Community members partner with Huntley High School students to host mock interviews

Huntley High School students from the district's Cooperative Education program recently participated in the annual mock interviews at the Huntley Unit District 158 office. Members of the community and district employees interviewed several students for four rounds of interviews.

Interviewers included representatives from McHenry County College; a recruiter from the Illinois National Guard; Algonquin Bank & Trust; Edward Jones, Eric J. Fernandez & Co.; About Your Home Inspection; and the Huntley Park District.

The mock interviews were also supported by Huntley Unit District 158 including Superintendent Dr. Scott Rowe and members of the board of education.

"It makes me feel a lot better about future interviews because I feel like I would be a lot less nervous now that I know what I would say and do," said junior Sydney Wenckaitis.

Board president Tony Quagliano, who regularly participates in the district's annual mock interview event, is confident these students will leave Huntley High School with an outstanding work ethic and drive for success.

"I've been doing this well over 10 years and I'm always amazed at how well all of the students do. They're all imminently hirable as-is and they're not even out of high school yet."

Students were able to experience multiple conversations with various interviewers to gain insight on different perspectives within interview scenarios.

According to Cooperative Education teacher Page Schaschwary, "We focus on the complete interview process including: dressing for success, the elevator speech, behavior-based interviewing techniques, body language, and how to send a thank-you letter. The students also prepare a resume, references, and an ePortfolio to bring to the interview."

"After each interview, I had more confidence in myself and I was definitely more passionate about what I was saying," said senior Mitchell Flanagan.

Cooperative Education is a senior elective at Huntley High School which offers students credit for both classwork in post high school life skills and for on-the-job training.

"This class has taught me all the skills and what I need to know going into an interview so that I am fully prepared and am ready for the interview," said senior Griffin Klusek.