Importance of mock interviews in developing one’s career

While landing that dream job is every job seeker’s intention, a majority of candidates do not take time to prepare for interviews. Most job seekers do not bother to improve on their career development skills after graduating from school.

They normally hope to transit naturally from school to employment or from one career stage to another. Unfortunately, natural career progression remains but a myth, hence the need for mock interviews.

Such interviews are an emulation of the normal interviews but used for training purposes. They are practice interviews designed to resemble real interview. After each mock interview, the interviewee receives feedback regarding performance and areas that need improvement.

The most notable benefit of a mock interview is to demystify interviews. It eliminates anxiety and also reduces incidences of interview fever exhibited by some candidates. Another benefit of mock interview is eliminating obvious goofs in interviews.

Candidates learn the basic skills such as dressing for an interview, maintaining eye contact, terms and negotiations. The lack of such skills is unfortunately a major hindrance to good performance and career progression. Another benefit of mock interviews is boosting self-confidence. A good mock interviewer will help the interviewee to calm, relax or sit appropriately with good posture, to enable them tackle the interview successfully. They will help them understand the importance of keeping their certificates neatly and avoid the clumsiness normally exhibited by most of the job seekers today. Practice makes perfect and mock interviews can transform you from a novice to a star performer.

Job seekers should use mock interviews for self improvement and career development. Feedback given by the interviewer should be treated with the seriousness it deserves and corrective measures taken, just like they would prepare for a real interview.

This means they observe time, dress appropriately and also carry the CV, cover letter and documents. A note book would also come in handy at the mock interview to write down the feedback received from the interviewer.

An interviewee should seek to learn as much as possible from a mock interview. They should learn how to handle the traditional interview questions such as the infamous ‘tell me about yourself’ . This is a question that apparently throws most interviewees off guard to the discussion on personal strengths, and weaknesses among many other famous questions.

Interview questions touching on behavioural type of interviews should also be handled. A mock interview can be general or for a specific company or position.

Usually, sufficient time should be allowed to take care of the interview and feedback. It can be carried out by one interviewer on a one-on-one, panel, online, or even on phone. Individuals interested in mock interviews need not struggle so much in identifying a mock interviewer. Those in colleges can use their career centres. One can also use a friend or a colleague. A career coach, mentor and career counselors are excellent at conducting mock interviews.

When preparing for your next interview, consider a mock interview prior to the real interview. It will definitely add value in clinching that dream job.

-The writer is a Human Resource Specialist with Peoplelink Consultants Ltd. [email protected]