A first-ever job interview can be a nerve-wracking experience. So, to help ease school-leavers’ interview anxieties, fifteen Driver Hire Group Services staff spent a day at Dixons City Academy in Bradford conducting mock interviews with 175 Year 11 students.
“It’s all part of Driver Hire’s community investment strategy,” says Group Marketing Director, Richard Owen-Hughes, who was one of the interview team which comprised staff from all parts of the business. “We’ve been doing the mock interview day for several years, with both Dixons City Academy and Dixons Kings Academy. It’s a real privilege to be back.”
To make the process as ‘real life’ as possible, students had to prepare a CV prior to their interview focusing not just on educational achievements and predicted grades, but their other skills and any outside interests. During a 15-minute interview, Driver Hire’s team challenged students to think about problem solving, teamwork and where they hoped they might be in ten years’ time. Students were also given immediate feedback on how well they’d performed.
“Whilst it means finding time in already busy schedules, everyone agreed that Dixons big interview day is such a worthwhile thing to do – both for us and for the students. We were so impressed with how they presented themselves and how well they conducted their interviews. Whether they choose to remain in education or go into the world of work, Driver Hire wishes them every success.”
Jonathan Yale, Head of Careers, Dixons City Academy added: “naturally some of our students were nervous ahead of the interview. They were absolutely buzzing afterwards. It’s been a valuable insight into the world of work and the type of questions they might be asked in a real job interview. That’s so important when it comes to successfully finding a job. From our students and Dixons City Academy we send a massive vote of thanks to all the Driver Hire interview team.”
