Interview skills videos for job seekers

13 November 2012

A series of videos providing guidance on interview skills for job seekers has been launched. Careers Jersey has been working with Freedom Media to produce the videos, and sponsorship has enabled them to be provided free of charge on the Careers Jersey YouTube channel.

There are four videos available:

1. 'how to’ and ‘how not to’ behave in an interview for an apprenticeship
2. guidance for university applicants facing interviews
3. how to approach a corporate panel interview for an experienced adult
4. local industry representatives offering tips on how to impress and what to avoid 

The Project Manager at Careers Jersey, Jenny O’Brien, explained the rationale behind the project “After searching for suitable videos to illustrate key interview skills, we found nothing that matched our needs. So we saw this as an opportunity to tailor-make a series of resources for people at various stages of their career.

“With the current employment market we have seen a sharp increase in Islanders of all ages looking for help preparing for interviews, many of whom haven’t been through the job application process for many years, if at all."

Helping islanders

Local property company, Le Masurier, provided sponsorship for the project as part of its J1 Skills and Training Initiative. Managing Director, Brian McCarthy, said “Our Skills and Training framework aims to provide a breadth of initiatives to support Jersey’s community, ranging from education, careers support and work placements to direct local employment.

"We are delighted to support this particular project, which we hope will benefit many islanders of all ages."

The videos feature a number of local employers as interviewers and well-known local stars of media and stage, including Channel Television and Channel 103FM presenter Jenny Mullin, and JADC performer and Bird College student Jonny Labey as interviewees.

The third interviewee, Alfie Balston, who demonstrates good and bad interview techniques when applying for university, has proven his knowledge of this subject, securing a place to study medicine at King’s College in London.

Investing in Jersey

Creative Director at Freedom Media, Hannah Shellswell, said “Our team has really enjoyed working on this project with Careers Jersey, which we have also part sponsored. The online videos are packed full of tips that will equip people to succeed at interview and help them achieve their aspirations.

"Investing in our Island community is at the heart of Freedom Media and we have enjoyed working on this project with other local companies who are committed to helping people to reach their potential.”

Next generation

The Education Liaison Manager at Careers Jersey, Jeremy Field, added “We work closely with careers teachers from all the Island’s secondary schools and colleges and have designed the videos to help the next generation of job seekers to communicate their skills and competencies effectively.

"We are very grateful to all the employers who have supported the production of these videos, which we hope will be the first of many that offer career and employment information in an engaging format.”