Tom Ferry, talent acquisition specialist for Optics1, a Bedford manufacturer of electro-optic and navigation systems, talks job interview strategies with students of the CRTC Computer Engineering program.
Tom Ferry, talent acquisition specialist for Optics1, a Bedford manufacturer of electro-optic and navigation systems, talks job interview strategies with students of the CRTC Computer Engineering program. Credit: CRTC—Courtesy photo

Students at the Concord got a sneak peek recently of what it’s going to be like to sit across the table from an interviewer who is trying to find out if they’re the right fit for a job.

Over 700 students participated in the CRTC’s annual two-day Job Interview Training Workshop on Nov. 22. The workshop was taught in Concord classrooms with the help of 33 volunteers in different career fields from the Human Resources Association of Greater Concord, who represented different fields that students study in the CRTC program. Because each volunteer works in their industry locally, students were able to do mock interviews with people they may someday encounter someday in a real interview.

“This kind of practical experience provides both relevant and valuable instruction as students have the opportunity to ask questions of and sit down for mock interviews with experienced professionals who come from the career fields these students hope to pursue after high school,” said CRTC Principal Anne Fowler.

The goal of the training is for students to learn the basics of the job interview process and the objectives of an interview. The training teaches students to compiling an inventory of their accomplishments, including the hard and soft skills that contribute to their individual “stories.” Students are able to learn and practice the technique of responding to job interview questions.

“Whether our graduating students are going on to post-secondary education, the military, or into the workforce, they need to be able to tell their story in a complete and compelling fashion,” Fowler said. “They also have to be aware that things like dress, eye contact, and verbal skills all contribute toward creating that all-important good first impression that recruiters and employers say is key to a successful job interview.”

This is the seventh year that the CRTC has held job interview workshops, which have taught 4,000 students over the years. The CRTC polls students after each year’s training, and has found that 96% of students tend to think job interviewing is a valuable skill to learn in high school.