Press Release

Rotary helps with sixth formers interview techniques.

10 December 2006

Sixth formers fron St John the Baptist School,  Woking have been helped with mock interview evenings by members of the Rotary Club of Woking District..

For the last seven years an evening in October has been selected and Rotarians form a selection panel. The sixth formers prepare a background document on themselves and the panellists ask questions in order to simulate a University or job interview. The process is closely supervised by the school with strict timing of the interviews themselves and a further session for feedback. Feedback forms are also given to the students for them to take away and learn from.

The evenings have been extremely successful and grow each year in popularity. From the first year there were just six panels now there are over twenty. Panellists are also made up of Rotarians from the Woking Rotary club, governors, parents and other voluntary organisations.

Peter Kleyn, Past President and one of the Rotarians involved in the first year, said “We get some wonderful feedback from the students, from parents and from the school. As Rotarians we enjoy the evening knowing that the students have a much better chance of success at their interviews through real live practice.”

Miss Magill, head of St John the Baptist school, said “This is one of the best forms of preparation our students have for University. When they then proceed to their real interviews they feel confident having had positive and constructive feedback from the experience of members of the Rotary club of Woking District. Thanks so much for your help and long may it continue.”

In addition to helping with mock interviews Rotary Clubs run many programmes in support of developing young people including public speaking competitions, technology tournaments, Rotary Young Chef competition,  Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, and support for athletes and sports teams.