Barclays Bank has been conducting mock interviews for students of the University College Isle of Man (UCM) to help prepare them for the world of work.

Sixteen senior managers from Barclays held mock interviews for the students to help them experience what a real-life job interview would be like.

Prior to the interviews the students received a job role profile as a banking officer within the personal and corporate banking team.

Held at Barclays’ office, within a formal interview setting, the participants were asked to talk through their CVs, which they had pre-submitted, and asked a selection of questions, including competency based ones, as to why they would be the right person for the role.

Feedback was then provided based on their answers, quality of CVs, body language and on areas where they could look to develop.

The interviews were a part of Barclays’ LifeSkills programme which helps students to learn key skills needed for the workplace.

LifeSkills is made up of a variety of modules including improving self-confidence, developing digitals skills and building a strong CV, all of which Barclays has delivered to a number of Isle of Man schools.

Head of business banking and captives at Barclays in the Isle of Man, Gareth Rowlands, said: "Barclays is committed to developing the skills that young people require for the 21st century workplace and LifeSkills equips them with the confidence needed in an interview situation.

"Getting the students to come into our office and be interviewed by our experienced senior managers added realism to these interviews.

This gave the students an opportunity to familiarise themselves with truthful interview setting and help them to prepare effectively for the real situation in the future.

"The students who took part learnt a lot from the sessions and with the help of our online virtual interview practice tool they can practice their technique in their own time."

The LifeSkills website also offers a range of free curriculum-linked resources for teachers to use in the classroom, as well as interactive content for students and parents.

These include lesson plans, a CV builder tool and practice online assessments that employers use to assess judgement skills and personality type.

LifeSkills, created with Barclays, is a major initiative designed to give young people aged 11-24 access to the advice, support and opportunities the need to develop the skills employers seek in new recruits.

Students, teachers and parents can find out further information and access LifeSkills resources at https://www.barclayslifeskills.com/