Shifted Gears a Little Today

Mock Interviews  

Last week, I was asked to conduct a series of mock interviews for graduating high school seniors in Indiana. I was a last-minute substitute for an interviewer who suddenly had a conflict. I received all the information about the mock company, the position for which they were interviewing, and a series of questions I could use as a starting point to prepare for interviews that took place the next morning. The interviews were to be conducted virtually, and although I had a scheduling conflict, I agreed to conduct them from the airport where I would be waiting

I set up a makeshift "office" in a waiting area at the airport, complete with my Mac, iPhone, and the materials I had pulled together the previous afternoon. These were intended to be short interviews designed to make the students more comfortable with and acustomed to the process. Two of the three students I interviewed had previous interview experience, one of whom has held a job for two years and was already familiar with the process.

I won't go into much detail except to say that I tried my best to make the interviews as realistic as possible. I told them not to be nervous. Interviews, if conducted properly, are not a test. Rather, they are questions intended to provide the interviewer with insight into who you are and the assets you bring to a job. I emphasized that there were no wrong answers to the questions I was going to ask, so they could relax and help me get to know them.

As I mentioned, I interviewed three young people virtually: two young ladies and a young man. I don't know whetehr they were average or above average, but I can tell you that each of them displayed characteristics that made them highly employable. All three handled themselves professionally and were very respectful to me as the interviewer. When you see traits like these, you know they have been influenced by positive elements in their lives.

Illustration created in Microsoft Copilot

Throughout my career, I have conducted hundreds of job interviews and have been part of good, bad, and indifferent interviews. These young folks from Indiana knocked it out of the park. They were three different personality types, but it was clear that each had been taught well on how to conduct themselves in a business situation. One was very comfortable with the process; she answered my questions and was able to adjust her responses to align with the direction of the conversation. She interpreted the questions thoughtfully and provided succinct answers. Another interviewee had never been through an interview before. She was noticeably nervous but quickly composed herself and performed very well. She provided answers that fully addressed the questions I asked.

I share all of this to highlight that parents, teachers, and others who come into the lives of our young people influence them immensely. Mentoring doesn't stop there with any one of these influences. We—you and I—should take up that mantle and provide today's young people with role models they can look up to kand aspire to emulate. It is up to each of us to do our part in providing good direction for them. Being a positive role model for the youth is essential. By demonstrating respect, compassion, and providing clear direction and guidance, we can help young people develop into strong, successful adults who contribute positively to society. Through our actions and attitudes, we have the power to inspire and shape the next generation.

...just writing a few lines about what is on my mind today.