Prepping for their future

They walked in dressed business-like and were armed with their resumes. A job fair for newly graduated college students? No, it was Hewlett High School’s second Interview Day of the school year held in the library on April 24.
Outgoing Business Department Chair Barbara Mattes McNiff (she will become the district’s executive director of Human Resources on July 1) began the program 15 years ago and it has become a staple of the Computer Technology and Careers class curriculum. “The kids were not comfortable at first, but now it has become a right of passage and the kids take it very seriously,.” McNiff said.
During class time, the students prepare their resumes and learn how to answer a specific list of interview questions such as What strengths or weaknesses could affect your performance? and “Why should I hire you instead of some other candidate? Difficult questions even for the most experienced job hunters.
Before the interviews days take place, McNiff and her team of interns, juniors Alexandra Gerber and Jamie Goldberg and sophomore Evelyn Gitsin, organize the events. They update a database of interviewers who come from a variety of industries, send out emails and schedule the interviewers. “There is a lot of paperwork and you need good communication as there are cancellations,” said Gerber, who not only helps coordinate the event but has been an interviewee three times. “I was nervous at first, but it has really helped me and it becomes a lot easier,” she said about being interviewed.
During the mock interview with a business professional (I interviewed students during the Nov. 21 event and last Thursday) about 10 minutes is spent with each student, including feedback on their presentation and resume. The professionals fill out an evaluation form which the students and teachers review.

Though not interviewed until April 24, Gitsin helped prep her twin brother Steven for his interview (I interviewed Evelyn). “This is helping us for later in life,” she said, referring both to her organizational duties and the education provided by Interview Day. “Talking to the [business professionals] we had to figure that out on our own.”
Typically the class is taken by sophomores. Senior Maayan Samuni (Yes, I interviewed her) said it was a good class to take and found preparing a work resume different from writing one for her college applications. “You have to be careful, you don’t want to make a spelling mistake or with alignment you can easily overlook,” said Samuni. “It’s easy to miss and it could cost you a job.”
Carlene Toron, whose sons Michael and David now run Minuteman Press in Hewlett, has been doing Interview Day for a dozen years. “I enjoy the kids,” she said. “I ask them name one positive thing that has helped you from this experience and I have never heard the same thing twice. They’re like my grandchildren; I see hope for them.”