Winning Futures – Inspiring and preparing youth to succeed through mentoring.

Posts Tagged ‘personal references’

Winning Futures works with high school students to help them prepare for job interviews. This is done in a series of sessions to allow the students time to learn the techniques and practice them with their career coach/mentor. The first interview stage (that should not be over looked) is getting ready.

Students are taught that in preparation:

*They will need to have with them:
-Resume (even if one was already submitted)
-Social Security Card
-Drivers license or certified copy of birth certificate
-Samples of work if the job is technical
-Names and addresses of three personal references
-Thank-you cards for follow-up immediately after the interview

*They should learn about the organization:
-Products and services provided
-Office location
-Growth potential
Information on the company can be found by getting a brochure, looking the company up on the internet, asking someone in the industry, getting a copy of the companies annual report.

*Mentors discuss with students proper dress attire of an interview. Although they may feel the most comfortable in jeans and tennis shoes, it is always important to dress to suit the interviewer.

*And the final segment in the preparation stage is rehearsing answers to popular questions asked by interviewers. Practicing interview questions with an adult can help ease anxiety while in the interview. Some common interview questions asked could be:
-Why would you like to do this work? Do you have any experience in this field?
-Why would you like to work with our company?
-Are you willing to travel or relocate?
-What do you do in your spare time? Social? Sports? Hobbies? Interests?
-What are you looking for in a job?
-Do you have transportation to work?
-What do you consider your strengths and weaknesses?
-Why should I hire you?
-Where do you see yourself five years from now?

If students are well prepared for an interview and keep a positive attitude, they will eventually find a job that utilizes their strengths and abilities and they that enjoy doing!