career education - riji-didge!

Real Industry Job Interviews

Laura Hughes

Careers Counsellor

A group of Year 10 students recently participated in the interview component of the RIJI program – Real Industry Job Interviews.

After working on their resumes,  cover letters, applications and interview preparation during their Home Group sessions in Term 2, the students undertook a mock interview for an industry job, each interviewed by a volunteer from the relevant industry! Prior to the session, students were encouraged to consider the many factors involved in preparing for an interview - how to present themselves, how to speak with confidence, how to 'sell' their strengths, develop  strategies to help them answer questions on the spot - as well as to deal with pre-interview nerves!

Although the students were not applying for 'real' jobs,  the RIJI session is no less daunting as it endeavours to provide as authentic experience as possible.  In many cases, students have never been interviewed for a job before and the whole process of applying for a job, compiling a resume, writing a letter of application and being interviewed is entirely new to them. 

Leaders from various industries across the Moreland area volunteer their time to participate in this event. 

Using their professional knowledge and experience, these leaders conduct the interviews at RIJI as a tangible adn valuable  way to help local youth gain the skills needed to be successful in a highly competitive labour market. They not only provided a valuable interview experience  for our students, but also gave constructive feedback on student performance at interview as well as on the quality of resumes, letters and applications.  Armed with this, our students can reflect on their interview and identify ways in which they can improve at the next effort.

The RIJI event was obviously successful; students were excited to share their individual experiences and feedback with each other and judging by their animation, it was clear that they had been introduced to some important life-skills that will benefit them into the future. They now know first-hand what it is like to be interviewed and what they can expect from similar situations in the future.

The BSC participnts can be really proud of themselves and their efforts  – RIJI was really glad to have us there!