Interviewing for a job can be tough, and no one understands the importance of successful interviewing skills more than SGA New Student Relations Committee and UT Career Services.
The two organizations presented an interview workshop Tuesday afternoon for any student wishing to enhance their interviewing skills.
The workshop, which was open to all UT students, was divided into two parts. The first half of the workshop addressed general interviewing skills and how students can prepare for various types of interviews. Afterwards, student-peer career advisers led mock interviews with attending students and provided them with feedback about their interview preparedness.
“I think it’s a great way to find out ways to successfully interview,” Elizabeth Pallardy, overseer of the peer career adviser program, said. “It will help students better prepare themselves for many types of interviews in the future.”
The workshop was also led by student-peer career advisers who are trained in providing resume critiques, conducting mock interviews, leading workshops and presenting career-based information to students.
“We haven’t done this in a couple of years, but last time we had a decent turnout,” Pallardy said. “This year we wanted to make sure it would happen. It’d be great if it’s something we could do every semester because student organizations on campus interview at different times throughout the year.”
UT Career Services helps students year-round with resumes, interviewing and other areas that are important to being successful in the professional world. This year, Career Services has partnered with SGA New Student Relations Committee which, along with other student services committees, continually plans events that can benefit students both socially and academically.
“This specific interview workshop that we are conducting is geared especially towards students who are interested in applying for a student organization,” Rachel Dix, co-director of SGA New Student Relations, said. “I think that most students assume they know what to say during an interview once the time comes and that they will be fine ‘winging it.’ However, even those who have experienced interviews before can always learn more and will benefit from practicing their skills.”
Dix also believes that workshop participants will feel more comfortable at the event because it is led by fellow students.
The peer career advisers who presented at the workshop had been selected through an interview process and have been trained by Career Services to work with students and address any questions or concerns they may have.
“Working on a peer-to-peer basis is designed to help students feel comfortable, relaxed and more open to free discussion,” Dix said. “Plus, who better to talk to about career concerns than someone who is close in age and has most likely experienced the same concerns as well?”
SGA and Career Services urges students to attend future workshops, and hopes they can continue the event in the future, as they believe that the experience will be very beneficial to students.
“Interviews can always improve,” Pallardy said. “There are many positions out there for students, and in the long run, this will help them get those jobs.”
Dix also added that many of the students who presented at the workshop are involved in various organizations around campus and can provide knowledgeable advice on how to interview for them.
Both Career Services and SGA Student Services — to whom SGA New Student Relations reports — aim to teach students more about professionalism and prepare them for a life outside of college.
