Scotch College

Mock interview programme helps Years 11 and 12 boys

Also interview skills and resume writing training

Once again this year the school was fortunate to have the services of Don Kinsey and Ben Hosking who presented a workshop on Interview Skills/Resume Writing to each Year 11 English class. Both Don and Ben are experienced professionals in this most important aspect of career development and they are able to provide the students with an excellent start to developing these skills.

Ben Hosking has a wealth of experience in the personnel field particularly with respect to the business sector and Don Kinsey has worked in the media and public relations for many years. They also run their own company Communicators Melbourne which runs courses in communication skills. Don and Ben are also interviewers for the mock interview programme.

Messrs Hosking and Kinsey conducted a programme that focussed on resume writing skills and interview skills. The types of questions asked in an interview, body language, clear and concise speech and preparation for an interview were all discussed. I am sure that this programme has contributed to the improved interview skills that the students are demonstrating in the mock interview programme.

Mock interview programme

This year about 120 Year 11 and 12 students experienced a one to one interview with a professional in a diverse range of careers. The students are advised to come dressed appropriately for their particular interview, so we have potential accountants and hotel managers in double breasted suits and many other students in jackets and ties.

The feedback from the interviewers has been consistently good this year and it seems that Scotch students are improving the quality of their resumes and general interview skills.

The practice interview helps in career research

The practice interview not only assists the boys in acquiring good interview skills but it also allows them to find out more about a particular career.

As has been mentioned many times before in this Bulletin the Mock Interviews are invaluable practice for selection interviews used by many University and TAFE courses.

The mock interview programme is dependent upon the voluntary services of many Old Boys, parents and friends of the Scotch community and the Careers Department is most grateful for their time and professional approach to this programme.

Careers Master Dr Robert Smith is always keen to involve new interviewers in this programme and would welcome offers of assistance from any parents, old boys or other members of the Scotch family.

Volunteers are warmly invited to ring Dr Smith at school during normal school hours.

Dr R Smith