Future skills – Hints & Tips

Ensure a strong application

 

Our apprentice and graduate roles are open for at least two weeks, so there’s no need to rush. You can start your application, save it as a draft, and come back to it whenever you’re ready -just make sure you submit before the deadline.

 

We’d love to hear why you want to join us. Take some time to explore who we are; our values, our purpose, and the role you’re applying for, so you can tailor your application and clearly show us why you want to be part of our journey.

 

As part of your application, you may be asked to answer a range of questions. These are your first opportunity to demonstrate the key behaviours we’re looking for.

Top Tips for Strong Responses

Use the STAR Method

Structure your answers using the Situation, Task, Action, Result format to clearly explain your experience.

Draw from Real Experiences

Use examples from school, university, part-time jobs, volunteering, or personal projects. We’re interested in how you think and behave, not just where the experience came from.

Be Honest and Reflective

It’s okay to talk about challenges—as long as you show what you learned and how you improved.

Keep It Relevant

Tailor your answers to the role you’re applying for. Think about what the job requires and how your experience matches.

CV Essentials

Keep it simple, clear, and focused on what matters.

 

  • Start with your details: Name, contact info, LinkedIn (if you have one)
  • Add a short personal statement: 1–2 lines about your strengths, goals and aspirations (make it relevant to the role you’re applying to!)
  • Show your journey: List education and experience (most recent first)
  • Don’t leave unexplained gaps: If you had a career break to travel or raise a family, explain what skills or experience you gained from this
  • Highlight your skills: Especially those relevant to the role
  • Highlight your impact: Use action words and real results
  • Keep it clean: Two pages max, no jargon, no typos, proofread it well

Support throughout your application

At Anglian Water, we’re committed to making our recruitment process accessible to everyone. If you have a disability or long-term condition, including neurodiversity or mental health conditions, we’ll work with you to make sure you have the support you need at every stage of your application.

 

We’re not here to put up barriers – we’re here to remove them. If you need any adjustments during the application, assessment centre, or interview process, just let us know. Our recruitment team is here to help and will be happy to talk through how we can best support you.

Preparing for an Assessment Centre

We’re excited you’re considering a future with us. Our assessment centres are a great way for you to show us what you’re made of and for you to get a feel for what it’s like to be part of our team. The assessment centre will likely include individual and group activities, as well as an interview. 

What We’re Looking For

We want to see how you think, how you work with others, and how you bring your ideas to life. Depending on the role, we’ll be looking for behaviours like:

  • Adaptability
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Communication
  • Leadership
  • Manual Dexterity
  • Organisation & Planning
  • Problem solving
  • Teamwork

Preparing for an Interview

Do your research

Learn about Anglian Water—our values, our purpose, and the role you’re applying for. It’ll help you feel more confident and show us why you’re excited to join our journey.

Prep your answers

If we’ve shared any behavioural questions in advance, take time to prepare. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly.

Check the details

Re-read your confirmation email. Make sure you know the time, location (or online link), and what documents to bring.

If it’s online

Test the link in advance and download any apps or software you’ll need. Check your camera, mic, and internet connection.

Think of questions to ask

Interviews are a two-way conversation. What do you want to know about the role, the team, or working here?

Plan ahead

Choose your outfit the night before, get a good night’s sleep, and leave plenty of time to get to the interview (or log in early if it’s online).

Bring notes

It’s absolutely fine to take notes in with you—whether it’s reminders, questions, or key points you want to mention.

What to Expect

Our assessment centres are designed to give you a real feel for life at Anglian Water, and for us to get to know you better too.

A Genuine Experience

Each event is a little different. The format, length and activities will vary depending on the role you’ve applied for. But one thing’s certain: you’ll have the chance to show us what you’re great at in a supportive and engaging environment.

 

Meet our People

You’ll be welcomed by a mix of friendly faces from across Anglian Water; people from HR, your potential team, and other parts of the business. They’re here to support you and see your potential.

 

Get Involved and Explore

You’ll work alongside other candidates, take part in group tasks, and experience our culture first-hand. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions, share your ideas, and see if we’re the right fit for you.

 

Make the Most of It

We’re not looking for the finished article, we’re recruiting for potential and we want to see the real you. Take your time, stay calm, and don’t be afraid to pause and think. It’s not all about having all the right answers, it’s about showing us how you approach challenges and how you grow through them.

 

Let your enthusiasm shine

Top 5 Tips for the Day

Show us your strengths

Let your skills and behaviours shine through.

Get involved

Join in, collaborate, and support others.

Stay positive

A good attitude makes a big difference.

Talk us through your thinking

We want to understand how you approach challenges.

Be yourself

We value authenticity. Just be you.

Get Ready

  • Know what to expect: Read any materials we send you and prepare in advance.
  • Do your homework: Learn about Anglian Water—our website and social media are great places to start.
  • Think ahead: Plan your journey and outfit so you feel comfortable and confident.
  • Rest up: A good night’s sleep and a decent breakfast go a long way.
  • Plan ahead: Organise your travel and outfit to avoid last-minute stress.
  • Need help? Reach out to us – we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Contact us