Jisc Change Agents' Network Conference 2024

The session will look at a traditional job application and what skills students need for the process. The workshop will highlight the potential differences we face when looking at a traditional job application and interview process with the idea of “authentic assessment” and what is needed in the world of employment.  

The session aims to highlight that the traditional interview process (including the idea of a nominal task as part of the process), can at times, focus on exam like recall of examples under pressure. The session will ask the question “Is the best person at answering the question actually the best person for the role”? 

The session will explore this by investigating the assessment and selection of candidates in interviews, asking whether these processes or criteria are fit for purpose and how they might be better designed to represent candidates’ skills and dedication (and what we can do in HE to work with employers to make this a reality).  

With the focus on “authentic assessment” that aims to help students to develop a wider understanding of, and skillset for employment is the final part of the process still fit for purpose? 

Through the participation of the student representatives, we hope to explore what they consider useful employability skills within their course. 

The workshop will ask the participants to reflect at the skills that are needed for the interview process and consider the idea that traditional processes challenge applicants to demonstrate a limited skill set.  

The activities in the session will be: 

1. to look at an example job application, consider what as a traditional interview panel they would look for in the applicants and what questions might they ask.  

2. to re-imagine the process and what would they get applicants to do to demonstrate skills?