Food Lion hosts hiring event for HCS students

On February 3, 2023, The Academies of Hampton partnered with Food Lion to host a hiring event for students at Kecoughtan High School, Hampton High School, and Bethel High School. Food Lion is a business partner with the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism at Phoebus High School where they have built a pipeline for continuous employment for the students. The goal of the event was to prepare students for a successful interview and ultimately employment. Students prepared by using skills learned in their classroom such as completing an application, creating and updating their resume, dressing for success, and interviewing with a hiring manager.

The hiring event was an opportunity for students to represent themselves as prospective candidates for employment as they showcased their skills and talents during an in-person interview. Students interviewed for positions such as cashiers, stockers, produce, deli, and bakery associates. At the end of the event, students were given a survey to provide feedback on their experience. Overall, the feedback was very positive and the students gained valuable insight and an opportunity to obtain employment.

Nine students were hired on the spot for positions at various Food Lion locations. The event gave students the opportunity to gain confidence in their interviewing skills and walk away with constructive feedback and/or employment. The event was successful for both the students and the hiring managers. The Food Lion hiring event undoubtedly aligns with the Academies of Hampton’s goal of preparing students for success in a career, lifelong learning, and life.

“We had a very rewarding experience conducting job interviews at the local Hampton area high schools,” said Food Lion store manager Tasha Wright. “Partnering with the local school system has proven to be a great source of our future talent. We were able to make job offers immediately and conducted follow-up interviews for many others at the local Food Lion locations. We look forward to many more future events with Hampton area schools.”