This Tuesday, Goshen College students had the opportunity to practice for job interviews and graduate school interviews through “Super Tuesday,” an annual event offered by career services that matches students with area professionals for practice. In this event, the 62 registered students had the chance to practice and improve their interview skills as well as to have their resume reviewed.
To register for the event, students were required to send a resume to Megan Bonham, coordinator of the event and career services administrative assistant, along with a potential job description or graduate school application for which they were interested. Bonham matched up each student with an interviewer and a timeslot, and information on potential interview questions and tips on dress attire was sent to participating students.
Students' experience began from the moment he or she arrived the waiting room in the hall next to the Fellowship Hall, where the interviews took place. Students sat together, some more nervous than others. A man or a woman dressed professionally emerges from the Fellowship Hall and calls a name. The student gets up from the chair and encounters the first test--the hand shake. They walk together into the fellowship hall and sit across from in each other at a table. The interview begins. Students face questions like, “Have you always been interested in music?” “How would you deal with this situation?” and “Your resume says you’ve traveled quite a bit. Tell me about that.”
Bonham explained, “This is a good opportunity for students to practice what would actually happen during a real interview. At the end of each interview, the students get feedback on their interview skills, resume and on how to better represent themselves.”
The interviewers were professionals from various careers that volunteered from the community, and also some people from campus that work in the field of Human Resources. “The examiners evaluate the initial handshake, their level of confidence, their body language and whether or not they show to have the necessary skills for the job,” said Bonham.
Students finished their evaluations feeling like they had gained valuable experience. Senior Ana Yoder said, “It was good to talk with someone who does interviews with other people and hear what actual interviews are like. One of the things I learned was to know the organization you’re interviewing for, so you can stand out among other interviewers.” Molly Kellogg, another senior, said, “I thought it was really helpful. I got very positive feedback and very good advice on how to improve my interview skills.”
