The Stephen Longfellow Academy worked in partnership with The Department for Work and Pensions and Halfords to arrange mock interviews for its Year 10 students. The main aim was to prepare students for future college, apprenticeship, and job interviews, which students would face in Year 11.
Prior to the mock interviews, students spent time during form time learning about what an interview is, preparing possible questions and identifying what makes a good answer. Some of the questions included:
Tell me something about yourself?
Tell me about any volunteering or work experience that you have done?
Give me three words that your teacher would use to describe you and why?
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
In the interview students were not only graded by their answers but were judged against eye contact, body language and manners. Each interview lasted approximately 10 minutes. At the end of the interview, students were given individual feedback on how they could improve their interview answers and technique.
In total 76% of Year 10 students who were in the academy on the day engaged with the Mock interview process. Students who participated were very positive about the experience. Those students who missed their interviews will have the opportunity to undertake a mock interview with Mr Gill in the Careers Department at a later date.
It was clear to see from student feedback forms that:
- 88% of students said they now felt more confident about interviews since undertaking these mock interviews.
- 88% of students said they had become more aware of the interview process.
- 88% said it was useful to practice Interview questions.
- 88% said, the interview helped them become more aware of employer and college expectations.
- 81% said the interviewer’s feedback was useful.
Student feedback comments included:
- “It gave me an idea of what an interview might be like”
- “I thought the interview was good”
- “I was told I need to elaborate on what has been said”
- “Useful”
- “Good to practice”
- “I think it will help”
Interviewer feedback
“Just want to say a massive, massive thank you for having me today to carry out the mock interviews. I didn’t think it would have such an emotional impact on me that it did. The students that I interviewed, were all unique in their own way. some quiet, some talkative – but that makes them who they are. They engaged and responded well. I am going to speak to the regional manager of Bradford, to see if I can get it ok’d for the students that are interested to come and spend a few hours or a day with myself in centre – will let you know asap once this is confirmed.
Again, a massive thank you – I am sure they found this useful and enjoyed it as much as I did.”
Alex Hirst (Apprenticeship Coordinator – Halfords)
The Year 10 mock interviews were a successful careers intervention, and even though several of the students found this experience challenging, it helped increase their confidence in facing interviews and understanding the interview process. Every student who participated will be provided a certificate of participation for their Record of Achievement and four students gained £5 on their amazon accounts for excellent interviews. The Stephen Longfellow Academy will continue to work with The Department for Work and Pensions and Halfords to support its careers programme.