Getting a job isn’t easy

Nervously excited and ready for the challenge

I have distinct memories as a 14 year old student heading out to Beresford's Ribbons for a mock interview. Trust me when I say, it was quite a while ago yet the memory remains vivid. Full of nervous excitement, confident that I’d done as much research as I possibly could, ready to answer anything they threw at me.

I’m the kind gal who loves to step up to a challenge, which is why this was right up my street. Did I get offered the pseudo job? Nope. I was left with the feedback ‘we think you’d be perfect for a career in television’. Well, they weren’t too far off I suppose.

Being #reelkind is a good thing

Anyway, the point of this blog isn’t about my childhood memories, it’s about opportunity. It’s about giving kids the chance to step into the ‘real’ world for a moment to build up their skills and confidence ready for when they’re going to need it.

Jill Sadat-Shafai, Work Placement Coordinator at Congleton High School reached out to me recently, asking if I’d be willing and able to take part in a careers day she was organising for her year ten cohort of students. Obviously this triggered memories of my own experience, which many many years later I now realise was an invaluable lesson in interview skills.  

I’m always keen to do what I can to give back. So in the spirit of being #reelkind, I agreed.

Confidence doesn’t come easy to everyone

It was a fantastically well organised event. I was eternally grateful for just how well organised it all was, having arrived in a bit of a post-school-run fluster. After straightening up my hair, settling down in my booth and reading through my pseudo business and the associated CV’s. I was ready.

Now it’s not that I’m a soft touch or anything, but I was really rooting for all of these kids. I didn’t want to be an overbearing, frighteningly formal interviewer who gets their kicks out of making their applicants quiver in their seat. Instead, I remained inquisitive and well read on each and every student who was brave enough to take part in the occasion. 

And after each student showed up and did their best, I shook their hand, gave them constructive feedback and thanked them for taking the time and making the effort to show up that morning.

Privileged to be able to help out

It was a thoroughly fantastic experience. A few hours of my time that morning made a difference. Not only to those students who’d clearly worked incredibly hard to really push themselves, but to me as a small business owner as well. 

I was one of a group of approximately 20 business owners and leaders who’d taken the time to give back to this school. And together we felt proud as every student walked in, sat down and gave this experience their all.

A little can go a long way

As I returned to the studio that afternoon I was reminded that there really are many great people out there in business who want to do good and give back to their community. And I was honoured to have been a part of this experience. 

I sincerely believe that the work Jill is doing for those students at Congleton High School can be life changing. If you’re reading this and would like to find out how you could get involved next time then please drop me a line and I’ll put you in touch with Jill personally.