Real Industry Job Interviews (RIJI) Program

About Real Industry Job Interviews Program

The RIJI program is a career development program for students in Year 9 that works toward specific work-readiness skills including job search, resume and cover letter writing as well as practising an interview.

riji 2020

2022 RIJI Program

This year, we are hosting RIJI again in partnership with Banyule City Council and Nillumbik Shire Council.

We have two dates confirmed for the Program:

  • Thursday 13th October 2022 (Nillumbik schools)
  • Thursday 20th October 2022 (Banyule schools)

School Involvement

RIJI provides participating schools in the Banyule and Nillumbik regions with a curriculum-based schedule that can be delivered in class over eight weeks to support students to prepare for the practise interview day and help them with career development skills along the way.

Volunteer Involvement

Local industry and community volunteers provide their time as interviewers for the program. Most of the Volunteers commit a full day of support to the students in a life-like interview scenario including verbal and written feedback. Students receive this feedback to reflect and learn from their interview experience.

Student Involvement

Feedback from 40 participants in 2021 indicated an overwhelmingly positive response to the learning outcomes:

  • 95% of students strongly agreed that RIJI was a beneficial program for them
  • 95% agreed that they felt more confident to approach a job interview having completed the RIJI program

Seeking Industry and Community Volunteers

We are seeking volunteers to offer their time (either a full/half day at one or both events) and to interview students in a practise interview. Volunteers will be provided with the resume and job description for each student as well as some questions to help navigate the interview.

Here’s some feedback on the experience from 2021 volunteers:

On the value of the event for students:

‘Priceless. It is why I get involved.’

‘Extremely! The opportunity to give advice and feedback in a safe environment is valuable for these young people to go out and start their journey.’

On the process:

‘The backroom organisation was very good. No stones were left uncovered and I appreciated the sessions beforehand. It's a pleasure to be involved.’

Plans are already underway for RIJI 2022. If you’d like to consider being a part of this rewarding program, please email Emma Wood on Emma@bnllen.org.au.