Practice Makes Employed

Most high school seniors have been to job interviews before, but not quite like this.

The Menomonee Falls business community partnered with the high school to provide seniors with seminars on topics relevant to their near futures and mock job interviews this month.

“I’ve been on a couple of interviews but to be interviewed by someone in the field gives you a little bit more of a realistic feeling,” said Victoria Kading.

She wants to be a nurse and was interviewed by Gerilyn Yanke who has worked in health care.

“I think it’s wonderful,” Yanke said of the program. “It’s not easy when you’re in high school. The maturity maybe totally isn’t there as far as what to expect from an interview.

“At least they’ve had the practice.”

Bill Steinke said he learned how to best describe weaknesses, a common interview question.

“You can say what your weakness is and be honest but you can tell them what you’re going to do to fix that,” he said.

Exactly, said Steinke’s interviewer, Brent Ringlund of Herzing University.

“Don’t say anything that’s going to come across negative. Always portray yourself in a good light,” he said.

Holly Ordinans said she learned to dress so as not to stand out in the crowd.

“Look boring so they’re not focused on your clothes,” she said.

Her interviewer, Chelsey Povlick, a recruiter with Froedtert Health, said she interviews many high school students. She stresses firm handshakes and smiling throughout, and wishes she was better prepared herself years ago.

“I wish I would have had something like this in high school,” she said.

The day included breakout sessions on banking, social media, scholarships and credit cards, and a nationally known speaker, Ryan Porter, who drew praise from many students.

School-to-Work Coordinator Sandy Swanson said this is something she has wanted to do for years for seniors, “so that they know how to interview. So that they’re sure of themselves.”

They were sure of one thing. This was a worthwhile experience.