Cloverdale’s WorkBC office and Cloverdale Library have once again partnered to present their unique job interview workshop for youth. By bringing in experts to provide instruction and advice and local business managers to conduct mock interviews, the program gives teens an opportunity to learn skills and apply them in a “real life” situation.
“Most young people think of job interviews as a simple opportunity for applicants to talk about themselves,” said Carmen Merrells, Youth Services Librarian at Cloverdale Library. “They think, ‘How hard can that be?’ ”
“They don’t realize that a successful job interview requires a lot of preparation,” she added. “Interview questions can go a lot deeper, involving challenging situational questions, and often result in teens leaving an interview in a daze, not knowing what hit them.”
The free “Rock That Interview” program at Cloverdale Library, includes a workshop presented by Stephanie Pritchard, Community Engagement Coordinator with WorkBC’s Cloverdale Sources Employment Centre, and Jennifer Swanson, author of “What They See: How to Stand Out and Shine in Your New Job.”
After the instructional portion, teens will have the opportunity to practice their new skills with local business managers who will conduct one-on-one mock interviews and give individual feedback.
“That feedback provides teens with priceless information that they would never receive in a real-life situation,” said Merrells.
WorkBC and Cloverdale Library have successfully run this program several times in the past two years and, although on-the-spot hiring is not actually the purpose of the program, several teens have received job offers on the basis of their mock interviews, according to Merrells.
To date, managers from local Starbucks and Panago have agreed to participate, with more pending.
The program runs from 1 to 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17, a non-instructional day. It’s open to anyone between 15 and 24 years of age. Those interested in participating should register at Cloverdale Library, call 604-598-7326 or email cmerrells@surrey.ca