Taylah Jones from Connecting Futures interviewing Year 9 Anthony Evans during one of the job interviews.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Last week, Year 9 students at Australian Christian College Echuca got a preview of one of adulthood’s scariest undertakings ‒ the job interview.
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Beacon hosted the year’s first round of Real Industry Job Interviews (RIJI), also known as mock interviews, at the college on Wednesday, June 3 with the cohort nervously presenting themselves to real-life industry professionals.
The RIJI program was ACC Beacon leader Georgia Metelmann’s first opportunity to do a job interview, and said it had been great for growing her communication and leadership skills.
She had to prepare a resumé and cover letter before the RIJI, which taught her how to showcase her achievements and skills effectively, giving her confidence for future applications.
Australian Christian College Beacon leaders Jack Johnstone and Georgia Metelmann with Beacon co-ordinator Bobbi Aitken (middle).
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
“I’ve drastically improved from where I was at the beginning (of the program), and now I’m ready to be interviewed – I’m looking forward to the experience,” she said.
While not everyone shares Georgia's enthusiasm for job interviews, Beacon project co-ordinator Cath Elms says the program focuses on preparing students for real-world situations, building their confidence and teaching them professional presentation skills.
“We talk to the students about employability skills and what they are, and how they all have those skills already... so there’s always something positive to take away from it,” Ms Elms said.
“(Students are) always quite nervous going into the interview, not sure what to expect... but they always come away smiling, quite energised, and feeling quite positive.”
Ms Elms said they were prepared for everything before the interview, even something as seemingly simple as shaking the hand of their interviewer.
The biggest hurdle for students, according to Ms Elms, was overcoming the ‘tall poppy’ mindset.
Australians don’t tend to talk ourselves up, but when it comes to interviews, you actually do need to be promoting your strengths and abilities, Ms Elms said.
“It’s okay to say that ‘I’m an excellent communicator’. That’s not bragging, that’s just telling people where your skill-sets are.”
Year 9 student Edna Dany being interviewed by James Holt from Brandrick Architects.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Year 9 student Daniel Collins being interviewed by David Brown from Mawsons Concrete.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
The industry professionals volunteer their time, many through existing Beacon connections, and Ms Elms said their contribution was invaluable to the program's success.
“We always marvel at how amazing our community is, and how willing they are to put their hand up to participate and be a part of the experience,” she said.
“Without those volunteer interviewers, we couldn’t give the students that experience.”
Ms Elms said the program welcomed more industry professionals to volunteer for RIJI interviews, helping shape the next generation's career readiness.
Interested volunteers should contact Beacon at info@beaconem.com.au
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