A mock interview is a great opportunity to sharpen your skills and learn how to set yourself apart from other job candidates. Here’s how to schedule a mock interview with the Career Resource Center (CRC) and make the most of your mock interview experience:
How to Schedule a Mock Interview
1. Find a dream job on LinkedIn, a job board like Indeed, or a company website.
2. Fill out the mock interview template below with your information and submit it by email
to crc@baker.edu
3. Watch for a Zoom invitation to arrive in your email with your mock interview appointment time.
Dear Career Resource Center:
My name is [Student Name], and I am in the [Name of Program] program. I would like to schedule a mock interview. I have copied and pasted a link to a job I found on [LinkedIn, Handshake, Indeed, or a company website] that I would love to be able to get when I graduate. My availability is Mondays (8 AM–11 AM), Tuesdays (Not Available), Wednesdays (12 PM–6 PM), Thursdays (All Day), and Fridays (Not at Available). I look forward to hearing from you. <LINK TO JOB POSTING>
Sincerely,
[Student Name]
What to Expect
- As soon as you request a mock interview, a CRC staff member will send you a Zoom invitation by email. At your interview time, click on the embedded link in the email.
- The interviewer will pose as someone from your chosen organization.
- After the interview is finished, the CRC staff member will give you helpful feedback.
- A recording of the interview will be sent to you; you can watch it again or view it with others as a learning tool.
What to Do
- Treat the mock interview like an actual interview by dressing professionally.
- Before the interview, check out (1) your appearance via your webcam to be sure the background and lighting are appealing and (2) the audio quality.
- Look directly at the camera when you are speaking, not at the screen.
- Prepare for your interview by making a list of 4-5 hard skills (things learned through education and training) and soft skills (ways of interacting with people, like flexibility or organization) that you excel in. Think of very brief examples or stories you can use to illustrate your skills.
- If you know the specific job/organization for which you want to practice interviewing, be sure you have learned basic information about the organization by consulting their LinkedIn page and website.
- Always have two or three questions about the organization that you can ask the interviewer. It shows you have prepared for the interview and are truly interested in working for that organization.
- Be yourself and don’t forget to smile!