Practice makes perfect for Christ College interview pupils

Year 11 pupils at Christ College benefited from the chance to experience a mock job interview, as a team from the Gloucestershire Education Business partnership visited the school.

Gloucestershire EBP recruits and trains local businessmen to conduct one-on-one interviews so that pupils can practice answering the sort of questions they will be asked when they apply for a job or college place. Gloucestershire EBP’s Athena Joy said: “Local businesses also benefit from the networking opportunities afforded by meeting like-minded employees from businesses similar to their own’.

Christ College Teacher Lee Bradley said: ‘An interview can be quite a daunting experience but the Year 11 students at Christ College demonstrated confidence, enthusiasm and maturity to the local business people that interviewed them. The experience of a mock interview will certainly prepare them well for the interviews they will have this year for college and work.’

Students agree about the benefits that these interviews give them.

Martin Pates said: ‘It was a valuable experience and it will make me more confident with future interviews,’

Chantal Potter adds: “It was an interesting experience that allowed me to see what an interview would be like’

Local businessman Paul Treble, who has been involved in the project as an interviewer for two years, said: ‘These mock interviews are of enormous value to the pupils. It gives them the confidence to take part in interviews effectively, and they walk away feeling a foot taller.’

Paul has produced a list of tips for interview success:

1. Prepare a CV and use it as a template for completing application forms.

2. If the form asks for a personal statement, make it personal. Describe your personal qualities, and offer evidence that you possess them. For example, I am patient, as shown by the work I do mentoring young students.

3. Remember that interviews are two way. You have the right to ask questions of the interviewer to find out more about what you will be doing and the people you will be working with. Don’t be afraid to turn a job down if you feel it’s not right for you.

4. Do your homework. Find out as much as you can about the organisation you are applying to so that you can ask intelligent, informed questions..

Need more practice at being interviewed? Consider applying for jobs just for the practice.

This story was posted on 9th January 2008