March 18, 2024

Mock interviews give NHS seniors quality practice

About 160 students, 40 employers participated

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They had a chance to impress local employers, but if they didn’t, the fixes to make might be minimal.

About 160 Newton High School seniors had the chance to get more familiar with the process of interviewing for a job in a unique event held at the Newton DMACC campus on Wednesday. Organized by Goodwill Career Connection Center Coordinator Miranda Kulis, the event was available to about 160 of NHS’s 185 seniors, but there were some no-shows.

Those who attended the second-annual mock interviewing event gained valuable experience, and had a chance to help themselves. In addition to getting written feedback from the mock interviewers, who all represented area employers, students had the chance to get to know employers that might be willing to hire them in the near future.

“I heard wonderful feedback from the employers/interviewers as well as the students and faculty from the school,” Kulis said. “I actually feel like this year went smoother than last year, as should be expected.  We always have some students who are not able to make the day due to an illness or something similar, and we arrange to interview them at a later date so they do get the experience.”

Kulis said the mock interviewing team seems to be fairly unique.

“The idea actually came from just talking with the high school (administration) last year and deciding that this was something we could coordinate,” Kulis said. “Our other two (career) centers in Des Moines and Johnston do not coordinate anything like this. Also, I have had numerous high schools contact me requesting that we coordinate something like this with their schools however, with the amount of time and effort that goes in to coordinating this day, I have felt it is best to focus on Newton and I have given those other schools any notes or advice that I can. Thus far, none of them have been able to make this happen.”

Kulis said about 25 of the 2015 seniors who interviewed at last year’s event were later placed with an employer. There were about 40 employers represented this year, including the Pella Corporation, Newton Community School District and other government organizations, Trinity Structural Towers, Newton Daily News and several agricultural employers.

One NHS senior, Adrienne Bergman, said the event helps provide needed practice to learn how to speak to future employers.

“It builds confidence and teaches you how to speak eloquently with prospective employers,” Bergman said. “I have done interviews before, so I knew what to expect. It wasn’t really nerve racking. I think it was a helpful experience especially for students who have never been in an interview before. It gave them an idea of what future interviews might be like.”

Employers seemed impressed with some the Class of 2016’s interview skills, and if there were shortcomings, those were easy to identify. Craig Armstrong, the city of Newton’s development specialist, said one of the students spoke well and seemed well-informed and well-prepared, and aside from keeping hands folded and motionless in a sort of nervous way, the eye contact and other elements were exactly what is sought by employers.

Students were encouraged to be pro-active and ask questions. Ann Leonard, a Newton Schools board member who helped interview students, said one of her interviewees was not very talkative, and Leonard ended up asking most of the questions.

Several employers said students need to be positive and to play up their strengths, rather than downplaying their abilities or mentioning weaknesses.

Savannah Eadens thanked NHS staff for helping her and other NHS seniors for the types of questions they’d face at mock and live interviews.

“It’s just another step into our futures outside of high school,” Eadens said. “Unfortunately, a company I was supposed to interview with was not there, so I interviewed with another HR director. I still felt she was really helpful in telling me what I did well and didn’t do well. I think the Goodwill Career Center and Miranda are doing a pretty great thing by helping students get connected with companies in the community.”

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com