On the final day of last Half Term, whilst many were winding down, our Lower Sixth students were gearing up for their futures.
With the generous support of over thirty parents and Old Merchant Taylors’ (OMT) volunteers, students took part in Mastering Interviews and Assessment Centres, a dynamic, day-long event designed to prepare them for the realities of modern recruitment.
Whether applying for internships, apprenticeships, university places, or graduate roles, the day offered a comprehensive and practical insight into what lies ahead.
The event was structured as a carousel of activities, each simulating a different stage of the recruitment process:
- A keynote talk from two recruitment experts, offering an overview of corporate hiring trends.
Interview skills workshops, where students worked in small groups with parents and OMTs used to recruiting early years talent to refine their technique and build confidence. - Recorded video interviews, using an industry-standard platform to simulate real-world practice.
- Assessment centre-style group tasks, observed by parent and OMT volunteers who provided feedback on collaboration and communication.
- An individual ‘in-tray’ exercise, testing prioritisation and decision-making under pressure.
- Exploration of gamified assessments, giving students a taste of the digital tools used by today’s employers.
The feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the value of learning directly from professionals:
“Getting interview advice from parents who have experience was able to help me perform under pressure.”
“The interview skills workshop where we were taught important skills personally in groups of two or three was extremely useful for me because I could connect with the professional and understand how a future interviewer might think.”
“The group activity was very engaging.”
We are incredibly grateful to the parents and OMTs who made this event possible. Their time, insight, and encouragement helped ensure that our students are not only university-ready, but becoming Future-ready!
If you would like to support our Careers programme in any way, please use the link below to get in touch (without obligation), and we will add you to our community of helpers.
Sue Grice
Head of Careers
