How to Prepare for a Mock Interview

By Kylie Exline on November 14, 2016

As most of us are venturing off into the world of adulthood and bills, there are a few skills we should be taking with us. For instance, practicing proper etiquette, speaking articulately, and having respect for others. You know, the common things that our mothers would be proud of.

Something you should be taking advantage of at your college campus is the career center. Here they can assist you with resumes, papers, and applying for jobs and internships. Basically, they help you become a real adult.

They also offer you specific advice on mock interviews, which is vital to the hiring process. To find out how to prepare for such a thing, feel free to read below and take notes along the way.

Dress professionally & accordingly

For any interview, especially if in person or via a video service like Skype, you should most definitely have the proper attire. This means dressing professionally and formal even. So, this automatically eliminates shorts, tanks and sandals. Sorry guys. But in better news, it gives you an excuse to go shopping.

stocksnap.io

Now, it is imperative that you understand that first impressions mean a whole lot. Hopefully they will not be judging you on your looks, but rather your appearance in the sense of knowing how to be professional when the time permits. Blow them away with your bow-tie and blazer, peeps.

Since this is a mock interview, if you show up not fully prepared in the attire department, they should be able to share some advice and even have some extra professional clothes. The entire point is to use resources that are applicable to you. By being prepared in dress, it will offer that much more of a realistic experience for you. Plus, might be the perfect time to break in those uncomfortable and slightly ugly black shoes that are made for this purpose alone. Sorry.

Bring proper materials

Showing up to a mock interview is only half of the battle. You need to make certain you are on time, and being early is even better. You also need to come prepared with your resume, cover letter, and a notebook. This not only shows that you are ready and willing, but always expecting a change in direction of the interview or with the job in general. Adaptability and flexibility go a long way in this world.

You should bring with you a notebook for note taking, and anything else that you think may help get you hired. This in no way means to bring your juggling balls or favorite book, but rather an inspirational quote or nicest pen. The goal is to consistently stay comfortable throughout the process.

The career center may have a list detailing what you should bring with you, and if anything, now is your time to ask them about the specifics. Keep in mind, this is mock because it is not the real thing yet, but you should still treat it as such. So, put that phone of yours on silent and practice not using filler words such as “umm” and “like.” It says a lot about you.

Come with questions & answers

This is one of the most important things given it is the entire point of an interview in the first place. The goal is to be finding out why you are a good fit for the specific company and everything you have to offer to them. Be comfortable with your resume and rehearse proper responses to common questions. They will most likely be obvious ones, with some that you will just have to wing if anything. Just own it, guys.

The career center should have a list of questions, as well as answers that are permitted. You need to know what is acceptable as a response, especially depending on what field you are going into. Some of us are not the best public speakers, but we should always be willing to try and move forward with the interview if we get slightly anxious or distracted. Stay focused.

A vital part of any interview is usually near the end when they ask if you have any questions. Your answer should always be yes. This shows that you are prepared, but also as interested in them as they may be in you. This is huge and can go a long way in the hiring process. So, make certain that you have open-ended questions prepared for them.

When you have a mock interview, the main point is for you to have a sort of trial run so that you have an idea of what to expect when time for the real thing comes around. There are specific no-brainers that you must have in order to even be considered for future interviews, in my opinion.

You should definitely dress professionally, bring with you proper materials, and have questions and answers prepared. At the end of the day this is a mock interview, but you should be treating it as the real deal. Plus, you always want to be the best version of you.

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