Catholic College Wodonga

2014 Year 9 Mock Interviews

www.ccw.vic.edu.au 1 Bowman Court, Wodonga VIC 3690 • PO Box 591, Wodonga VIC 3689 Telephone: 02 6043 5500 • Facsimile: 02 6059 3488 The Year 9 Mock Interviews

On Wednesday 5 November, Year 9 students participated in mock interviews with industry representatives coordinated by the College’s Careers Department. The interviews were the final task in their World of Work subject. Their teachers Kathryn Shearer, Peter Symons, Helen Rafferty, Samantha Benstead, Richard Bence, David McFarlane, Fiona Barrett and Kate Troy-Venn worked hard to prepare the students for their interviews by assisting them to develop industry standard resume and application letters and interview skills. All students applied for the same job at the ‘Wodonga Supermarket’ and their applications were sent to external reviewers. Based on their feedback, students updated their applications and these were sent to mock interviewers. On the interview day, students wore clothes that were appropriate for a job interview and all looked very professional. Once the interview was complete, the interviewer filled out a feed back template which gave the student feed back on their dress, body language and how they answered questions. Students have since written a thank-you letter to their interviewer and have completed a reflection task. Thank you to all students for how seriously they took the task- all were very impressive!

The job DESCRIPTION

CUSTOMER SERVICE EMPLOYEE WODONGA SUPERMARKET

Local supermarket is looking for an enthusiastic individual to fill a permanent part-time position. Applicant must have excellent communication and people skills, able to work within team environment and be reliable. Please submit current resume and references. Interviews to be held at Catholic College Wodonga.

2 2014 Year 9 Mock Interviews Year 9 World of Work Program

Unit 2 Process: Apply for an Advertised Position

Year 9 World of Work Program

Unit 2 Process: Apply for an Advertised Position

Students attend a job Students develop seeking skills Students receive the resume and workshop run by mock job description application letter for industry Students attend a job position representatives Students develop seeking skills Students receive the resume and workshop run by mock job description application letter for industry position representatives

Applications sent to Students update their external reviewers resumes and Mock interview held from industry and sent application letters. with industry back to students with These are sent to their Applications sent to Students update their representatives feedback mock interviewers. external reviewers resumes and Mock interview held from industry and sent application letters. with industry back to students with These are sent to their representatives feedback mock interviewers.

Feeback templates Students send Students can choose given to students on thankyou letter to to undertake a second their resume, interviewer reflecting mock interview to application letter and on what they have build on their skills Feeback templates Students send Students can choose interview from learnt from the with the Careers given to students on thankyou letter to to undertake a second interviewers process Leader their resume, interviewer reflecting mock interview to application letter and on what they have build on their skills

interview from learnt from the with the Careers interviewers process Leader 2014 Year 9 3 Mock Interviews Mock Interviewers

• Paul King, Operations Manager, Fire & Emergency Management (CFA) • Louise Humphrey, Director and Physiotherapist, Healthfocus Physiotherapy • Joanna Macklan, Project Officer, North East Local Learning & Employment Network • Andrew Brown, General Manager Client Services, Gateway Health • Michael McLinden, Manager of Building Services (Wodonga and Shepparton), Master Builders Association Victoria • Craig Mundy, Director, Dovedale Bread • Sally Finlay, Recruitment Consultant, MP Personnel and Training • Sandy Worrell, Consultant, SJW Business Services • Sonia Smith, Practice Manager/Administration Officer, Daintree Medical Centre • Rachel Habgood, Team Leader, City of Wodonga Youth Services • Ann Hickey, Human Resources Australia and New Zealand, Sonoco • Phillip Hookway, Regional Manager Vic/Tas, Programmed Integrated Workforce • Susan Smith, Student Enrichment Officer, La Trobe University • Sarah Pearce, Human Resource Coordinator, Kestrel Apprenticeship Solutions • David Gill, Principal Accountant, David Gill & Co • Josie West, Franchise Owner, Bakers Delight • Jenny Rowland, Joint Owner/Operator South Albury Truck Repairs • Julie Pilkington, Recruitment Consultant, ATEL • Vanessa Crosby, Physiotherapist, Albury Wodonga Health. • Lubosh Hanuska, Owner, The Daily Scoop • Stuart Cariss, ‎Senior SCADA Controls Engineer, AGL Energy • Karen Dixon, Project Manager, Bogong GP Training (Hume Region). • Marie Noske, Former employee, NSW Police Force

Interviewers Feedback

“I really enjoyed participating in the Year 9 mock interviews and meeting with the seven young people I interviewed. I imagine that the process of preparing letters and resumes, of attending a mock interview and getting feedback would be really valuable to the students in the future. I was impressed by the fact that students had obviously prepared for the interview, demonstrating an understanding of the mock position and organisation. Another element that stood out was that the programs conducted through the school (such as Carevan, Café Nganala and Rite Journey) added strength to the students’ resumes and would have helped differentiate them in a applicant short-listing process”. Andrew Brown

4 2014 Year 9 Mock Interviews I found the students well dressed and ready to learn. A few already had a part time job showing their readiness to create an impression on the world. Michael McLinden

I found most students were able to engage in their interview with a great smile and strong handshake. All said they would try to create their own solutions first and then ask for help. They were not put off by the extra questions such as ‘“Are you happy to receive feedback” and “What are your weaknesses?” Well done Catholic College. These students will definitely have an advantage over others if they follow this job seeking process. Louise Humphrey

Congratulations to Catholic College Wodonga for another successful Mock Interview Program. The effort students went to was overall fantastic, and noticeably above the standard of applicants we’ve interviewed in our business. Well done to those students we interviewed and also to Catholic College Wodonga for implementing a program students can immediately relate to, and benefit from. It was a pleasure to be involved. Craig Mundy

I thoroughly enjoyed participating in the interviews and it was so lovely to see the young people all dressed up so well for their interviews. Marie Noske

2014 Year 9 Mock Interviews 5 I’m excited that we have a local education facility like Catholic College that is focused on giving every opportunity to their students to understand the needs to get in the workforce and pursue a career. The students I had the pleasure of interviewing clearly understood the need to be prepared and to showcase the best of themselves. They understood the need for presentation, knowing the employer and the needs of the role they were applying for. If these young individuals choose to work in our region many of us employers would consider ourselves very fortunate to have this great calibre of employees. I encourage every student to be diligent and focused when it comes to preparing for the job market. The competition is fierce and only the best resume, presentation and memorable interview will ensure a positive employment outcome in the end. Sonia Smith

As with last year, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the Year 9 students at Catholic College Wodonga. I am very impressed with many of the students preparation for the day and would certainly give more than one an employment opportunity. Sally Finlay

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with the candidates this year. Apart from their preparedness, what I most admired was their ability to overcome their nerves. There was no doubt they were nervous but they were able to think on their feet and answer questions without being noticeably out of their comfort zone. The best part for me was the students expanding on their answers. This is so important as it helps the interviewer gain a better insight into “who they really are”. Well done and thanks again for the opportunity to be involved. Sandy Worrell

6 2014 Year 9 Mock Interviews Interviewers Feedback

Well done to all the students who participated in the mock interview process at Catholic College.The students I had the pleasure of interviewing were all well-presented, polite and fully engaged in the interview process. It was fantastic to see that the students made great efforts with their resume and cover letters and had spent time preparing for the actual interview. Students provided thoughtful responses to planned and unplanned interview questions and although many were nervous, they overcame this initial apprehension with confidence. Joanna Macklan

This is the first time I have assisted with the interviews and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I think that it’s a great initiative of Catholic College and the teachers involved need to be commended on their efforts and how smoothly it all ran. I was very impressed at the students’ enthusiasm and the way they presented themselves. David Gill

Congratulations to the Year 9 students, their teachers and Learning Mentors. The standard of each person that I interviewed was excellent and exceeded my expectations for people so young. Jenny Rowland

2014 Year 9 Mock Interviews 7 This is my second year participating in the Year 9 Mock Interviews at Catholic College and once again I was very impressed with the students. All presented extremely well and demonstrated they had put some time and effort into their applications. Good preparation and research for the interview was evident in the level of confidence and the quality of responses. Interviews are difficult no matter your age or experience, but the students exceeded my expectations for people of that age. The students should be very proud. Sarah Pearce

I was genuinely surprised at the quality of the answers given to the interview questions. The students presented themselves professionally and showed maturity, taking the process seriously. Well done Catholic College on preparing your students with real life work skills! Rachel Habgood

This is the third year that I have had the pleasure as acting as a Mock Interviewer for the year 9 students as part of the “World of Work” project. The students were undoubtedly very nervous but still managed to present themselves in a very positive light with great body language and a lot less fidgeting this year !! The students are to be commended on how seriously they undertook this daunting task, their research on both the fictitious company and position was excellent. I was very impressed at how professional both their resume and covering letter were, some incredibly impressive and how well they engaged at interview Susan Smith

8 2014 Year 9 Mock Interviews RESUME AND APPLICATION LETTER REVIEWERS

• Alfeen Varghese, Practice Principal and Clinical Director, Daintree Medical Centre, Wodonga • Anna Hession, Occupational Therapist, William Hession Occupational Therapy • Linda Marks, Director Business Operations, Murray United FC • Jill Hedditch, Office Manager, ARO Systems • Leah Cassidy, Regional Senior Administrator, GHD Pty Ltd • Cindy Mundy, Workforce Planning Manager, Murrumbidgee Local Health District • Julie Korneluk, Team Leaders / Careers Practitioner, Learner Services, Wodonga Institute of TAFE • Tina Palmero, Office Manager, Border Cleaning Services Pty Ltd • Samantha Robinson, Brand Site and Communications Manager, Morris Wines • Shandelle Blythe, Team Leader, School Wellbeing Program, Centacare SW NSW • Jacki Eckert, Director of Primary Services, Hume Medicare Local • Stuart Cariss, ‎Senior SCADA Controls Engineer, AGL Energy • Simon Barlow, Financial Planner, Barlow Financial Planning • Bernie Garvey, Mortgage Consultant, Mortgage Finance Solutions • Noella Goodwin, Case Manager, The Personnel Group • Kayleen Hernan, Recruitment and Career Services • Brett Heaven, Continuous Improvement Manager, Kotzur • Leonie Hamilton, Practice Nurse, Central Medical Group • Nicole Griffin, Operations Performance Manager, Uncle Tobys – Nestle • Marie Noske, NSW Police Force • Alistair Davies, Payroll Officer, Wodonga Regional Distribution Centre, Woolworths • Deb Covil, Teacher - Albury Independent School, Albury/Wodonga Community College • Linda Sevdalis, Professional writer/ Proof reader • Claire Alexander, Credit Manager, Ron Finemore Transport • Elise Hill, Accounts and Administration, Bluff Glen Holsteins • Clare Kendall, Albury Wodonga Health • Lisa-May Holmes, Paralegal, Loretta Terrill Family Lawyer

Also, Sheridan Erskine, Samone Oswald, Tracey Whitehead, Judy Loorham, Angela and Craig Palmer and Catherine Caton (Company names not provided)

2014 Year 9 Mock Interviews 9 I must congratulate some of the students who It was great to see on the resumes the level took great care in presenting a CV that not only of sporting participation and voluntary roles reflected their talents and strength’s, but also the being undertaken by Catholic College Wodonga qualities they have as an individual. I’m extremely students. I was very impressed with the standard proud of some of the students who have done so of the applications being presented by our much already for the Community. I look forward to students, and I wish them all well with their future seeing some fantastic young adults walking out of applications those school gates in a couple of years! Leah Cassidy Alfeen Varghese Great to see so many students already seeing the value in volunteering their time to learn life skills. I was surprised at the depth of work, sport and Jill Hedditch volunteer experience Year 9 students had - this contributes to making them very employable. Anna Hession It was great to see that the students made a conscious effort in developing and tailoring their Resumes for the position. What a brilliant opportunity for students to gain Julie Korneluk valuable experience and confidence in applying for a job and attending an interview in a supported environment. Well done to Catholic College Wodonga and all involved in setting up this Being involved in this program gave me an insight initiative. I was very impressed with the maturity into some of the extraordinary talents our youth in and thought that most students put into developing Wodonga possess. I was surprised and delighted their cover letters and resumes. by their level of professionalism. Linda Marks Tina Palmero

What a thoroughly enjoyable process. I loved seeing the students’ personalities shine through. I was genuinely impressed with the standard of Wonderful to see such enthusiasm from students work and wonderful use of the English language. about their venture into the workforce! Great Initiative Catholic College! Samantha Robinson Shandelle Blythe

10 2014 Year 9 Mock Interviews I enjoyed the opportunity to participate in the work transition process by reviewing resumes and found the breadth of activities the students are involved outside of school very interesting. I thought they took the activity seriously and think it is a great idea to have an outside and potentially a more critical workplace perspective applied to such an important process in a time of high youth unemployment. Jacki Eckert

The exercise really emphasised to me how important your cover letter and resumes are. First impressions can be very lasting for an employer – so don’t underestimate the importance of attention to detail and how the document looks. Nicole Griffin

It was great to be involved in the future direction of students who have so much employment potential Elise Hill

teacher feedback

Being my first year in theYear 9 program I was blown away by the Mock Interview process. The students gained an enormous amount of experience and increased their confidence. Having to deal with anxiety and nerves on the interview day is also a great skill they are able to develop. The entire process of applying for the job, creating a resume and interviewing are all vital skills the students need in the future; they are extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in this program. The students definitely appreciate the effort all people involved go to and understand the benefits of the program to their future. Samantha Benstead, Reading the World, 9.7

2014 Year 9 Mock Interviews 11 www.ccw.vic.edu.au 1 Bowman Court, Wodonga VIC 3690 • PO Box 591, Wodonga VIC 3689 Telephone: 02 6043 5500 • Facsimile: 02 6059 3488