Students Gain Insight from Mock Interviews

Sarah Shepard strode into the interview Thursday the picture of confidence, decked out in a charcoal sweater dress and black pumps with sky-high heels. She handed her resume to Stephen Walker, director of marketing for Marley Station Mall, shook his hand and said she was glad to meet him.

However, this was not a typical interview.

For one thing, Shepard is a 17-year-old high school junior. For another, this interview was taking place at as part of the school's mock interview program.

"I've always wanted to be a psychologist since I was a little girl," Shepard told Walker. "The reason I want to be a psychologist is because sitting behind a desk seems boring to me."

Walker and other volunteers from a variety of business and educational backgrounds have been volunteering at the Ferndale school since Monday to offer about 500 juniors pointers. After a 10-minute interview, the students received advice on their resumes, and interviewing—in terms of their attire, ability to answer questions and poise. The mock interviewing program ends Friday.

The school's Business Advisory Board has sponsored the program for the past eight years.

"It is one of the coolest things I'm a part of because of what it builds in the students," said Liz Wagner, a past board president who volunteered to organize this year's program. "For some, this is their first interview. Some have jobs, so they've had interviews. Some have questions for you. They just blow you away."

Walker said that was certainly the case when he talked to Shepard. He said he was impressed enough by her poise and confidence to help her find a job with one of the mall's tenants.

"I'm going to call you. I may have something for you, if you really want a part-time job," he told her. "I think, ultimately for you, you have it down."

While the students learned how to create a resume and some interviewing pointers in English class, Shepard said she always has felt self confidence in her accomplishments. She's active in 17 clubs, acts in plays, writes for the newspaper and has a color-coded day planner filled out to June.

"I'm a people person. I love to talk to people and interact with them," she said.

"Time management obviously is not a problem for you," Walker told her.

But not every student felt as comfortable about the process, at least at first.

"It's my first time doing an interview," Charles Forsyth, 17, admitted before sitting with Joanne Brack, a North County science teacher.

Forsyth wants to study culinary arts after learning some cooking skills from his mother. His favorite dish to make is scalloped shrimp and potatoes.

Brack asked him what he would do if he encountered an irate customer in his restaurant.

"I'd tell him to calm down and speak slower so I could understand him," Forsyth replied. "I'd probably offer him a free meal if I were the manager."

Brack fired off several questions about what running a dinner service would be like in a restaurant and even created a scenario in which her steakhouse was looking for a prep cook.

She has no culinary experience, but came up with her questions on the fly after seeing his resume.

And talking to students with such diverse career interests was one of the best parts of the experience for Walker, a first-time interviewer. One student was interested in automobile repair, so Walker asked him how he'd go about repairing a scratched car.

Other interviewers said they couldn't imagine not volunteering.

"I wish I had someone who would have given me this feedback when I was younger," said Nancy Oberdalhoff, vice president and branch manager of M&T Bank in Glen Burnie.

Feedback for the students included reading up on culinary trends for Forsyth after he told Brack he reads mostly horror novels and US magazine.

The interviewers also have to give feedback to the students' English teachers about how each did in the process. And the students likewise will be offered the same opportunity, as well as earning a grade for participating.

Walker told Thomas Shai, a 17-year-old who wants to go to police academy after being inspired by relatives in law enforcement, to tailor his resume's objective to the job he is seeking. Walker also suggested that he be willing to talk about himself and ask questions of the interviewer to make the process seem more like a conversation.

"If anyone gives you the opportunity to talk about yourself, talk. I wouldn't ask if I didn't want to know," Walker said. "Always ask questions for the job. You're interviewing me as well."

While some students seemed relieved the experience was over, others said they relished it.

"I think it was fun. These things are fun," Shepard said. "These animated realities—it's why I like acting."