Stay the Course
What are some best practices for helping students maintain a healthy level of confidence and motivation during the interview process, despite the fact that they may not have gotten the job offer?
Kandice ,
Good advice; I suggest that students have some kind of an interview log where they keep track of how each of the interviews went, with details about what exactly went well, and what did not.
Elizabeth Kemler
Reminding students that they can benefit greatly from any and all of the interviews they go on. Practice makes perfect and their confidence can grow if they use these interviews as learning experiences.
Elizabeth,
This is actually the first time I've heard anyone suggest a post-interview debrief, but it's a great idea; and taking notes on how it went to reference before the next interview could also be helpful.
Elizabeth Kemler
I believe it also important to remind students that each interview they go on is a learning experience regardless of how it went. Encourage students to do a post mortem on the experience. How did they dress? Did they speak clearly? What questions caught them off guard? If they take the time to review their lessons learned chances are they won't make the same mistakes again.
Shelisa,
What a great question. Some things I think are really helpful are: keeping in regular contact with the students-through emails and calls; sending weekly inspirational emails with links to inspiring people (ideally people who have overcome great obstacles and succeeded); regularly checking in on the phone, reminding them they have what it takes to succeed-and citing specific examples of things they do well and times they succeeded. Also, remind them that there are many jobs out there, and they will find the right job-fit if they stay with it.
Elizabeth Kemler
