How to Ace Your NVQ Assessor Job Interview

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Firstly, congratulations on getting through the challenging part and passing your Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement. You should be very proud of yourself. Now that you have got this new qualification under your belt, it is time to start preparing for your NVQ assessor interview.

Hopefully, you will have already read our guide on creating a CV, which will have helped you land the all-important NVQ Assessor interview. Now before you start getting stressed about how to handle the interview, remember no-one likes them. It is a daunting time, and you have a very limited window to make the best first impression on your prospective employer. Here are some of our top tips to make sure you are prepared.

Before Your NVQ Assessor Interview

Preparation is the key to doing well in most things in life. There is nothing worse than turning up to an interview without doing some background research. One of the first questions you will be asked is ‘Why do you want to work for this company?’. If you have not taken the time to look into the culture and history of the company, you will find it very hard to answer the question.

Take the time to thoroughly dissect the job description too. Think about how your skills and experiences match what the employer is looking for. It is always a good idea to take your up to date CPD record with you to the interview to help back up your knowledge. Remember to prepare a list of potential questions to ask during the interview. This will help you understand more about the position being advertised. The interview is an opportunity for you to make sure that you would feel comfortable in the new role too.

Another key tip for preparing for an interview is to plan your outfit well in advance. It is a good idea to try it on a week before the date, and make sure you are comfortable sitting down and walking up a flight of stairs in it. There is nothing worse (for the ladies) than finding the perfect skirt but not being able to walk or sit down in it! Even if your interviewer states that a smart-casual dress code is perfectly acceptable, it is always best to err on the side of caution and dress to impress.

On The Day

So you have spent a lot of time preparing for the interview, and the day has finally rolled around. You should feel that there is nothing more you can do – just be yourself. Make sure you arrive at the interview around 10 minutes before it is due to start (and give yourself enough extra time to allow for traffic). If you arrive earlier than this, you can always sit in your car and run through your notes one last time.

During the interview itself, try to answer the questions to the best of your ability, and give examples of how you have gained experience. For example, if you have shadowed experienced assessors, be sure to mention it.

Common Questions Asked

A quick Google search will provide you with a list of the most common interview questions, such as ‘Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?’. We have also put together some potential questions that are more specific to assessing:

  1. Tell me a bit about yourself, your skills and your NVQ Assessing experience?
  2. Which occupational area can you assess in?
  3. What is your approach to observing and assessing Candidates?
  4. How do you offer advice to candidates who are not meeting the standards?
  5. What is your process for keeping records of your candidates’ progress?
  6. How do you keep yourself up to date with sector changes?
  7. How do you split your hours between your caseload of learners?

There will be an opportunity for you to ask any questions, so it is always a good idea to have these written out to take into the interview with you. Do not include questions related to salary, as this will make you look money-orientated. If the interviewer thinks you are the right fit for the job, your salary will be discussed at a later date.

Things You Should Never Do

As well as a few of the things we have mentioned already, one thing that is unacceptable in an interview is being disrespectful about a previous employer. This will portray you as a negative person and could very easily put someone off from hiring you.

Remember to turn your phone and smartwatch notifications off before you enter the interview too. There is nothing more embarrassing than hearing your ringtone coming from your pocket right in the middle of an interview.

We hope this has given you some actionable tips to nail your interview and help you on your path to becoming an NVQ assessor. Good luck, shoulders back, and don’t forget to smile!