MONTICELLO, NY — Monticello High School students enrolled in the NAF Academy of Finance (AOF) program are ready to enter the workforce thanks to a two-day mock interview workshop conducted by Jane Sorensen, AOF Advisory Board vice chairperson. 

The informative workshop, held in the late spring, began with an interactive activity led by Sorensen. She asked students to break into groups to brainstorm what they thought a mock interview was and how to prepare for one.

After each group shared their thoughts, she gave students a handout with information on mock interviewing, plus helpful tips and common interview questions.

Then Sorensen tasked students with researching the organization she works for, Every Person Influences Children (EPIC). Students had to search EPIC’s website for its mission statement, vision, values and annual report. The goal was for students to understand the value of research in the interview process and how it can help build confidence and readiness skills. 

At the end of the first day, students were shown two videos—how to dress for an interview and what a professional interview experience looks like.

For the next session, Sorensen returned to the high school and asked students to research several large organizations—including Google, Apple, Morgan Stanley and IBM—to find the businesses’ mission statements, values, profit margins and annual reports.

The purpose was not only for students to apply what they learned, but to help them understand the value of preparedness. Researching an organization prior to an interview enables students to be equipped with facts and data about the company, thus showing confidence in themselves, ambition in wanting the job, and the ability to answer challenging questions. 

The two-day workshop culminated with students participating in a mock interview for the organizations they researched previously. Working in teams of two, students were assigned the role of “job candidate” or “interviewer.” They responded to questions carefully and strategically, utilizing their newfound knowledge and the mock interview handout from day one. Students then switched roles to ensure everyone had the opportunity to be interviewed. 

“The AOF mock interviewing workshops truly prepare students for the future,” said Sorensen. “I’m glad I designed these workshops to help the AOF students gain the skill set of learning how to go on an interview and to be confident in themselves.”

“I enjoyed the mock interview process on day two with a partner because it provided me with confidence to interview for an actual job,” said Lyndsey Kaplan, a NAF AOF student. “I found it interesting to see and understand the amount of proactivity and planning that should commence before entering the physical interview. I am grateful for the workshop and the information from it, which will help me to obtain future positions.”

Contributed by the Monticello Central School District.