More than 150 Chicopee Comprehensive High School students were interviewed by managers of a variety of area businesses this month. Watch video
CHICOPEE - Michael Thomas has been searching for a job for some time, but felt directionless after filling out application-after-application online.
But this week Thomas had a chance to talk to employers in person and find out more about their hiring process, as managers of a variety of different businesses came to Chicopee Comprehensive High School to conduct mock interviews with students.
"They told me to try to be yourself and be honest with people who you work with," Thomas said.
On Thursday a multi-week lesson on preparing for the work force culminated with more than 150 students having a chance to interview with managers of about 25 different businesses who volunteered their time to help the school, said Kara Blanchard, community-student workforce developer for the schools.
The process will be repeated in May for students at Chicopee High School, she said.
The project started in students' English classes, where they learned to write a cover letter and resume, fill out an application and discussed the importance of having the so-called soft skills that make a good employee such as showing up on time, following instructions and being polite to customers, she said.
In a few cases companies interviewed students at the school for an actual position. Others took students' resumes and asked them to file applications.
Most students dressed up for the interviews and had a chance to interview in a group as well as one-on-one. They received verbal feedback and written feedback so they could learn from mistakes and better prepare for a real interview, Blanchard said.
"I was surprised to see how confident the students were," said Dan Bergeron, the general manager of the new Chipotle Restaurant opening in Holyoke. He was joined by Jose Puello, the general manager of the Chicopee restaurant. "The only thing I would say is what could have improved was the content of their answers."
Chipotle, which is expected to expand into several other towns soon, is constantly interviewing for employees, he said.
Mim Zayas, director of talent acquisition for United Personnel, a staffing agency in Springfield, interviewed Zachary Riopelle, 17.
Riopelle said he already works at Chic-Fil-A in Chicopee but said he still found the mock interviews helpful.
"I really enjoyed the experience," he said. "It was a good conversation."
Zayas also reviewed Riopelle's resume and made a few recommendations, including adding his hire date and information that he is currently working at Chic-Fil-A. She also gave him a few basic tips such as to turn off his cell phone during interviews.
"I think it is great to be doing this in high school," she said.
Dottie Mitchell, assistant manager at Panera Bread, in Chicopee, said her business is hiring right now so she was able to put aside some resumes from students who are interested in a job. She also told them to fill out an application online.
"I will be able to put a name with a face when they do apply," she said.
Mitchell said she conducted six mock interviews, including one girl who was exceptionally nervous and said she was worried no one would want to hire her because she had never held a job.
"I told her that that is sometimes the kind of person we want to have. When you work at another business you can develop bad habits and we get to teach you the good habits," she said.
This year the Valley Opportunity Council is expected to receive a state grant that will allow them to hire 92 low-income students for summer jobs. M.C. Silver, youth coordinator, interviewed students and also talked to them about applying for the programs through her organization if they are eligible.
"I did a lot of prompting to draw out answers from students," she said.
One of her techniques, especially in the group interviews, was to point out the types of answers business managers want to hear. That way she could give students confidence while still showing them the best way to interview.
"I think this is great. Where was this when I was looking for a job the first time," she said.
Carolyn Porter, Parks and Recreation superintendent, said she will hire about 80 students this summer for a variety of jobs in parks, at Opee Day program and other places. She handed out some applications for potential employees as well as conducting mock interviews.
"I found the students were very good. They were very prepared," she said. "What impressed me the most was the number of (business) people willing to participate in this."