Work experience interview: Year 10 and 11 placement questions
Getting ready for a work experience placement interview. What they ask 14-16 year olds, and how to answer when you've never done anything like this.
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Keywords: work experience interview, year 10 work experience, year 11 placement interview, school work experience questions
What you’ll practice
- Explaining why you picked this placement
- Talking about what you want to learn
- Answering questions about school without just listing subjects
- Asking a sensible question at the end
5-minute placement drill
- Answer "why did you choose us?" in 30 seconds.
- Then answer "what do you hope to get out of the week?"
- Check you said something more specific than "experience".
- Re-record with one actual thing you want to see or try.
- Finish by saying one question you'd ask them.
Example scripts
Good
I chose here because I'm interested in what you do and I think it would be good experience for the future.
Better
I picked a vet practice because I've been thinking about animal science, and I wanted to find out what the job is like day to day rather than just what I imagine.
Best
I've been thinking about animal science for sixth form, but everything I know about it comes from watching programmes. I wanted a week somewhere real so I could see the ordinary parts — the paperwork, the difficult conversations with owners — and work out whether I'd still want it. If there's a chance to sit in on consultations, that's the part I'd want most.
Common mistakes
- Saying "my school arranged it" when asked why you chose them
- Only talking about the exciting parts of the job
- Having no question ready at the end
- Being so quiet they can't tell if you want to be there
How Konfidence helps
- Helps you practise speaking to an adult you don't know, privately first
- Tells you if you're being too brief to give them anything to go on
- Shows whether you sounded interested or just polite
FAQ
How formal is a work experience interview?
Usually a short, friendly chat. They mostly want to know you'll turn up, be safe, and not be bored into silence.
What question should I ask at the end?
Something you'd genuinely like to know: what a normal day looks like, or what the hardest part of the job is.
What if I'm really nervous?
Say so. "Sorry, I'm a bit nervous" from a 15-year-old is completely normal and usually relaxes everyone.
Related practice guides
First part-time job interview: what to say with no experience
Your first job interview when you've never had a job. What managers actually ask 16-18 year olds, and how to answer when your CV is nearly empty.
Sixth form and college interview questions
Practise sixth form and college interview questions: why these A-levels, what you want to do after, and how you'll cope with the step up.
Speak with confidence: voice + pacing drills
A practical way to sound more confident: slower pace, cleaner pauses, and emphasis on key words, with scripts you can rehearse today.
Practice once — improve faster.
Start with a short recording, get calm feedback, and track progress over time.
Privacy-first. No public rankings. Your practice stays private.