A mock interview is a great way to prepare for a job or internship interview. By practicing in a safe environment, you will gain confidence, improve your communication skills, and practice responding to questions.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up a successful mock interview:
- Find a Partner
- Ask a friend, family member, counselor, or mentor. Choose someone who will give honest feedback and guidance.
- Can’t find a partner? No problem. You can use AI to prepare!
- Research the Company and Position:
- Get familiar with the job responsibilities and learn about the company’s mission, values, and recent news.
- Prepare Questions and Answers:
- Practice answering common questions like “Tell me about yourself” and “Why are you interested in this position?” Also, be prepared to share examples of situations where you used a specific skill.
- The interviewer will ask if you have any questions. Prepare unique questions like, “What do you enjoy best about working for [Company]?” or “Tell me about the team I’d be working with.” The more memorable the questions, the better!
- Recreate a Realistic Interview Setting:
- Find a place where you won’t be interrupted and dress professionally.
- Conduct the Mock Interview:
- Encourage your partner to ask questions that require you to elaborate on your responses.
- Record the interview so you can listen to your answers and explore ways to improve on them.
- Be Open to Feedback
- Before you start, set expectations for feedback with your partner.
- Ask them how you can improve. Did you use filler words, like um or uh? (You can even ask AI this question!)
- While AI is helpful, an in-person partner can also create a more realistic interview scenario and offer feedback related to your verbal rather than written answers.
Finally, practice, practice, practice! The more you practice, the more confident you’ll be when it’s time for the real thing!