Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of job-interview training on the employability of traditional and continuation high school students. Procedures. The sample consisted of forty students from traditional high schools and forty students from continuation high schools. Within each high school category, there was an experimental and a control group of twenty students each. Prior to any effective job-interviewing skills training taking place with either of the two experimental groups, a Delphi technique was initiated. Thirty-five companies were sampled before arriving at the final list of ten variables the companies felt were critical for a successful job interview. The appropriate application of these variables was then taught to both experimental groups. At the conclusion of training, simulated job interviews took place with all eighty high school students. These students were then rated by interviewers on their employability and retention of the training. Findings. (1) Training in effective job-interviewing skills made a significant difference in the employability of both traditional and continuation high school students. (2) Of the students who were given training, traditional high school students were rated significantly more employable than those from continuation high schools. (3) In the absence of training, traditional high school students rated significantly higher in employability than continuation high school students. (4) Of the students receiving training, traditional high school students received significantly higher mean interviewing skills ratings. (5) Continuation high school students who received training were rated higher in employability than were traditional high school students who did not receive the training. Conclusions. (1) Specific training in job-interviewing skills is an effective means to increase the employability of both traditional and continuation high school students. (2) To be competitive with traditional high school students, continuation high school students must be prepared in specific job-interviewing skills.