Shell UK apprenticeship interview Preparation tips for every stage

What Shell UK looks for in apprenticeship interview answers

Strong answers share common ground: clear evidence of what you did, your personal contribution, a learning mindset, how you work with others, and fact-based thinking. Shell values candidates who demonstrate:

• Strong interpersonal skills, self-starting attitude, and curiosity to learn
• Adaptability when priorities or requirements change
• The ability to absorb information, analyse problems, and make fact-based decisions
• The ability to work independently or as part of a team
• Attention to detail with clear communication

Shell’s core values - honesty, integrity, and respect - should come through naturally in the choices you describe and how you talk about working with others. These themes appear across the Shell recruitment process, so building your examples first makes preparation more effective.

Step 1: Build six examples you can use throughout the process

Prepare six examples for the Shell application process: two for capacity, two for achievement, and two for relationships. Together, your examples should cover teamwork, learning something new, solving a problem, working under time pressure, attention to detail, and a values-led choice.

Choose examples from different settings. This could include school projects, part-time work, volunteering, sports teams, or personal responsibilities like caring for family members. Variety helps you respond to different apprenticeship interview questions with the most relevant story.

Where possible, include one proof point per example. This could be feedback you received, a grade or result, or evidence that something changed because of your actions.

Step 2: Prepare for a phone conversation with our recruiters

Successful candidates will be invited for a short phone conversation with our recruiters. This is your chance to talk more about your motivation, why you decided to apply for the programme, and what your goals and ambitions are.

These stages help Shell understand how you approach realistic work scenarios.

Use this time to:

• Share your motivation for applying to the Shell UK Apprenticeship Programme
• Explain why Shell appeals to you and how the programme fits your career goals
• Present any outside school activities and achievements that demonstrate your strengths
• Ask recruiters any process or programme-related questions

Step 3: Prepare for a live interview with potential line manager

In a live interview, expect more follow-up questions and a deeper focus on how you think and stay consistent across your answers. This stage is often with potential line manager future team members, so your preparation should show how you work with others, learn from experience, and approach problems.

Prepare by:

• Re-reading the job description and picking two to three strengths you can prove with examples
• Choosing two CAR stories you can adapt for different questions
• Practising follow-ups: what you did, why you chose that approach, and what you learned
• Preparing two questions that show readiness to learn, such as what success looks like in the first months or how support and feedback work
• Planning your setup and timing so you can focus on the conversation

Keep expectations realistic. Describe what you actually did and the role you played, without overclaiming impact. For more guidance on making a strong impression, explore ways to stand out as a candidate.

Step 4: Practise common questions and plan your answers

Apprenticeship interview questions get easier when you practise themes rather than scripts. Keep answers short, specific, and based on your six examples.

Use these prompts to practise:

• Why this apprenticeship and why Shell UK
• A time you learned something new and applied it quickly
• A time you worked with others to deliver a shared result
• A time you spotted an error or problem and what you did next
• A situation where attention to detail mattered

Prepare questions for the hiring team:

• What does good performance look like in the first months?
• What support is available during the programme?
• How is feedback shared day to day?
• How do apprentices balance work with off-the-job learning?

Mistakes to avoid:

• Using vague examples with no clear action or result
• Overstating your role or claiming results you cannot explain
• Talking for too long before answering the question
• Missing your personal contribution in a team story
• Saying what you think they want to hear instead of what you did

If you lose your thread, pause, take a breath, and answer the question directly with one clear example.

Why choose the Shell UK Apprenticeship Programme

A clear reason for applying makes motivation answers more consistent. The Shell UK Apprenticeship Programme is designed for school leavers and people who do not have a degree qualification, combining a real role in the business with formal learning and nationally recognised qualifications.

Work on real projects

Once you join, you'll have the opportunity to work on meaningful projects with real business impact. We provide the opportunities and environment for you to contribute to operations today, whilst supporting the energy transition.

Supporting your development

We will welcome you to life at Shell UK with an onboarding programme where you'll familiarise yourself with Shell's various UK businesses. You'll experience a culture of care from leaders who coach and support your wellbeing, alongside a strong support network including your line manager, training provider, mentor, and buddy.

Get ready and take the next step

Build your six examples first, then practise them using STAR so your answers stay clear and consistent. Prepare for each stage by reading instructions carefully, staying calm under pressure, and showing how you work with others in a values-led way.

Visit the Shell UK Apprenticeship Programme page to check current opportunities and the application process, and sign up to the Talent Community

for alerts.

For more guidance on preparing for interviews, explore our job interview preparation tips.

Power Your Progress. Visit careers at Shell to see other career opportunities available.