Graduate returns to University to coach on interview techniques

‌‌A graduate of the University of Wolverhampton has returned to campus with her business to coach final year BA (Hons) Video and Film Production students on job application and interview techniques.

Claire B Jenkins runs One to One Interview Coaching, and held an interactive workshop for the students who are all working towards the University’s Enterprise and Employability Award by preparing portfolios and career action plans ahead of graduation.

Claire said: “The session with the students went really well and I’ll be continuing to help final year University of Wolverhampton students into the New Year by chairing mock interview panels.

“For most of the students, it’s the first time they’ll have faced a job interview panel or even an interview of any kind. Being able to do it in a safe environment they’re familiar with is vital preparation for the real world after they graduate. Having been through a panel interview experience once – surely the most testing part of the job hunting process – the next time they face something similar, it should feel easier and that they’re better equipped to perform at their best.

“The students are interviewed in the University’s own TV studio facilities and each of them gets a copy of their footage of how they perform at a job interview.”

Claire graduated from the University in 1984 with a BA in Leisure & Recreational Studies. She started One to One Interview Coaching in 2011, when she realised there was a demand for specialist interview skills from many different audiences; Tracy McCoy, Head of Department of Film, Media and Broadcasting, Faculty of Arts, University of Wolverhampton, was a catalyst for Claire’s business launch after a conversation about wanting final year students to be better prepared for the world of work.

Tracy said: “The students were very engaged with Claire’s interactive workshop. The interview techniques she went through, and sound advice on interpreting job descriptions and person specifications, will be of great benefit to them.

“At the University of Wolverhampton we strive to prepare our students for the world of work; getting your foot through the door with your job applications and securing interviews is the first step, so developing skills in these areas is very important.”  

For more information on courses within the School of Media at the University of Wolverhampton, please visit www.wlv.ac.uk/arts

For more information on One to One Interview Coaching, please visit www.121interviewcoaching.co.uk

ENDS

For more information please contact Claire Tallentire in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736, email: C.Tallentire@wlv.ac.uk

Date Issued: 22 December 2015

Notes to editors

About the University of Wolverhampton

• Based at campuses in Wolverhampton, Walsall and Telford and education centres in Stafford, Burton and Birmingham City Centre, the University has over 21,000 students and 2,400 staff. In addition, the University of Wolverhampton Science Park is home to tenant businesses and supports the development of innovative companies.
• The University welcomes students from around the world and has regional offices in China, Malaysia, India, Oman, Nigeria and Cyprus. It has a branch campus in Mauritius and courses are also delivered with global partners in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, Russia, France and Cyprus.
• It is investing £250 million over the next five years as part of the Our Vision, Your Opportunity programme. The ambitious plans to invest in education, training and economic growth include the £25 million Rosalind Franklin Science Building, the new £18 million Lord Swraj Paul business school building and the £65 million Springfield Campus, creating an international hub for construction excellence.
• The institution’s excellent teaching and learning provision, which spans sciences, creative and performing arts, education, business and management, health and wellbeing, engineering and technology, law and social sciences, ensures 95% of graduates find employment.
• Of the 13 subject areas entered in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) in 2014, all had elements graded at the highest level as being world class. The University also entered more staff and more subject areas for assessment than previously.
• In 2015 the University of Wolverhampton was awarded the highest possible accolade in the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) higher education review. The report highlighted areas of good practice such as initiatives to raise aspirations and achievement for students and the University’s commitment to enhancing their employment prospects.