More than 50 people gathered to interview about 500 job applicants Nov. 6 -- even though there were no real jobs available.

They interviewed seniors at Perry Hall High School as if the students were seeking an important approval.

In real life, the students may soon have a vital interview -- for a job or for college admission.

The event "helps students as they transition from high school," said Ryan Imbriale, an assistant principal who coordinated the event.

All the approximately 500 members of the senior class took part in the activity, held in the school gym. The visitors met the seniors over dozens of school desks spread out across the gym.

The school's English teachers began the process by having students prepare resumes, which were presented to the interviewers. Following the interviews, the volunteers commented on the resumes and rated the students on several factors, including appearance, attitude and providing clear answers.

For many of the volunteers, some of whom actually hire new grads, the experience was more fun than they expected.

"I ask people questions all day as an insurance agent. So, this was a natural fit for me," said Cindy Horn of Perry Hall.

Horn was one of the interviewers who are alumni of the school, and learned about the project from the new alumni association.

"I was so impressed with the focus and maturity of these kids," said Mumtaz Kammerer, a clinical manager of three locations for the Wilmer Eye Insitutute of Johns Hopkins Medicine.

State Sen. Kathy Klausmeier made time to interview students just two days after working long hours at the polls on Election Day.

Students with an expressed interest in governmental careers were steered to her, she noted.

"These kids are so smart, they blow me away," Klausmeier said.

Pat Highcove, a rehabilitation counselor and mother of a daughter in the senior class, said she asked her interviewees how they would improve the school.

"About 85 percent of them said 'Make the hallways wider,' " Highcove said.

The school's enrollment has been over its state-rated capacity for years.

Both she and Imbriale noted that students do not find the classrooms crowded, just the halls.

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