Students should check with their home college career office to determine if mock interviewing is among the services they can offer. The Center for Career Services affords students the chance to simulate interviews. The following questions and answers will explain the Center's approach to this valuable service.

Q: Who is eligible? Who should use this service?

A: All students and alumni/ae who can visit the Center (235 Schine Center) may take advantage of the Mock Interviewing Program. Anyone anticipating an interview for an internship, co-op, summer job, or permanent position should consider using the service.

Q: When are practice sessions available? How long does a mock interview take? How can a mock interviewing session be scheduled?

A: Mock interviews are available year-round and require a one-hour commitment. They may be scheduled by visiting the Center or calling 443-3616.

Q: What preparation is recommended? What should be brought to the appointment? Is dressing up required?

A: Mock interviews are sometimes scheduled prematurely before a student is really ready. Attending a workshop, reading up on interviewing, viewing related videos, and even discussing interviewing strategies and expectations can help prepare people to succeed in simulated interviews. Once a mock interview is scheduled, students should bring a resume and should have a scenario in mind. This means casting a consultant in a role representing an employer looking to hire for certain positions. The more thought students invest in a scenario, the more prepared they will be to treat the experience as "the real thing." This can include research of a real employer to simulate what should occur in advance of any interview. Although dressing up helps simulate a real situation, it is not required for a mock interview.

Q: What options are available? What will actually happen?

A: Students have a choice between videotaping a simulation, or simply having the consultant take notes to use for feedback. Both are valuable. However, a video tape reveals non-verbal elements of the candidate's performance that can be important in an employer's evaluation. Students are welcome to bring a blank videotape to save the mock interview for review at home after suggestions have been offered for improvement. The hour is usually broken out into three parts: a short discussion of scenario and expectations, an actual simulation of 20-30 minutes, and time for review and constructive suggestions.

Q: Can mock interviews really help?

A: Without a doubt! Candidates must feel confident and in control whenever they meet an employer representative, either in a short "screening" interview or a lengthier "selection" interview. Without the feedback that a mock interview features, how can an interviewing beginner know how to evaluate his/her performance and take corrective action? Certainly, there is the "learn by experience" pathway, but too often mistakes are repeated because the candidate is ignorant of what constitutes a mistake!

Do your career a favor and use mock interviewing to help you succeed!