On Thursday morning, Year 13 pupils at Queen’s College Sixth Form took part in a full programme of mock interviews. The morning helped them build confidence, develop employability skills and understand what real recruitment processes look like.

Support from Local Employers

Nine local employers joined us for the event. Representatives from Brown and Brown, Taunton Chamber of Commerce and Elite Staffing Solutions met with pupils and shared their experience. As a result, pupils gained clear insight into what interviewers look for and how to communicate with confidence in a professional environment.

The visiting professionals were very positive about the pupils. Taunton Chamber said they were “incredibly impressed with how they conducted themselves and their passion for their chosen subjects and career areas. The future is indeed in safe hands!”

Practical Interview Tasks

Alongside the mock interviews, pupils completed a group activity and psychometric testing. These tasks reflect the way many graduate schemes and apprenticeships assess candidates. Because of this, pupils learned more about teamwork, communication, leadership and problem solving in real contexts. They also began to understand how employers assess these skills.

Why Interview Skills Matter

Strong interview skills are invaluable for young people. When pupils can speak clearly, share their strengths and respond to challenging questions, they stand out. Experiences like this allow Year 13 to practise these skills in a safe and supportive setting. They also receive direct feedback from experienced professionals, which helps them prepare for university applications, apprenticeships and future employment.

Preparing Pupils for Life

Queen’s College is committed to preparing pupils for life. The Sixth Form programme offers many meaningful experiences that build confidence, ambition and a strong sense of purpose. This mock interview morning is one of several opportunities that help pupils leave Queen’s ready to thrive in the world beyond school.