Professional gardeners of mumsnet please help me ace this interview

[Somuddled]

I started a thread about this a few days ago but didn't ask in the right way so trying again. Even if you cant help, id appreciate a bump! I am trying to change careers from the corporate world to gardening/horticulture.

I have an interview next week for an apprenticeship with a city council parks team. Great, I am so pleased. I have been told it will be 45 minutes interview then 1.5 hours practical assessment. That's the bit I really need advice on. I am so nervous about having someone watch me do a physical task - especially when I have no insight into what the task might be. I am going to visit the park and look at all them beds to try to get an idea but are there any professional gardeners out there who do these sort of interviews? Would you let me know what you would give someone to do in July?

Also any other advice would be welcome. I just got rejected from another job (not a gardening one) and I am feeling so sad about the future.

Potting on? Planting something? Following instructions? They won’t be looking for extensive gardening knowledge, but a willingness and capacity to learn.
Best of luck

Thank you. I did wonder if it was about following instructions rather than extensive knowledge. It is just unlike any interview i've done before so want to hear form others.

Same as SmallGreenStripes has said but perhaps deadheading and pinching out may be something else to learn about. My local park is really keen to engage the public, esp children. If you don't know how to do something be upfront and tell them that, but say you are very keen to learn and if they show you then you will know for future. I think they would be more impressed with someone willing to learn.
Good luck with your interview,

You’ll probably get a plant identification test. Walk round the park and make sure you know what everything is. I was also asked if I could recognise a disease once.

Don’t dress too smartly! I made that mistake and nearly blew it. Luckily my interviewer was honest and said “Look, you sound great but I just can’t imagine you getting stuck in here”, with a gesture towards my smart shoes. I’d dressed for an interview, not in my gardening clothes. I had to quickly explain that it was my first gardening interview and I hadn’t been able to quite get my head around wearing steel toe capped boots for a job interview! Luckily he took my word for it that I was happy to get dirty and I got the job.

Good luck! Enthusiasm and friendliness will get you a long way.

safety....dont leave shears, pruners or any other equipment lying around/sitting dangerously. Thats something i would look for as a previous garden centre manager. Take your own gloves?

might be edging the beds so be mindful of tidying as you go perhaps? July jobs could be cutting back/pruning/deadheading

@VenusClapTrap I have steel toe caps and was planning on wearing them but yes, the clothing aspect is playing on my mind. I am just so used to looking really smart for an interview.

It hadn't occurred to me that I might have to do a plant ID, I am pretty good at plants. Trees get me in a right muddle though.

@gardeninggirl68 thats a really good point. I've only every done voluntary gardening roles in places closed off to the public so although we were still careful, tools not being left around was less of a focus.

Thank you all. this is making me feel more clear.

Placemarking, as im also trying and applying for Horticulture jobs too (not any direct competition op! Lol)

And good luck op!!!!

Might not be the same but the written part of my interview with the Council was writing a letter responding to a complaint from a member of public (something you get a lot of when you work at a Council!)

Hiya op!
How did you get on, have you had your interview yet?
I have one on Friday too!

Has anyone got any advice on what to wear? I'll be shown around the gardens and told about the job.
I have no idea if to go interview formal, or more casual and relaxed?! (Ie. Working boots, leggings, black top, cardigan. Still quite "smart" but definitely casual)

Any advice?

Wear what you would wear to the job, but make sure it’s clean and tidy. So practical trousers, clean work boots, and smart casual top. DO NOT wear a pin stripe suit and heels like I did 🤦🏻‍♀️

@Yellowcrockpot ^ that was in answer to your question!

Oh congratulations on getting and interview. Mine isn't until Monday. I was emailed and told to wear suitable protective clothing.

They also called yesterday saying candidates have all been asking about the practical do they are giving everyone additional information which is that it will be in the greenhouse and I will have to follow verbal instructions.

I feel fairly calm about it all now. I'm waiting to hear back on a second application though, thats the one I really want.

Don’t wear leggings! They’re not practical for physical work, I work with animals and am always unimpressed at students/work experience kids turning up in leggings. You’re not going for a run. Practical trousers, perhaps combat style, that would protect you against thorny or stingy things.

@Somuddled I feel much calmer for you also! Lol. Your practical being in the greenhouse with verbal instruction, is much clearer than just being told its a practical with no other information.

I have only applied for this one job, because everything they put in the job specification spoke to me, as if my "dream job" ... I do think some of it is above and beyond my knowledge/comfort zone, but prehaps my enthusiasm will make up for it.

Thank you to PP with advice what to wear! I shall go through my wardrobe today, and shall scrap the leggings/boots idea.

I did ask on the phone what I should wear, and they said they didn't mind as it was about what I could do, not what I looked like.... however, I know first impressions are important and a good chunk of the job will be promoting and meeting people.

I shall go formal, with some kind of sensible black flat shoe.

Sorry for hijacking your thread somewhat op.

This is a career change for me, and I'm really hoping I pull it off!

Also to add, it's an hour long interview for me, which is making me abit more nervous. That's a long time for an interview!

I'd gem up in invasive species - would you recog ise Japanese Knotweed if you saw it? Also what is a weed and what are they trying to control?

What is their policy on undergrowth - lots of councils have to cut back undergrowth that would be otherwise environmentally beneficial because of crime and safety: keeping areas so you can see through, less undergrowth to hide in or take drugs in. Needles and drug paraphernalia - how to dispose of safely.

My kids used to play in an otherwise lovely park but at other times of the day allies and druggies frequented the undergrowth and needles were common ☹️

'alcoholics' not allies

@Yellowcrockpot

Also to add, it's an hour long interview for me, which is making me abit more nervous. That's a long time for an interview!

Good luck. If you aren't wearing work boots perhaps take them in the car with you?

It’s likely to be hot, especially in a greenhouse, so wear cool but practical clothing, a white tshirt or linen shirt maybe? Not yellow! Yellow attracts all the bugs on a hot day.
Maybe watch some videos if people doing greenhouse jobs; cuttings, potting etc.

Just to update, I was offered the job today. Happy and nervous. Thanks for the advice all.

Congratulations!
What was involved in the practical? Are you allowed to say or are you sworn to secrecy.

Fab, well done!!

😄