What if your teachers hired a Recruiter with 20+ years of creative-tech industry experience to provide you with individual job interview practice and instant feedback?
I wanted something more meaningful for my students than generic interview tips or practice interviews with me. They needed the real deal and a fresh, informed perspective from someone able to give honest, constructive feedback. They needed an expert like Heather Zolis, who happened to have time when I approached her last year with this concept.
Even highly qualified applicants with strong portfolios and CV’s still struggle with interviewing well and conveying what they fully have to offer. It’s very difficult to improve your interview skills without practice or personalized feedback. Sadly, this is an area too often overlooked by schools, companies, and job seekers.
How often do you have the chance to ask the job interviewer what kind of impression you made or what you could have done better? Even if they are willing to answer all of your questions, few will have the time with interviews scheduled back-to-back.
Our idea shouldn’t be novel or unique. In discussing the idea with other professionals, the most common feedback we heard was: “That sounds really helpful! I wish I could’ve have that.”
Example 1:
One of our students was told she lacked experience working with a team. This led her to join a film project that involved her working on set. As a result, a perceived experience gap was filled and now she is better prepared for her next job interview.
Example 2:
Another one of our students who interviewed especially well was also the first one hired from his class. He said he felt much more confident going into the real interview because of the practice one and Heather’s feedback.
Example 3:
A third student was told his resume, cover letter, and demo reel were all very strong, but that he was unlikely to find employment in Canada due to his need for a work visa and current politics. That same student is currently working as a Compositor in Canada thanks to a very wise company recognizing his unique strengths and sponsoring his work visa.
Thank you to the brilliant Heather Zolis for believing in this interview practice + feedback idea, bringing it to life, and sharing so many career insights with our staff and students. We really appreciate you!
– Andrew Z.
