Senior Eric Thompson fields questions from Shani Tyler Jones during the EFE class’ mock interview day at Chesterfield Community High School.

Chris Breiner may not have gotten the job that he applied for at Hill Phoenix, but he still walked out of the interview all smiles. After all, it was only a mock interview and he passed with flying colors.

“It was a great experience; I enjoyed it a lot,” says Breiner. “I had gone on two job interviews before, but this taught me how to act when I am on an interview and how to answer interview questions more intelligently.”

Breiner, a senior at Chesterfield Community High School, was one of approximately 20 students to participate in the mock interview as part of the school’s Education for Employment class. On Wednesday, November 12, representatives from refrigerator manufacturer Hill Phoenix arrived at the school to conduct mock interviews, allowing students the opportunity to hone their interviewing skills with actual human resource employees.

“The kids really learn a lot with this experience and they have been really excited about the opportunity to interview for a real career job, and not something in fast food,” says Linda Nell, teacher of the EFE class. “They are hearing the same things that I have already taught them, but hearing it from an outside source is always better. It validates what I have said.”

In preparation for the mock interviews, students filled out actual applications to Hill Phoenix and did research to familiarize themselves with the company. After their interviews, students were given feedback on what they did well and what they still need to work on.

“The work that the students here have done is just phenomenal,” says Jennifer Robinson, Human Resource Generalist for Hill Phoenix. “I am really impressed to see how this high school has prepared students to enter the workforce. They have done a lot of work on the front end, teaching kids how to research a company to see how they would fit in it, and have put emphasis on looking for a career, not a job.”

With this as their first partnership with Hill Phoenix, staff at the school are excited about having the chance to continue to offer this real-world experience to students.

“We had met representatives from Hill Phoenix over the summer and it felt like a natural partnership. They are interested in working with schools to develop their employee force and we hope that our students will seek employment after they graduate if they don’t continue into college,” says Barbara Micou, CIS site coordinator at Community. “This helps our students improve their readiness for job interviews and lets them see what is available in the community.”

While the partnership with Hill Phoenix is new for Community, the idea of giving students real-world experience is hardly a new one. For several years, representatives from King’s Dominion conducted actual interviews at the school, hiring students on the spot. Students have also visited career fairs at John Tyler Community College and can earn extra class credit if they currently hold a job.

“Though the class is only one credit, students who have a job can earn an additional two if they have completed at least 360 hours at their job and have been successful in it,” says Nell.

EFE classes are offered across the state and have been at Community since the school started. Aside from interviewing skills, students also explore career options, perform self-assessments, undergo customer service training, and learn financial literacy.

nderatto@villagepublishing.com | 751-0421

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