CCHS students preparing for the future

Churchill County High School students discovered that interviewing for a job could be more competitive than any situation occurring for them in the classroom or on the playing field.

Fallon’s Western Nevada College and the Churchill County School District teamed up Friday to provide an invaluable service to students interested in working in the community, Aided by volunteers from local businesses, students participated in a round-robin exercise by spending about 10 minutes each at four different stations.

County commissioner and dairyman Peter Olsen said the students seemed to be a cut above the rest and were more confident with their answers. Some explained their answers, while others, said Olsen, gave more thoughtful answers.

Olsen, though, had some strong advice for the young men preparing to interview, though.

“Stay standing and shake hands,” he added. “Then wait for me to ask you to sit down.

Raylene Stiehl, Banner Churchill’s Emergency Department manager, said she is pleased to see the community helping high-school students refine their skills.

WNC Fallon Director Sherry Black couldn’t agree more.

“I am very pleased,” Black said after the morning event. “The kids were looking great and professional.”

Black said this is the second year students have been able to hone their interview skills. Black said she enlisted both volunteer interviewers and presenters. Once Black began to hear feedback, she said the employability fair is a must to be presented every year.

“Every student in the high school should have to do this,” Blacks said, adding any job skills practice is critical for students.

Brandon Martin, a senior, participated last year and said he improved his skills tremendously.

“From last year I corrected a lot of things,” he said. “I was fidgety, had too many ‘ums.’ This year I was calm, answered the questions during all interviews.”

Having practiced interviews is beneficial and twice in a row helps, Martin said, after he concluded a round-robin session. Martin said the toughest question was expanding on his strengths and weaknesses and the best question asked him to discuss the transition from school to life.

Martin’s teacher, Sara Camper, said those who participated last year wanted to come back and gain additional insight into the interview process.

“The mock interviews get a lot of feedback,” Camper added. “The adults gave constructive criticism. The students had nothing negative to say.”

Bianca said she learned how to be open and confident, stand — when requested — and shake hands.

“I had a lot of advice,” she said. “I feel better going through this.”

Hunter Doyle said it’s important to be ready when interviewing for a job.

“The hardest (part) is when I talk to people, I intend to be more reserved,” he said.