English Career Resources

Key Stage 4: Understanding the Job Interview

(Career Education Guidance Objective 16)

When students at KS4 have identified a career path whether it is further education or the workplace; one of the first hurdles they face is the interview. However, few students will have experience of formal interviews. It was no surprise to find that most of the students involved in piloting these case study materials, consistently under-estimated the demands of the formal interview. So the ability to "understand the purpose of interviews and select and present personal information to make targeted applications" (CEG Framework, Objective 16, KS4) must be explored and developed if GCSE students are to prepared for formal interviews. In English, working through the demands of a formal interview can encompass speaking and listening, issues around language and power, language variety as well as media work.