FAQs for Applicant Interviews
1. Why do we conduct an interview as part of the application process?
The interview process is not designed to exclude you, but to find out if City Year London is right for you and if you’re right for City Year London. We want to get to know you and the interview, much like City Year London itself, is all about pushing you to grow, but in a supportive environment.
2. What is the single most important thing to know about your interview?
At City Year London we have a saying, that ‘Few things are as important as being on time and in a good mood.’ The same applies for applicant interviews. Our ‘applicant to accepted corps member’ ratio is 3:1 so we’d encourage you to try your best to make sure your application and interview stand out.
3. What do we expect you to do ahead of the interview?
Research! This could mean attending an information session, looking through our website, learning online about the other City Year sites, or contacting members of the current City Year London staff and corps. The interview process is an opportunity for you to ask further questions about our programme too. Most importantly, you need to be aware that City Year volunteers are in school from breakfast club through after-school clubs; they are volunteering or in training on average 35-40 hours per week.
4. What do we most want to know about you?
City Year London is a huge commitment, and we really want young people who we can count on to uphold the commitment they make to their teammates and the children you will volunteer with. Because of that, we are particularly keen to know how City Year London relates to your personal and professional development, in addition to why you’re passionate about serving the community.
5. What else can you do to enhance your chances?
In addition to attending an information session, we encourage applicants to attend a Community Action Day. This is a great chance to get to know some of our members and to make a positive difference through activities like painting and gardening. To learn more, please contact Ayesha Ahmed at vrl-scm@cityyear.org.uk.
6. Should I be worried if I don’t have any volunteering or work experience?
This will certainly not exclude you, but if you do lack volunteering experience attending one of our service days would greatly enhance your application.
7. What should I wear to the interview?
There is no dress code, but as with any professional occasion you can almost never be over-dressed!
8. What kinds of people are we looking for?
City Year London recruits young people from diverse backgrounds and diverse life experiences. Learn more about some of our current corps members here.
9. Is there anyone you can speak to before the interview for helpful tips?
Yes! We will be happy to put you in touch with a current corps member, who can answer your questions and offer advice on what you should highlight about yourself. We can also share tips from current City Year senior corps member Sheena Bhadresa:
General advice
“In my interview I had two interviewers, both of whom took it in turn to ask questions. The best piece of advice I could give you for it is to stay calm. This means you will be able to process questions and formulate great answers. You need to be confident and really believe in what you’re saying – as interviewers will be able to see right through you if you don’t.
“It is really important to be honest. Honesty is something we really value at City Year. Nobody is perfect – everyone has strengths and weaknesses. You need to show that you are aware of your strengths and weaknesses, and are actively doing things to combat weaknesses.”
Scenario based questions
“Try and give a wide range of examples from all the different work you have done. With this, try to give the best example/fit for the question asked. It is OK to pause in an interview (but not for too long, obviously). This can give you time to think so that you answer the question fully. One problem I tend to have is that once I start talking I can sometimes go off on a tangent – to prevent this, keep the question you are being asked in your head when answering.
“There will be times where you may not know as much as others on a subject. This is fine, City Year is all about working as part of a team. The understanding that team members have different strengths and weaknesses which could complement each other is vital.
“City Year is constantly putting you out of your comfort zone, and you’ll have to face many challenges. The scenario based questions in my opinion are to ensure that you will be able to deal with these situations. Regarding questions on challenges faced, these should be tailored to your personal strengths and weaknesses (for example, if a weakness is that you don’t like public speaking then the real challenge would be being asked to be MC at a City Year event – yes I am talking from personal experience…).”
