This week Heathfield Community College welcomed employers and visitors from a wide field of working backgrounds into the College. They had taken time from busy working lives to meet with and interview all our Year 13 students, providing a professional interview experience and feedback.
Students rose admirably to this challenge: dressing to impress, working to create positive impressions, and preparing strong responses to some tricky interview questions.
We were fortunate to have 19 interviewers who volunteered their time including alumni, governors, enterprise champions from the East Sussex Careers hub and local employers. This year’s interviewers ranged in their professional experience including: the NHS, Finance Industries, green economy, creative sector, recruitment, British Army, Fire Service, Law, business coaching, civil service and local family run businesses.
All were most positive about the young people they met today, praising their ambition, confidence, experience and employability skills. Quotes include:
‘The students I spoke to were so positive, well presented and well prepared for the event. They had obviously thought about how to answer the questions and knew clearly what they wanted to do and how they were going to achieve it. It was a pleasure to talk to them.’
‘Always a pleasure and privilege to help young people practice interviewing, and learn how they can better prepare themselves for the world of work. Amazed by the standard today at Heathfield Community College, the ambition and willingness to improve. We are in safe hands with these individuals!’
‘I think it was a really good event and I was really impressed with all the students I saw today.’
Although several students had a few nerves before their interviews, they were equally positive about their experiences, noting how useful a practice interview with a professional had been. Several students have used the opportunity for a little business networking; with an eye on securing work after their A levels.
If you are a local employer or have experience which would support students onward progression please do get in touch with Ms Jo Taylor ([email protected])