Students impress judges in college employment competition

Afsar MD Rakin (runner-up), David Perry (ESOL Programme Manager), Magdalena Sowinksa and Dovile Birbaliene

Students at Hopwood Hall College put their skills to the test in the college’s internal 'You’re Hired' competition

The students performed so well that it was decided on the day to award two first place winners.

Dovile Birbaliene from Heywood, and Magdalena Sowinksa from Rochdale, were given first place after impressing their interview panels with their professionalism, attitude, appearance and their responses to interview questions.

Dovile, who moved to the UK from Lithuania, said of her win: “Being a part of the competition has helped me because coming from a different country, language is a big barrier. Having the opportunity to practice my interview techniques in a safe environment at Hopwood Hall College has given me more confidence for when I have a real interview.

“To win is really nice too, the more comfortable and prepared I am for working in the UK the better.”

The competition was designed to simulate the pressure and experience of a real-life job interview and the processes involved in preparing for it.

A vital set of skills for students living in the Greater Manchester area with English as an additional language.  

Students applied for staged jobs on the college website, then spent weeks perfecting their interview techniques, personal presentation and practising the English language to best describe their specific skills and qualities.

After they had refined these skills, interview panels including the assistant principal, receptionists and tutors, grilled each of the 150+ students on their experience and skills.