On Wednesday 8th May, half of the Year 10 student cohort participated in Mock Interviews.

Mock Interviews are preparatory scenario in which the school gives students an opportunity to experience a job interview in a safe, constructive and familiar space before they start going for real interviews in their careers.

Students were assigned a time for the 15-minute interview that allowed for a conversation about their personal skills, attributes and interests, current school experiences, participation in extra-curricular activities, future academic plans and possible career goals.

To have a successful mock interview, all year 10 students were required to walk into the interview with a resume and cover letter. These two documents were prepared during their PEP class, under the instruction and guidance of their PEP teacher.

During the interview students were assessed nonverbal behaviours such as the presentation and content of both their resume and cover letter, maintaining good eye contact and posture and verbal behaviour such as displaying enthusiasm, answering questions concisely and completely, and speaking clearly and audibly. Recommendations on improving the resume and cover letter were given, in addition to the ways in which to seek guidance and information on course and career pathways.

The student evaluation forms will be returned to every student during the 2024 Year 10 to 2025 Year 11 course counselling session early term 3.

Next Wednesday 15th May sees the other half of Year 10 student cohort participate in this activity.

Thank you to our guests from Brighton Rotary, Arthur, Jo and team, James Newbury our Local Brighton MP and all who who are associated with Stride Education and volunteered their time to our students and guided them through the interview process. These sessions would not be possible without your continued support.

Student reflections on the Mock Interviews:

Giselle Douglas

‘Today the year 10s had their mock interviews. I had the opportunity to see what it would be like during an interview, as I was asked different questions that I might experience during a real interview. Then as my time went on, my interviewer and I talked about what I want to do when I am older.

Before this, I had never actually voiced what was in my head for my future. I was able to speak about my ideas for travel and working in the medical field. My interviewer gave me suggestions for my current plans making me feel really acknowledged and made it clear that my future is something to think about now but not to get too hung up on.

Coming up, I plan to go to the careers expo and look at all my options. This interview pushed me to actually say what would be fulfilling for my future and speak my opinion on what I could do.

I was lucky enough to get opportunities given to me on what might be something I would want to do, as my interviewer gave examples and ideas from her experiences. I walked into this interview, without a thought on what my future career could even look like, and I was lucky enough to walk out with the innovative ideas and a better understanding of what it is I want to do’.

YEAR 8 PERSUASIVE CAMPAIGN