Our school recently hosted our 4th annual Speed Interview event where human resource (HR) professionals conducted mock job interviews with our school’s Grade 12 students. The aim of the event was to help prepare students for the world of work by creating a real-world interview scenario with an experienced professional.
We matched students career interests to donor companies that support our school, with a particular focus on technology, engineering, finance and other leading industries. In preparation for the interviews, students prepared a curriculum vitae, a cover letter, researched the company and were given mock interview scenarios. Each student had a 30 min interview session with an HR professional, after which they received constructive feedback on their interview skills. “The mock interview experience gave us an idea of what it would be like one day when we are really interviewed for a job. One of the biggest lessons I learnt today was that when asked about your weakness, you should also explain how you would apply it as a strength in the workplace,” Aluta D., Grade 12 student at Christel House SA.
Interviewers were particularly impressed with the preparation and professionalism shown by many of the students. “I’m so impressed with the product that Christel House is producing and they’ve got to be very proud of their students and what they’re doing for the community,” Chris Buchanan, Director of Client Solutions Russia & Africa at Dell Technologies and Christel House SA Board Member.
“It was lovely meeting the kids and getting to know more about them, their struggles and their dreams. Our goal today was to be able to provide the students with the soft skills they’ll need to reach their dreams,” said Dineo Mphela, HR Business Partner at Growthpoint Properties.
We would like to express our gratitude to the following organisations who took part in the Speed Interview event: Blue Label Telecoms, BlackRock, CHEP, Dell Technologies, Donaldson Filtration Solutions, Growthpoint Properties, Maersk, Rain, Roche, Smollan and The Philanthropy Initiative with Employees of Allan Gray.