Building a better you
Property Elite’s sole aim is to build better property professionals - supporting your career every step of the way, whether you are an AssocRICS or RICS APC candidate or a MRICS or FRICS Chartered Surveyor simply seeking engaging CPD.
We provide a wide range of training and support, so why not find out more on our website about how we might be able to support you? We work with candidates across all RICS APC and AssocRICS pathways, routes to assessment and geographic regions.
Don’t forget to sign up online for your free 15 minute AssocRICS or RICS APC consultation, including a review of your referral report if you have been referred. You can also book your bespoke training or support services directly through our web shop.
Not sure about signing up? Make sure you read what our recent successful candidates have to say in our Testimonials.
What is today's blog about?
This week, we will be discussing why mock interviews are a fantastic way to prepare for your RICS APC.
You can also listen to our CPD podcast on Anchor for more free AssocRICS and RICS APC training and support.
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail!
Becoming qualified is a key point in most surveyors' careers, bringing along many benefits, both personal and professional. However, even just thinking about your final assessment interview can be a daunting prospect.
Being able to visualise what you will face at your final assessment interview is extremely important, a process which can be facilitated by participating in as many mock interviews as possible.
The interview lasts 1 hour and is structured as follows: 3-4 minutes - introduction by the chairperson
10 minutes - your case study presentation
0 minutes - case study and presentation questioning
25 minutes - assessors' questioning
10 minutes - chairperson's questioning, with a focus on mandatory competencies, ethics and Rules of Conduct
1-2 minutes - chairperson closes the interview, including your opportunity to go back to any questions - you have the last word!
We recommend sitting as many mock interviews as possible; you can never take part in too many. However, you need to make sure that the mock interview experience is as close to your final assessment interview as possible.
Ideally, this means that it will be conducted by current RICS APC assessors who are familiar with the process and how you will be assessed at interview. It can be very beneficial to sit mock interviews with unfamiliar assessors - not knowing what to expect is excellent preparation.
What should a good mock interview include?
Opportunity for you to present your case study
Case study timed for 10 minutes exactly
Questioning starting at your highest declared competency level and focussing on your practical experience
Broad range of questions exploring the full scope of your competencies
Questions on conduct rules, ethics and professional practice, as a wrong answer in this competency can mean an automatic fail
Similar environment to the final assessment - sufficiently formal to allow you to experience similar pressures to your final assessment
Sufficient time for feedback and recommendations so you can improve for next time
Tips on presenting and responding professionally and concisely
We recommend taking advantage of any mock interviews provided by your company or organisation.
However, to help you to experience the closest possible experience to what you will face in reality, Property Elite provide mock interviews with current RICS APC assessors.
These are conducted online or in person with one or two assessors and closely follow the RICS APC interview structure. You will receive verbal feedback, followed up with a written action plan to help you effectively prepare for your final assessment interview.
How can we help?
Head to our blog archive to access even more free CPD and AssocRICS and RICS APC training and support.
Download your free AssocRICS and RICS APC resources, including e-books and revision quizzes.
Find out more about our bespoke AssocRICS and RICS APC training and support, before booking your free 15 minute consultation and signing up for your services online.
Not sure about signing up? Make sure you read what our recent successful candidates have to say in our Testimonials.
Stay tuned for our next blog post to help build a better you
N.b. Nothing in this article constitutes legal or financial advice.