Student Taylor Franken is interviewed by Jen Savage at the Real Industry Job Interviews program taking place at Kyabram P-12 College.
Photo by
Bree Lambert
A polished resume might get you through the door, but what actually happens when you sit down for the interview?
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Vocational major students at Kyabram P-12 College recently found out when they went face-to-face with local employers as part of the Real Industry Job Interviews program on Thursday, September 10.
Organised by the Campaspe Cohuna Local Learning and Employment Network, the initiative gave students a chance to practise a formal job interview and receive feedback from people working in industry.
Kyabram General Engineering owner and director Adam Thomson was one of the industry volunteers who interviewed students on the day.
Mr Thomson said his approach was to first make students feel comfortable before moving into the more formal questions.
“You break the ice with them, get to know them, get them comfortable,” he said.
Students came into the interviews with their resumes and cover letters ready, then had the chance to put their interview skills to the test with the industry volunteers.
Afterwards, they received feedback on what they did well and where they could improve.
“If they can grow themselves as a person whilst they’re still at school and develop the skills they need to lead into industry, they’ll be better off in the long run,” Mr Thomson said.
Alma Limbrick interviews Caileb Burgess-Whitby.
Photo by
Bree Lambert
CCLLEN program co-ordinator Cath Elms said the event gave students the chance to experience a professional interview and connected young people with the local business world.
“It’s often their first actual real interview experience,” Ms Elms said.
She said regional students often had informal conversations with employers or gained experience through work experience, but the mock interviews gave them the opportunity to practise in a professional interview setting.
Ms Elms said one of the benefits was seeing students become more confident.
“They’re coming in really nervous (but) when they go, they’re smiling and they’re feeling more confident,” she said.
The experience also helps students become more comfortable talking about themselves and their strengths — something Ms Elms said could be difficult.
“You have to sell yourself and it’s okay to do that,” she said.
“It’s what you need to do in the business world.”
With a little less nervousness and a little more confidence, students left the mock interviews better prepared to make the transition from school into the workforce.
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