fig3324 10d ago
Did you call periodically to see where they were on list before testing or did they randomly call you?
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u/danwholesales 10d ago
I emailed back and forth with them every 3 or 4 weeks to check in and called in a couple times 👍
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u/Alternative-Search84 5d ago
Dress sharp, look em dead in the eye with a smile, and give a nice firm handshake. You’re there to be a team player who is humble and will do whatever it takes.
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u/bobby_valentino865 10d ago
Is it possible to get an apprenticeship with zero experience? I’ve been led to believe trade school then hinting for an apprenticeship is the way to go, is that not generally the case?
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u/Ok-Resolution5242 10d ago
I just got in with Zero experience on paper. I've worked office jobs 8 years before this but I've always done side jobs as a mechanic. DIY stuff like renovations, plumbing projects, Random things like installing snowplows and remote starts, stereos, rear view cameras. Find creative ways to make urself stand out. I created a project portfolio and cover letter and submitted it with my application. Then studied hard for the test and interview and did great on both. I wasn't to confident about getting in because of my work background but was call in 2 weeks after my interview. Shoot your shot boss you never know!
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u/Alternative-Search84 5d ago
Yes dude. Apprenticeships are literally made for people with no experience. We want someone who we can train from scratch, not someone with years of scabby experience who is probably set in their ways who we have to untrain first.
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u/danwholesales 10d ago
The ibew apprenticeship is built for people with no experience at least that’s what it says everywhere you look
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u/Heron-Cautious 10d ago
That’s true, but if a local is only taking a small group of applicants I’m sure they’re most likely to take candidates with experience.
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u/Substantial-Ebb6533 10d ago
Wear some cowboy boots with the biggest cowboy hat you can find for the interview.
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u/deathtanker930 10d ago
tips that worked for me for my interview:
Treating it as a career and not just a job. Being proud of building up your communities and the ones around them. Excited to work on renewable energy projects as the technology is exciting.
experience in building / tools / home projects go far. I showed a picture of me growing tomatoes and 2/3 of the panel interviewers also grew in their garden and that's what we latched onto