I find that most of my students and graduates are very nervous about having a mock interview with me and so I try to relieve the stress by telling them that I would like them to come in to go over potential interview questions. When the student comes in for their appointment I have a list of commonly asked interview questions and we simply go over what they would say and whether or not their answer to the question would be considered appropriate . We write all of their answers down and I make sure that they take the worksheet with them so they have it to study from. I have heard from a lot of students and graduates that the questions are very helpful and the way we go over the questions makes them feel more comfortable for their interviews.
Carla,
We are definitely on the same page! It sounds like you're very thorough in your approach-I've no doubt your students benefit greatly from your expertize and commitment.
Elizabeth Kemler
Carla,
This is a great way to do the interviews-coming fully prepared.
Elizabeth Kemler
I cannot say enough to my students about the importance of researching the company(s) and the owner(s). With the internet era, there is no excuse not to do this before contacting or interviewing with a potential employer. Since my students are in Culinary Arts, I highly recommend they eat a the restaurant first. If they cannot afford it, I recommend ways to afford it (there are several). It not only allows you to show that you've done the research, it provides another level of confidence they would not have otherwise. You cannot help but get excited when someone asks you about your favorite dish or the last thing you've had off the menu, and that excitement and experience you share goes a very long way in the food industry.
This is actually one of my personal areas of opportunity. I do not feel comfortable with mock interviews myself, so not sure that I'm a good candidate to be the one doing them. On our campus, the instructors do mock interviews with every student since they've all maintained positions in the industry which required him/her to review resumes and conduct interviews, so I have them doing it just like they did when they were the employers. The students find a job posting, research the company, prepare cover letter and resume for that posting, and then come in dressed for the interview.
nicolas,
I agree that you usually get a better result when doing mock interviews with someone the student doesn't know well.
Elizabeth Kemler
Prepare the student to interview with friends and family after he feel comfortable with the questions and the response i have them do a mock interview with me. although i find y best results in mock interviews when they are performed by someone the students has little to no contact because of the familiarity of the person. the fact that the grad or student won't know the person doing the mock will help strengthen the students ability
Susan,
I like the idea of including students in the critiquing process-there is really no better way to learn-and I think it helps build a sense of community within the class as well.
Elizabeth Kemler
At my school students must create a resume and cover letter. For each, they present a first draft that then get critiqued by a group of their classmates lead by another instructor or career services team member. Then we introduce interviewing skills where they work together to create lists of questions they might be asked as well as questions they should /could ask. That's where researching companies comes in. Then we bring in actual employers who have agreed to help do mock interviews in the classroom. After they get through that, they role play and interview each other, using some of the information and feedback the received form the employers.
wendy ,
I agree with this completely and think its a great idea to have an outside person come in to conduct the interviews-that way it feels more like a 'real' interview.
Elizabeth Kemler
First, I've found having someone who is not as connected to my student as I am is a better facilitator to do the mock interview. Treating the mock interview as a "real" interview from an actual job posting, researching the company, professional dress, etc. provides better preparation than a generic interview or made up company.
LaVerne,
It sounds like you have all your bases covered :)
Elizabeth Kemler
yes- myself and my team do all three:
1. phone
2. face to face
3. panel
to give them exposure of all environments. I have found that a great portion of my students couldn't get pass a phone screen. therefore we wanted to make sure they were comfortable in all venues. my team has even recorded the interviews for training purposes so the students can see how there body language and facial expression are viewed by the interviewer.
LaVerne,
This sounds like a good approach. Are you able to do mock interviews in person as well? I think that would be the most beneficial so that they get a good idea of what an actual interview might feel like.
Elizabeth Kemler
depending on how much time we have before the interview, I like to mock interview on the phone, one on one and then a panel interview. My goal is to give my student all the exposure and different interview settings/environment. I also relax them by telling them that it is a nature conversation. they will have the opportunity to highlight and show case their talent-- and they get to control that. I enforce all the rules of engagement: research the company, have your questions ready to ask the interviewer, speak to your resume and be CONFIDENT.
A student will have a sucessful interview if he/she does a mock interview and does reseach on the company that they are going to be interview at, and show confidence during the interview.
