Published: October 17, 2007 11:57 pm      

Practice makes perfect

Area businesses let students take stab at job hunting with mock interviews

SUMMIT — Sitting on a sectional couch on the Rent to Own sales floor on U.S. 60, James Hancock kept his eyes on assistant manager Ed Rogers, ignoring the din from the Grand Theft Auto game on the giant-screen TV across the store.

Fidgeting with his shoe, the visibly nervous 17-year-old answered without hesitation Rogers’ stream of job interview questions.

Hancock told Rogers he’s good at selling and figuring out problems with small appliances and said he could be a team player.

After the interview, Rogers critiqued Hancock’s performance, noting the fidgeting but complimenting his focused attention and his sharp answers.

It wasn’t a real job interview and Hancock has another year of school at Paul G. Blazer High before he’s ready to go out into the work world for keeps.

The practice interview was one of dozens conducted on Wednesday between cooperating area businesses and students from area local high schools.

Clients of Community Presence, which serves adults in the Carter County area, also participated.

The effort was coordinated by the local office of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services Commission for Children with Special Health Care Needs. The third Wednesday in October is designated National Disability Mentoring Day by the American Association of People with Disabilities, according to local coordinator LizEllen Snyder.

Bringing businesspeople together with the students fosters work skills and acceptance in the working community.

“This is giving them the skills they need — job-hunting skills,” Snyder said.

David Conley, for instance, came to the office with his mother, Melinda Copley. The 17-year-old Fairview student hopes to get a job one day at Wal-Mart.

He said he felt better after spending a day doing practice interviews and learning about applications and other job-hunting matters.

Seeing her son interact with the interviewers reassures her that he can cope with the process, Copley said. She’s worried about the interview but she’s certain David will be able to work at whatever job he’s hired to do.

“I think he’s able to work ... He loves people,” she said.

Rogers, the assistant manager at Rent to Own, said job interviews can be intense. Interviews can make or break a job opportunity, even for entry-level positions, he said.

Even a fast-food restaurant can be choosy, Rogers said.

Following his interview with Rogers, Hancock was grateful for the experience.

“It’s hard to get a job if you don’t know what to do or say,” he said.

MIKE JAMES can be reached at mjames@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2652.