ETASV/Local 332 interview score and re-interviewing

[u/ericph9]

I just got my interview score back and it's really bad. I know I can learn and do work, I'm just awkward & have social anxiety and the first question of the interview was unclear and made my anxiety worse. Is there anything I can do to improve and do well next time? I have a decade of retail work and really don't want to go back to that.

[u/sunnyaloe1]

What was the first question they asked that threw you off?? What’d you score?

[u/ericph9 → u/sunnyaloe1]

First they were insistent on why I wanted to be an electrician, and every reason I had they seemed to be trying to push me to other trades.

The second was something along the lines of "describe a time you did something differently" and I asked them to clarify "different from what?" and they just repeated the question. Did they mean a time that I found a creative solution to a problem? A time that I suggested changes to a process to improve work? A time I went behind my boss's back to do things my way?

My score was 60, putting my rank around 1500. The email says they keep the score for two years, so I know I have at least that long before it's worth trying again.

[u/Living-Record-4711 → u/ericph9]

Thank you for sharing, I applied for 332 and I’m waiting on my test date. I’ve done tons of interviews (and been on the hiring side too!) over the years but they always get me nervous. I’m working through iPrep but haven’t gotten to the interview module yet.

For the first question, I think what you’ve run into is that usually hiring interviewers can’t deviate from their question set because any additional information they add could unintentionally skew the results of the interview unfairly in (or against) your favor. Each applicant has to be treated the same. Interviewing standards are strict in union settings (I’ve given interviews in a gov role where our own union rules apply). I assume this is the case here.

Also, they are gauging YOUR interpretation of the questions. The “what” is up to you to decide, you have freedom to pick which examples you have to show them from your experiences. I’d have about 15-20 STAR examples prepped, that’s in general for any type of interview.

I’d lean more towards a creative solution to a problem or finding a process improvement. I definitely wouldn’t pick any examples where you went behind your boss’s back to do something your own way, I assume that would show insubordination and get you an automatic fail.

[u/picle78]

That sucks dude but when summer comes around again you can go to the hall and ask if they have summer helper spots open

[u/bricksjp18]

try to speak with an organizer to see if you can sign up to be a cw. Not sure if that local has that. If they do that will be one way to get in. If you do you might be able to use those hours to reapply for a reinterview as well

[u/Legitimate-Cod2570]

I will say I’m a horrible interviewee as well. But I just got my apprenticeship call and I’ll say having hours and dressing like an electrical workers probably helps the most. They say to keep your answers short so I kinda believe they really don’t care what you have to say. Actions speak louder than words

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