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On Friday, THINC College and Career Academy held its eighth annual THINC Fast Professional Interview Day at West Georgia Technical College. 

The event allows students to participate in mock interviews with local businesses and community leaders. Students spend six minutes with each interviewer before moving on to the next, speed-dating style.

Event coordinator Dr. April Armstead said THINC Fast allows students an opportunity to meet local business professionals and prepare for when they go on real interviews.

Two sessions of mock interviews were held throughout the day, with 49 business partners in the morning session and 45 signed up for the afternoon session. Over 500 THINC students will participate in the event. Each student will do at least two interviews, so that’s over 1000 interviews throughout the day.

The students are also incentivized to do well in the process. The interviewers were given gift certificates to hand out to particularly prepared interviewees.

“The industry partners are looking for soft skills. They’re looking for responsiveness to interview questions. They’re looking to make sure they’re dressed interview-appropriate,”  Armstead said.

“It’s really just to help build their confidence, and they’re offered feedback as well,” she said.

 Though no one is likely to be offering the high school students a job after the mock interviews, the kids can learn from the experience and gain some confidence for when they ultimately do the real thing.

THINC student Caleb Johanningmeier interviewed with Synovus. He said it was an enjoyable experience and very informative.

“I learned what job opportunities are available and the questions to prepare for on an interview,” Johanningmeier said.

Armstead said the response has been positive from industry partners as well.

“Our business and industry partners tell us that our students are prepared, they’re responsive, they’re positive, they’re really bright, so we just want to continue to make it better every year for our students,” Armstead said.