Preparing to go out in the real world can be hard, but senior Megan Reed is taking extra steps to help with the transition.
Reed said she heard about mock interviews happening on campus and knew it was a good idea to sign up.
“It was a decision that I made on my own,” Reed said. “I knew I would be entering the workforce within a few weeks, and I felt I needed to tighten up my interviewing skills so I could land a job I wanted.”
HR manager Peg Brown and Adawe Director Dr. Teresa Kriley put the mock interviews together.
“The intent of the interviews was to try to prepare students to go out in the real world and interview for jobs in their focus areas,” Brown said.
The mock interviews teach students how to present themselves during interviews and how to write a good resume.
“Resumes are the first impression,” Brown said. “If the employer has to focus too much time on your resume then it will be thrown in the do not contact pile; this is what we were trying to teach the students involved.”
Reed was happy she took the time to participate in the mock interviews.
“The mock interview helped me gain the inside knowledge on what type of questions and skills the corporate world would be looking for in a prospective candidate,” Reed said.
Reed also said Kriley and Brown were helpful when it came to asking questions and giving out information.
“After my interview I felt I left with a lot of helpful information to prepare me for my actual interview — like a list of questions I might be asked during an interview,” Reed said. “Peg Brown told me to stop by anytime in her office for more help with the interview process and that she would be more than willing to help me whenever.”
Sophomore Amy Hastings did not participate in the mock interviews but said she would be signing up next year.
“I didn’t realize how important interviewing skills were until I joined PRSSA,” Hastings said.
Brown said, “It is a challenging job market, so for someone who is going out for the first time right after college need every tool and opportunity they can get.”