Wisconsin job openings
Wisconsin had 119,000 job openings in December 2025, with 0.8 unemployed people per opening, a sign of a tight labor market.
BLS, December 2025Confidence grows through practice and feedback.
Many people do not struggle in interviews because they lack potential. They struggle because they have not had the chance to rehearse, reflect, and receive supportive guidance.
Interview readiness matters because hiring is still human.
These public workforce and hiring data points support the RISE focus on assessment, preparation, communication, confidence, and partner-guided practice.
Interview performance is very important
SHRM reported that 79% of HR professionals said how a candidate comes across in a job interview is very important.
SHRM and HandshakeEmployers look for problem-solving
NACE found nearly 90% of employers seek evidence of problem-solving, nearly 80% seek teamwork, and more than two-thirds seek verbal communication.
NACE Job Outlook 2025Employers use skills assessments
SHRM found 56% of employers use pre-employment assessments, and 79% say assessment scores are as important as or more important than traditional criteria.
SHRM skills-based hiring researchWhy Practice Changes Outcomes
RISE is not built on guesswork. The model reflects what research repeatedly shows: people perform better when they have a chance to practice, receive feedback, build confidence, and prepare for real interview expectations.
Higher odds of employment
A meta-analysis of 47 job-search intervention studies found participants had 2.67 times higher odds of obtaining employment than comparison groups.
University of Florida summaryFelt better prepared
After mock interviews with professionals, 89.5% of respondents in a placement-interview pilot said they felt better prepared for the interview process.
Mock interview pilot studyFound feedback helpful
In the same pilot, every respondent who completed the first questionnaire agreed that feedback after the mock interview was helpful.
Mock interview pilot studyImpact will become measurable as the program grows.
Because RISE is currently forming, the site avoids overstating outcomes. As events and assessments grow, the RISE Workspace can support practical reporting around participation, partner activity, readiness follow-up, and completed interview-preparation sessions.