Maria was invited to speak to 240 year 10 students at Lytchett Minster School as part of their PSHE lesson where they are learning about best practice techniques for making good first impressions during the interview process.
Maria firstly engaged the students with a lighthearted questionnaire which showed how we all make subconscious assumptions about people we meet before we even get to know them, emphasising how important it was to make sure that first impression was a positive one.
Maria then highlighted some of the most basic yet undoubtedly important aspects of the interview process; from producing a good CV which alone will help you get your foot in the door to the company; turning up to an interview smartly dressed; thinking of extra curricular achievements to impress your potential employer (100% school attendance is something to be proud of if you cant think of anything else!) and making sure you have done your research and found out as much as you can about the company before you turn up for interview.
Headmaster, Andrew Mead, brought humour to the lesson when 6th form performing arts students took on the roles of different interviewees; from a distracted and lacklustre interviewee who couldn’t even answer what her strengths were; a ‘cocky’ over confident interviewee who answered his phone during the interview, and an initially impressive interviewee who, upon looking closer, had lied on his application as was highlighted by his references. Finally, an ideal candidate showed up, smartly dressed, polite, confident, and showing great interest in the company.
Maria Seabright, commented: “I think it’s incredibly important for local employers, like Greendale, to take the time to come along and give students advice and the benefit of their own experience. These young people are our employees, and employers of the future and we can’t expect them to go into the world of work with little or no help. They need us to help them gain confidence as they go forward in their lives and careers. Local companies should see this is an ideal opportunity to put something back into the community, by helping our local schools and colleges in this way.”
Lytchett Minster School holds regular lectures which are free and open to the wider community. The next lecture on Tuesday 6th December is by Tim Cruse-Drew; the physiotherapist responsible for helping Eddie Izzard run 27 marathons on 27 days. More information and tickets are available on the school website here .