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Making Mock Interviews Work For You
Mock interviews are frequently recommended by career coaches but in my experience what makes them effective is how you approach them. Having conducted countless mock interviews and real interviews, I've observed patterns that separate those who benefit immensely from those who just go through the motions.
Why most mock interviews fail
Most people approach mock interviews as a checkbox exercise. They find someone willing to ask them questions, give somewhat rehearsed answers, get generic feedback like "that was good" and move on. This is a missed opportunity to gain real insights and make meaningful improvements.
A framework for effective mock interviews
Instead of treating mock interviews as practice sessions, think of them as experiments where you're trying to discover your blind spots and overcome them. Here's how I approach it:
Preparation with purpose
Start by identifying specific areas you want to focus on. Are you working on being more concise? Do you need help with technical explanations? Are you trying to better showcase your leadership experience? Having this focus helps both you and your mock interviewer give targeted attention to what matters most.
The right partner matters
Your mock interviewer should be someone who can give you honest, direct feedback. While friends are convenient, they often hesitate to point out areas of improvement. I've found the best mock interviewers are:
- People who regularly conduct real interviews
- Those who have recently gone through extensive interviewing themselves
- Career coaches who understand your industry
Recording reveals reality
One technique I've found particularly effective is recording your mock interviews. It's often surprising to see how different our perception is from reality. Watch for things like:
- How long you take to get to the point
- Your energy level and engagement
- Non-verbal cues you might be unaware of
- The clarity and structure of your responses
Making feedback actionable
After each mock interview, I use what I call the "3R framework" to make the feedback actionable:
- Review - Go through the recording and feedback systematically
- Reflect - Identify patterns and areas of improvement
- Revise - Create specific action items for your next mock interview
Beyond the basics
While most mock interviews focus on common questions, I've found it valuable to practice handling unexpected situations. Some scenarios worth practicing:
- Technical difficulties in virtual interviews
- Challenging or confrontational interviewers
- Questions you genuinely don't know how to answer
- Time pressure situations
Measuring progress
How do you know if your mock interviews are actually helping? I track three key metrics:
- Confidence level before and after each session
- Number of filler words used
- Time taken to answer standard questions
The compounding effect
What I've noticed is that consistent mock interviews create a compounding effect. Each session builds on the improvements from the previous one, leading to exponential growth in your interviewing skills.
Would you like to hear about specific exercises I use to make mock interviews even more effective? Let me know in the comments.
Remember, the goal isn't to be perfect in your mock interviews - it's to make your mistakes and learn from them before the real interview that matters.
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