Do you remember your first interview? The nerves, the sweaty palms, stumbling over your words, can’t remember that brilliant question your mum suggested… Whether it’s for a paper round, a Saturday job or you’re coming out of education and want to join the full time world of work, the first interview is the hardest. Or should that say weirdest? Interviews are funny things, what else in life do we spend only 30 to 60 minutes on to decide if we want to do it every day for the next few years? We take longer than that over buying a pair of shoes.
Then there’s the complete strangers and the building we’ve never been in. The rest of the employees who have their eyes on the candidates wondering who might be joining their team. It’s a wonder we manage to get through it unscathed. Plus, the interviewers are often nervous too!
Enter the reverse job fair. This is something which helps our students meet new companies and find jobs. With coaching and support as necessary, our students turn the tables on employers and interview them. It’s like a careers fair but the students are the ones behind the tables and companies need to sell to them what they’ve got to offer.
When they’ve got all their friends and job coaches in the same room with them, it’s so much easier. Anyone else fancy taking their friend to an interview as moral support? I know I would. You get the best out of people when they’re calm, collected and smiling.
Our students are doing fabulously in their work placements and they’re getting some great feedback. They’re working in hospitality, construction, healthcare, facilities, security, retail, logistics…the list goes on. So, if you have a job that you think might fit one of them, get in touch and come along. It’s on 26th March at Nexus by Leeds University. We’d love to see you there!