The very real benefits of the mock interview
A mock interview, although not strictly “real,” is a very real investment in your future. You may be putting loads of effort into the research part of your job search, or into your resume, but have you spent the necessary time prepping your interview skills? They are a huge — disproportionate, even — influencer in real-world hiring.
Katharine Hansen, Ph.D., blogged about this in her post “Best Bet for Interview Prep: Rehearsed, Mock, and Videotaped Interviews.”
Perhaps you’re a new entrant into the job market who is lacking experience in job interviewing. Or perhaps you’re a job-market veteran whose resumes and cover letters yield loads of interviews — but you never seem to get the job offer. While these two groups may have the greatest need to polish interview skills, anyone actively interviewing for jobs can benefit from practicing interview skills. A study by the Society of Human Resources Management proved this point when it revealed that a candidate’s background and qualifications were far less influential in their hiring decisions than interview performance and professionalism.
What this means is, a good resume will get you in the door. But a good interview will get you on the payroll. Some of the main advantages of the mock interview are:
- It will reduce interview anxiety by familiarizing you with the situation.
- It will boost your confidence about the things you are doing well.
- It will allow you to preview any interviewing weaknesses you have.
- It gives you the opportunity to receive constructive feedback from an interviewing professional.
There are a number of reasons why a jobseeker might hesitate to arrange for a mock interview, as outlined in the blog post “Top 8 Reasons to Schedule a Mock Interview.” Applicants may deny that they need help, or fail to appreciate how much practice can improve their polish. Many people are afraid to practice with a partner because they have a fear of public speaking! Unfortunately, they are the very people who would be most likely to benefit from practicing their interview skills.
College students, take note: free mock interviews are commonly offered through university career services. Take advantage of them! A job-seeking graduate of SUNY Cortland recently blogged about “The Benefits of a Mock Interview.” In her experience, the three hands-on benefits of the mock interview were:
She was able to simulate the new-to-her experience of a real interview.
She gained confidence from the constructive feedback her interviewer gave.
Her interview was recorded, so she reviewed it later and gained objectivity over her performance.
At RiseSmart, we believe so strongly in the value of mock interviews that we offer them regularly as part of our standard outplacement package for displaced employees. Our mock interviews are one-on-one with a career counselor, full of feedback and personalized support, and recorded so jobseekers can review their own performance. This is just one small part of the help we offer through our Transition Concierge service for displaced workers.
If you are currently job hunting, we recommend you find out the power of the mock interview for yourself. Simply ask a friend, a peer, or a human resources professional you know to help you practice at home for the best interview of your career.
Article by, Sarah and courtesy of RiseSmart.com – RiseSmart: Search Smarter. Rise Faster.
