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Whirlpool Hosts Mock Interviews for Grads

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Whirlpool Corporation is doing its part to help assure that the workforce of tomorrow has every chance to succeed. The Benton Harbor-based appliance giant this week has hosted students from several Southwest Michigan High Schools in performing mock interviews to help those students sharpen their skills with direct feedback to keep them on their toes.

On Monday May 9th, 2016, 20 students from Benton Harbor, Hartford, and Dowagiac-Union High Schools participated in a half day of mock interviews with the help of 25 Whirlpool Corporation volunteers. The 6th Annual Mock Interview Day, a partnership between Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) and Whirlpool Corporation’s African American Network (WAAN), gave students a chance to demonstrate their interview chops while receiving feedback from Whirlpool employees.

The ongoing partnership between the two organizations is part of a long-term strategy to develop the youth talent pool in Southwest Michigan. Especially in light of the sheer volume of skilled positions that go unfilled, it is in every corporation's best interests to help prepare the talent of the future for the jobs they need to meet their goals. 

Whirlpool volunteers, many of whom participated as guest judges at previous Mock Interview Day collaborations, represented a variety of business units. Volunteers provided critical feedback and helped students develop self-improvement plans for future interviews. Of particular significance, volunteers highlighted entry-level opportunities within the company as well as career pathways for career growth.
 
Guest Speaker Keba Gordon, Senior Manager of Global Talent Development at Whirlpool, challenged students and volunteers alike to provide and seek constructive feedback in all they do. Mr. Gordon noted, “There is a relationship between really honest feedback and excellence.” He advised students to seek out both praise and feedback, complimenting them on their willingness to seek out the latter by attending mock interviews.     
 
Katelynn Dazell, JMG senior at Dowagiac Union High School expressed gratitude for the opportunity saying, “My interviewer said I spoke well and had good posture but I needed to provide more details in my answers and ask more questions at the end. I’m thankful for her feedback that will allow me to learn and grow.”

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Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates is committed to training a diverse workforce that is prepared to meet the needs of Michigan employers. With world headquarters in Southwest Michigan and a labor force exceeding 3,000 local employees, Whirlpool and WAAN, have been significant partners in this effort.  

Kristin Harrington, Executive Director of JMG, summarized the event and the larger partnership noting, “By participating in mock interviews with Whirlpool employees and spending the day at Whirlpool’s global headquarters, our students begin to envision themselves as future employees in the company. From our perspective – that’s a win-win.”
 
Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates is a state-based affiliate of the national Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program. The national program has been in operation for 36 years, including eight in Michigan. The program emphasizes high school graduation and successful transition into post-secondary education, employment or the military. 

This year, JMG served nearly 1,600 students across 25 Michigan cities with a 94-percent graduation rate. JMG’s parent organization is Kinexus, the Southwest Michigan-based non-profit providing integrated business, workforce, and community development solutions.

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