Hector,
You can't beat the mock interview for helping to polish interviewing skills. Sounds like you have your students on the right track.
Elizabeth Kemler
mock interview is the best way. and they really enjoy it.... Then i talk with our students and let them know what they did wrong. We keep doing until the Student feels 100%
Ralph,
How strange! So sorry that happened. I don't do anything on the technical end but will send your message to my tech contact and see if he can help.
Elizabeth Kemler
No, I don't have anything on the web that you could look at. I had an unfortunate situation while taking the final exam. I completed it and submitted it but after doing so it came back with a login message. I had to login and take the exam over again. Much to my dismay, I did not have the opportunity to review questions I lost points for as it would not show me that screen. I called customer support and the said I could not get a copy of the overview of the test showing the aforementioned. Is there any way to retrieve the graded copy to see where I made mistakes with the correct answers?
Ralph,
You are so right about younger students not getting the importance of professionalism..definitely a generational gap there! Sounds like we're doing a lot of the same kind of work. I also have some (slightly) comedic videos on interviews that do & do not work-one highlighting presentation skills, the other highlighting wording. If you're curious, you can see them on my website under Resources for Book 3 at tblsuccess.com. Is there somewhere I could have a look at yours as well?
Elizabeth Kemler
Elizabeth: Much of the information I have covered in this course and in the forums is on target. I have developed a 3 credit course based upon my text and another as well as my years assisting students and professionals seeking new careers or recovering from employment reductions. I am a believer of preparing yourself in many ways. Most important when the individual walks in the room is appearance and professionalism (difficult to make younger people understand). I have also developed a script and a video a numbers of years ago which takes a potential employment prospect from the initial encounter with a receptionest to the closing of the interview. It was done in manner which takes almost a comic approach to show students both the wrong and right way through the interview process. I am enjoying the course as it brings much insight and fortification to what many of us do on a daily basis.
ruth,
I agree with this and also recommend having the students do mock interviews with professionals in the field if possible, or at least someone other than their teacher to help them get comfortable speaking to different kinds of people.
Elizabeth Kemler
You should do as many mock interviews as necessary until the student is confortable and at the level needed to be successful. Sometime I will do mock interviews just before the real interview
K.C.,
It's great that you do three; each time building their skills and confidence a little more.
Elizabeth Kemler
Our college has 3 practice interviews so that it builds strength and confidence within the student. I have seen so many students gain strength in their communication skills and presentation by the time the 3rd interview is complete.
Joshuah,
You are clearly heading your students in the right direction.
Elizabeth Kemler
I work directly with the students on their confidence level. It starts with a firm handshake, eye contact and smile. We practice this. This helps the interview start out on a positive note and eliminates nervousness. I also ask the student to come in before the interview, personal encouragement goes a long way, plus it allows opportunity to see what the student is wearing. More positvie feedback and encouragement. If they look good they will do good. I am very frank about how the student should dress, and present themselves. I am old enought to be the parent of most of the students so I make suggestions but back it up with an employer based reason. We also do mock interview and provide examples of a good employer interview and a bad one. Every interview is a chance to learn and be a better interviewer. Never never give up
Alainna,
I actually think all types of learners can benefit. What kind of debrief and follow up do you have after the mock interviews?
Elizabeth Kemler
Mock interviews are my main go to for this process. It really seems to help our kinesthically based learners. To do it is to understand it.
Kathy,
I think the approach you take with your workshops is right on target; I love that you first focus on developing habits that will reflect positively on them within their school/work/home lives, and then progress incrementally from there. I wish you ongoing success!
Elizabeth Kemler
We have implemented a three phase plan during the full term of the program in which I as the Career Services Director have an opportunity to conduct workshops in the classroom during each of their three quarters.
In the first quarter we discuss how they develop good habits and begin to develop a positive reputation in the eyes of their classmates, instructors, family and coworkers through their everyday actions. We talk about their long term goals and what they can be doing now to prepare for success. We also stress professionalism and what that looks like in the eyes of a potential employer.
The second quarter is about Interview skills and the best way to present yourself through the very same subjects you presented here.
Finally, I require all pending grads to engage in a practice job interivew with me (dressed appropriately, with resume). They answer questions and ask questions. I coach if needed.
It has made a tremedous difference in the outcome of our placements and more positive feedback from the employers.
Deborah,
What a good idea-this emphasizes the great importance of interview skills.
Elizabeth Kemler
The mock interview is basically the final exam for our career development class and is held the last week of the class. Our career development class a 16 hour class encompassing resume writing, cover/thank you letters and preparing for the interview. As we are preparing we practice various mock interview scenarios and the students critique each other. That allows the student to be on both sides of mock interview. If during the mock interview the student seems to have completely forgotten everything we learned in class then my mock interviewers go over the interview and discuss how they could be better.
I think by doing mock interview and recording the student so he/she can see their body language and make iimprovements
Josephine,
You really can't beat role-playing for effective preparation-especially for the unexpected question or interviewer.
Elizabeth Kemler
