By Keira – Year 12 Student, Waingels College
On Friday, March 25, Year 11 and 12 students were given the incredible opportunity to prepare and partake in a mock interview process, teaming up with 45 Microsoft employees, giving us a valuable and practical day in preparation for future interviews.
This was originally due to take place in February but was rearranged due to Storm Eunice, and us Year 12s were invited to take part this year due to Covid restrictions last year.
The process included writing and creating our own CV and covering letter for a job of our choice, as well as the task of dressing in the appropriate attire for the occasion.
The day brought value to all of us involved with many gaining real understanding into the world beyond school.
From a Year 12s point of view, it was really insightful to gain interview experience as quite a few of us have already participated in interviews for part-time job roles, however the Microsoft questions seemed more in-depth as they were concentrating on our futures as well as our life goals and interests.
I found it incredibly rewarding to go through the preparation beforehand and then be invited to interview, having being asked questions based on what I wrote in my CV and someone showing interest in my transferrable skills/ hobbies and interests.
We were given insightful feedback not only from our interview skills but also on our written applications, this is particularly important as without a good CV/ covering letter we wouldn’t even get an interview in real life.
The Microsoft team were incredibly positive about the experience and loved meeting the two year groups. They were grateful for the opportunity to meet some potential Microsoft stars of the future and wished us all well for the future no matter which education or career path we may choose to take.
In addition, 19 Year 11 and 13 Year 12 students were given particularly high praise for how they conducted themselves in the interview process and walked away with awards from the day in a final assembly period 5.
It was great to see such a leader in technology and loved brand globally taking the time to invest in the talent pool of tomorrow. Many thanks to Microsoft and we hope you will be back again next year.
Thank you also to Ms Rowley for organising the whole day, not only did she have to organise the February booking but also re-arrange it all again for March.
On behalf of the two year groups, we are very grateful to her as, without her, the day could not have gone ahead.
