HI Mary
Very effective way to deal with role playing. You have recognized that people are shy about interviewing even if it is with their peers. You have shown us how to build up confidence. Have you considered video taping the interviews and also having employers stop by to hold practice interviews? Thanks, Susan
We use role play. Students are always worried about it in the beginning, so I generally start in a low key fashion by interviewing them as a group. I direct key interview questions to the group and let volunteers answer, then discuss the answers.
As the group gets more comfortable in that setting, we move on to mock interviews done by individuals.
At the end of every weekly Job Search Workshop we discuss two or three difficult interview questions and different ways to answer them. That way, if one of these questions should get asked, the students will have had a chance to think about it.
No problem, Faith. If you are having a problem form a committee and pose the problem to them. If you choose your committee effectively then you'll get lots of great ideas. Be sure to include online students. You can pose the question online and get effective responses from the students who will benefit from the training. The answers are usually out there. We just have to remember to ask. And include the right mix of people. Thanks, Susan
HI Faith
It's a challenge but do-able. First create a lesson plan all about interviews with practice questions. Have students prepare the answers. Then create an online test where students get random questions and have to answer them in writing within a certain time frame. Have the responses graded and sent to the student for review and then have the instructor set a time to go over the plus and minus of each interview response by phone. Students can practice with friends and relatives if you provide a grading template. And students can practice with willing employers in their area. Lots more ideas. Just brainstorm and evaluate everything and you'll have a great program. Susan
Can anyone give me suggestions on how to set up mock interviews for my online students? I have thought about conducting an interview over the phone with the student or contacting employers in their area to try and see if they would be willing to conduct a "practice" interview in their establishment.
I guess I am having a hard time coming up with a way to make a mock interview as effective over the phone or on an email as it is face to face.
HI Faith
It is not difficult to offer career services to online students. Use the same learning management platform as your courses and design your services just like a course. And of course include a facilitator. There's reading, examples, assignments, and more. Like many online courses, often they are more rigorous than in the classroom. Good question. Susan
I love that idea! Here is a challenge: I am responsible for placement at an online school. How would you suggest working this into our department?
Wow Lucille - really practical and fun tips. When there is fun in learning anything, there is more learning, and more receptivity to learning. And it gets the nervousness out of the way. Thanks, Susan
We have scheduled visits to classrooms for Interviewing Techniques and weekend seminars on Marketing Yourself for Success. It is an interactive and fun workshop where I give out small prizes for the best handshake, the absence of slang in an answer, and good eye contact.
For our really shy students, I give out hand mirrors for them to use when they are talking on the phone with their friends. They can practice eye contact in a comfortable setting and get used to being at ease looking at someone when speaking to them.
Another tip I give them is using a clear antiperspirant on their hands about an hour before their interview so they won't have to worry about a 'wet' handshake.
These are a few of the things we do to help students prepare for their interview experience.
Hi Joice, Mock interviews are really great. And the more interviews the student practices the better. You might want to have real employers visit and hold mock interviews and then critque what went well and where improvement is needed. Best wishes, Susan
When we teach interviewing skills we utilize mock interviews with the current staff at our facility, whether it is the instructors, admissions, Director of Education or School Director. We ask the students to come dressed and prepared for an actual interview for their field. It has worked quite well so far.
Joice
Great Anna. We also believe that real practice situations are great for improving interview skills. Ideally there have been other practice sessions prior to the one with an employer. Getting feedback along the way is essential. Even self critiques. And video taping interviews. Thanks, Susan
Consistent real life interactions with employers is the best tool to enhance their interview skills. With concrete relationships with employers, employers will be more than happy to provide a "practice" interview with the student in their own setting and environment. Also, exposing students to environments that needs networking and communication skills will help enhance those skills necessary for an interview.
Hi Dolores, All really great ideas. Good to keep in mind that employers can offer many services and are usually happy to if asked. They can handle the interviews as you outlined, give presentations, hold workshops, present what they are looking for in a candidate, talk about job advancement, how to get a raise, what it's like to work at their company, review curriculum, and much more. Good work, Susan
I enjoyed reading everyone's ideas and by including all of these suggestions in our professional communication classes our graduates will have great skills.
I'm also calling employers, which was mentioned, for the final graduate's interview. I've just started so we'll see how this works. My vision is to have 2 or 3 employers for each degree program stop in for the day and evening classes to help out with interviews. This way the student can get an experiential interview in their career of choice.
By then, they have a completed resume, portfolio, have practiced a few times in mock interviews and understand the importance of dressing for success. Who knows, maybe the employer will be so impressed that when it comes time to hire they'll remember the graduate they interviewed.
Hi Millie, Fabulous idea. Can you tell us where you got the cards. Or if you created them, what are some questions and how many cards do you have. We are wondering what happens after the volunteers are finished. Do you require all students to pick a card? Thanks, Susan
I have a "deck of cards" with behaviorial based interview questions. I ask for volunteers in workshops to draw a card and answer the question. It helps all the students in the class to hear the answers and is fun at the same time.
Great ideas, James. Lots of ways to practice even more than 3 times. Students can work in class, in workshops, and pair up with other soon to be grads. We like the idea of virtually hiring the best interviewee and also prizes. Makes the process fun and takes the nervousness away. Thanks for sharing with us. Susan
Hi Deborah,
Practice! Practice! Practice!
I know it sounds simple but I have found that three mock interviews while students are still enrolled greatly improves their interviewing techniques. We schedule three interviews at certain points of their program and at the end of the day we will hire the student who we feel performed the best. We will then discuss why we did or did not hire certain students. Prizes for being hired are also a great motivational tool.
