Mock Interviews @ The Marches Academy

Teenage pupils are often too modest of their achievements members of the Rotary Club of Oswestry found when they joined forces with The Marches School in staging a massive mock interview session.

Having established the value of  the Rotary mock interview experience spread over several weeks, Rotarians welcomed the school's invitation to make it a flagship event in a single day.

Oswestry Rotary Club President Stuart Phillips, said "It was a massive challenge but using our well-tested formula and tremendous input from the school,  Club members supported by other business representatives conducted face-to-face interviews with just under 200 pupils.

David Lloyd, the club's Vocational Committee Chairman, explained that this was more than a careers event for firms to inform youngsters of possible job opportunities.  He commented: "It is more of an ice-breaker enabling 15 and 16 year olds to meet a total stranger in a realistic interview situation and learn how to present themselves and to be offered help and guidance.

"We were greatly impressed by the way the young interviewees had prepared themselves for the big day in the school calendar. Most had an idea of a career choice and the academic and other requirements.

"But gentle digging by interviewers revealed that many of the youngsters had been too shy in identifying examples of leadership, teamwork and  how hobbies, out of school  activities and part-time work experience would help influence a potential employer."

Mr Lloyd said the event had proved massively rewarding for the 37 visiting interviewers thanks to the performance of the pupils and  the Academy's ability to accommodate the logistical challenge of so many interviews and interviewers all in the same day.