Interview Technique 2013-14End of Year Report

What a fantastic year it has been for Interview Technique! I have been overwhelmed with the dedication of our 286 volunteers from 61 businesses who collectively have enabled 4669 students at 29 events in 26 schools / colleges to receive a mock interview.

In June we celebrated our 25000th interview candidate and another student who was successful in securing an engineering apprenticeship at Nylacast as a result of their preliminary interview at the Beaumont Leys School Interview Technique event.

With the last two statutory schools in the city secured on the project and a predicted 40% rise in the number of students to interview, I am looking forward to a very busy 2014-15! With this in mind, I have been talking to companies about how they can create strategic mechanisms to engage more of their staff, such as using Interview Technique to support training and development, embedding in performance management reviews and creating a business culture that encourages all Managers to participate at least once a year.

I hope that you enjoy reading just some of the many positive comments we have received from the schools, volunteers and students involved this year – please share it with your colleagues and encourage them to contact us. Dates are always planned one year ahead and continuously updated on our website. Please also see the useful map which provides further details and locations of the schools involved.

I would like to say a huge thank you to all our companies and volunteers for their super contribution over the course of the year. I look forward to working with you all again in 2014-15 and hope that you will be able to join us to celebrate our 10 year anniversary on Thursday 27th

November, 5-7pm at The City of Leicester College.

Gail BrownEducation Co-ordinator

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School Feedback

100% of schools rated the Interview Technique programme as excellent (94%) or good. 89% of schools rated the improvement of their students as excellent or good. 100% of schools rated Leicestershire Cares’ management / organisation of the event as

excellent or good.

“This is the third year that we have received the support from Leicestershire Cares’ volunteers in assisting our boys for their impending college interviews and again we have not been disappointed! The boys have grown in confidence and have learned how to improve their interview technique. The fact that the volunteers are from the business world adds value to the experience in that these are individuals whom the boys may meet in future enterprises. I cannot recommend this experience highly enough! Thank you.” Russell Kennedy, Headteacher, The Lancaster School.

“I would like to say a really big thank you to Leicestershire Cares and all of the volunteers who gave up their time and energy to support the young people of Long Field Academy. Students have gained a really useful insight into employment procedures and will certainly use their newly acquired skills in the future. Youth employment is a national concern and events such as the Interview Technique day significantly improve the prospects of our young people.” Mr S. Raithatha, Assistant Principal, Longfield Academy

“A big thank you to all the volunteers. The learners were very positive about this experience and found the volunteers to be very encouraging and motivating. All learners should have the opportunity to take part in the Interview Technique programme. It is so valuable and helps to develop key skills for interview preparation.” Sue Hopewell, Curriculum and Quality Improvement Manager, Leicester College

“There was a great buzz around school once word got around by Tuesday break time that there was nothing to be scared of! Verbal feedback from students has been 100% positive – reported to me by a variety of staff. We’re very pleased with how it went and are already looking forward to next year.” Rachel Marshall, John Cleveland Community College

“An excellent, well managed programme which has provided our students with simulated interview practice – fantastic to see nerves transformed into smiling faces post interview, showing a great sense of achievement.” Sam White, Babington Community College

“This session is so valuable to the learners to build confidence. Thank you to the volunteers, who were very friendly, warm and made the students feel at ease. A very organised and professional event that provides valuable experience to our students.” Sancha Wallis, New College Leicester

“Thank you so much to the volunteers. Our students have really benefitted from this experience. The whole event was a great success and all of the students came out smiling.” Gilly Gaskell, Head of Year 11, Fullhurst Community College

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Student Feedback

We asked the students what they thought about their experience… 93% said they enjoyed the activity 98% found the activity useful 97% would recommend it to other students 88% felt the interview went well 89% said that they felt more confident about attending interviews

How did the interview help them? It gave me an experience in a tense situation and how to do well under pressure. Helped build my confidence, I don’t feel shy any more to have an interview with a stranger. I now know the sort of questions I will be asked and what will be expected of me when I

attend an interview.

What would they do differently / better in their next interview… I will ask them some questions to show I am being involved in the interview. I would add more detail to my answers and make sure I have a wide range of subjects to

talk about. I will sell myself better and talk slower so they can understand me.

About their interviewer… He was friendly and I hope I will get someone who is like him at any of my interviews. Friendly and helpful – tried to get better answers out of me. Really lovely and reviewed my interview well, emphasised on how well I did but also

pointed out ways to improve.

What would you say to another student who was worried about having their mock interview? Just be confident. The people are so friendly and they understand you’re nervous. You shouldn’t be worried, it’s like having a chat about your skills and what you want to do. Listen carefully so you can take everything from the interviewer because they really help

you.

In the future… 21% are hoping to stay on at school to do A levels 58% are hoping to go to College to do A Levels or equivalent 13% are hoping to leave school after GCSEs to work / apprenticeship 13% are hoping to leave education after A levels or equivalent to work / apprenticeship 43% are hoping to go to university

“I thoroughly enjoyed the mock interviews, and thought it was a great experience. The lady that interviewed me was very nice and it wasn’t an awkward interview. I would really like to do this again.” Student, New College Leicester

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“It was interesting to hear what somebody else had to say about my future on a first impression basis rather than the teacher.” Student, Groby Community College

“I think the interview was very useful. I was given good feedback on what I do well and what I need to improve on. In the future, it will help me as I will know what to do to make the best impression and answers possible and to show my unique personality so I am not forgotten.” Student, Lancaster School

“After my interview, I felt proud, honoured and extremely lucky to have had such a great and positive experience which has taught me a lot. I gained some fantastic new skills. I would like to say a big thank you to Leicestershire Cares for a fantastic opportunity.” Student, City of Leicester College

“I thought my interview was very positive and successful. I have learnt to be more confident, enthusiastic and go for it. I will not give up and be more determined with my goals and future.” Student, Fullhurst Community College

“My mock interview went really well, I didn’t believe that I was confident however she made me believe otherwise. I have learnt not to worry, keep eye contact and as long as I try, that’s all I can do. I am now more confident and I know in the future that I have potential.” Student, Samworth Academy

“I thought that the interview was a very interesting and an amazing experience, especially as I have only experienced one interview before. I have learnt different techniques to use in interviews and how to present myself as the best I can be. Learning these techniques will be very beneficial in all types of interviews I will have in the future. Overall, I am glad I got the opportunity to experience this.” Student, St Pauls Catholic School

“What a great interview! This was such a useful experience and I have learnt so many things! It was easier than I thought it would be and has helped me a lot for when I go to interviews in the future.” Student, Charnwood College

“My interview went well, I am now more aware of the questions asked in the interviews and how to answer them successfully. It has given me more confidence so I will be more prepared for my next real interview.” Student, Regent College

“It has helped me to be more confident and be mature.” Student, Crown Hills Community College

“The mock interview was very helpful for me to prepare for future job interviews. I have learnt about the types of questions that they could ask and I also got some suggestions on how to improve my CV which will come in very handy in the future.” Student, Countesthorpe Community College

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Volunteer Feedback

We asked the volunteers what they thought about their experience with Leicestershire Cares’ Interview Technique programme.

100% of volunteers who responded rated the Interview Technique programme over the course of the year as excellent or good.

100% of volunteers who responded rated the impact on the students as excellent or good. 100% of the volunteers rated Leicestershire Cares administration of the event as excellent

or good. 95% rated the school’s organisation of the project as excellent or good.

Below are some examples of why they chose to get involved… Heard from colleagues who had done this before and love working with young people,

thought it would be a great opportunity. I feel it is important to give young people the opportunity to develop interview skills in

order that they have an opportunity to compete in today's job market. Also, it's fun for me! I have a teenage daughter who is motivated and has a specific career goal in mind, not all

students have the same clarity and I wanted to help boost their confidence and provide some useful interview techniques/tips.

I felt that the programme would be extremely beneficial and was eager to be a part of it. Working for the Jobcentre, I have seen a lot of people who haven't been able to benefit from such schemes/programmes and I wanted to be able to make a positive impact on a young person's future.

Supporting local community and encouraging our young people to gain confidence.

Their most memorable moments… For me it was definitely meeting the students and engaging with them, they were all

extremely polite and had such great aspirations. How enthusiastic, realistic and motivated the students were. I could really relate to a lot of

them. I interviewed a foundation level student who was very nervous and lacked confidence.

With help and positive feedback throughout the process I was able to really get the student to open up. The student was able to give really good examples and gained confidence and felt assured he could do well in a real interview.

Some of the experiences used to demonstrate particular skills were really creative and made the experience memorable and entertaining!

To see how some of the quieter pupils changed throughout the 20 minute interview, the recognition that the interviewer can make a real difference in such a short time.

The advice they would give to other Interview Technique volunteers…

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I found it very rewarding and will be encouraging colleagues to get involved. Be open to different students’ attitudes and ambitions and make sure you smile! Go with an open mind and treat each student according to their skills and aspirations and

always home in on the positives first. Smile and be prepared to have to elicit answers where they are not freely given. Volunteering helps you build community and business networks, builds self-esteem and

confidence, as well as developing your own personal and professional skills. A very rewarding experience.

76% volunteers felt they had gained skills which included time management, report writing, analysing information, confidence, understanding young people, networking, people skills, coaching and mentoring, communication and listening skills.

“Thank you for allowing me to interview such a pleasant group of students. Success can never be achieved unless someone, like the students that I interviewed, has the vision and desire to initiate it.” Jas Bains

“It was very rewarding and great experience interviewing the students also, an eye opener of how many activities some students do outside college which involves using different types of skills. The ones I interviewed were very bright, polite, intelligent students and had set goals of where they see themselves in the next few years. Highly recommend it to anyone to take part.” Illa Gajjar

“A well organised, thoroughly rewarding and enjoyable experience. The students at Crown Hills were an inspiration. Highly recommended.” Robert Quinn, British Gas

Companies 2013-14

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We would like to extend a huge thank you to all of our committed employers and volunteers who have made this possible over the last academic year:

The most active volunteers were:

Andy Stanley 23 sessionsMark Woodland 20 sessionsRobert Pike 18 sessionsRosemary Redhead 12 sessionsMargaret Birch 7 sessions

Do you know anyone who may wish to get involved? Can you help find some suitable volunteers from within your business? For each volunteer confirmed, 10 more students will receive this fantastic opportunity to focus their futures. Please share this report and help us continue to build our volunteer base. For more information, please contact Karla James on 0116 275 6490 or see our website www.leicestershirecares.co.uk.

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Access Group HMPS PochinAlltruck plc Howes Percival Propraxis Ltd.Amateur Swimming Association HSBC PriceWaterhouseCoopersAshfieldin2Focus John Lewis Leicester SaladworksAurum Holdings KPMG Walker and SonBellrock Leicester City Council Brooksby FoodsBenson Group Leicester Civic Society SantanderBlaby District Council Leicester College Severn TrentBritish Gas Leicestershire Constabulary Skills Funding AgencyCharnwood Packaging Ltd. Leicestershire County Council Stagecoach Arts LeicesterColton Packaging LF Logistics SytnerDNV GL Loughborough University TerexDWP Leics & Rutland Probation Trust Travis PerkinsEverards Middleton Lettings University of LeicesterFisher Scientific National Grid Voluntary Action LeicestershireFord & Slater Nelsons Walkers SnackfoodsGrant Thornton NMBS Whitehall SchoolHinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Nylacast William Bradford CCHinckley & Rugby Building Society Office Depot Youth Offending Service

Pick Everard