Students 'hone interview technique'

Year 11 students at a school have been undergoing formal job interview practice to prepare them for securing employment, it has been revealed.

Students at The Petersfield School are working with tutors to complete application forms, create CVs and develop techniques before putting on suits and being interviewed by officers from East Hants district council, councillor Hilary Ayer, two school governors, Bill Pearce from the Kings Arms and Kathy Gunn of careers advisory group Connexions.

Each interview lasted 15 minutes with an evaluation form for immediate feedback on presentation, appearance, posture, attitude and confidence and prizes presented for the best 'jobseekers'.

Paul Harvey, vocational education co-ordinator, said: "No one likes being interviewed, but it is something that you can improve on with practice. This is an ideal opportunity for the students to practise their interview technique."

He added that the project also gave the students the chance to think about themselves and what they have to offer.

Last week, Fiona Coombe, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation's director of professional services, commented that there may be a tendency for more candidates to stretch the truth on their CVs in the difficult economic climate.

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Filed: 02-02-2009