By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

ALABASTER–More than 56 business professionals representing a variety of businesses across Shelby County showed up at the Shelby County Instructional Services Center on May 3 to help special needs students in the Shelby County, Pelham and Alabaster School Districts participate in mock job interviews.

High school special-needs students across all Shelby County Schools filed into the auditorium wearing business-appropriate attire and came equipped with folders that included resumes and experience gathered throughout the school year.

Cindy Vinson, job coach for Shelby County Schools, said this is the 12^th year the special needs students have participated in the mock interview workshop and it’s more than just the do’s and don’ts of job interviewing.

“The business professionals that are here conduct interviews with the students as if they were real and then evaluate them on what they did correctly and things they might need to work on,” said Vinson. “The students bring a resume that includes things they’ve done throughout the year as well evaluation sheets, a list of sample interview questions and more. Those conducting the interviews will fill out their evaluation sheets listing things that were done excellent, good, or poor and at the end, we compile all of the students results.”

Students spent the morning rotating to different tables and rooms speaking with business professionals to gain real-world experience.

Two Thompson High School students reflected on their experience and what they got most out of the day.

“We got to see and meet new people and got to see what would happen in a real job interview,” said Rosa.

“We learned what you should say and what you shouldn’t say in an interview. I got a lot out of it,” added Mark.

After the mock interviews, students were treated to a catered lunch and then presented with certificates for their participation.

Other awards were given out at the end of the day that included interviewer of the day, presented to the student with the highest evaluation scores, best dressed and Mr. and Ms. Congeniality.