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Make Your Mistakes in a Mock Interview

Carole Martin, Monster Contributing Writer

As with every skill you've ever learned, you have to learn the technique and then practice, practice, practice. A mock interview will not only help you perfect your technique, but it will also allow you to get valuable feedback and coaching on your performance.

Sue is an accomplished tennis player who has worked on her stroke and technique for many years. She has taken lessons from pros, and listened to their advice when they gave her their critiques.

She is now graduating from college and has signed up for some on-campus interviews with recruiters. She feels confident that she knows her subject and is a pretty good talker but decides advice from a professional would be a good idea.

Working with a professional and getting feedback on your performance in a mock interview is similar to working with a sports coach to learn how to improve your game. Both will enable you to learn where your strengths lie and where you may need work to improve your performance. Time spent practicing will assist you greatly in either situation. An added bonus to preparing and practicing is the self-confidence you will gain. In today's competitive world, you must be prepared and in top shape.

Before Sue interviews with potential employers, she signs up for a mock interview at the campus career center. She is given an interview tip sheet to read before the scheduled mock interview. The tip sheet includes the following:
What Is a Mock Interview?

A 30-minute videotaped session of you in an interview with a professional.

A review of the tape with constructive feedback on your performance.

Preparation

Prepare for the session by researching your company/industry of interest.

Investigate and identify the most common industry traits sought (analytical skills, communication skills, business knowledge and problem solving).

Script answers to demonstrate your experience with these factors as well as answers to behavioral interview questions, such as "Tell me about a time when..." and "Can you give me an example of a time..."

The Session

Dress in appropriate attire -- as though this is an actual company interview.

Greet the interviewer with an enthusiastic handshake and smile.

Listen to the question asked. Make sure you know what the interviewer wants to know. Ask for clarification if the question is not clear.

Keep your answers concise and to the point -- two to three minutes long.

Make sure you are selling the product: You.

Have questions prepared to ask the interviewer.

The Feedback

Observe your feelings while viewing the tape and listening to your answers. Are you coming across the way you intended?

Listen to feedback with an open mind, not defensively.

Learn from your performance. How are you being perceived through the eyes of someone who does not know you?

As Sue reads through the tip sheet, she realizes that she has some work to do to prepare for her mock interview. From her tennis experience, she knows the value of learning the proper techniques from a coach and then practicing them. She has decided to devote the same energy to the interview process as she has to her tennis game. The interview match is one game she wants to win.
Articles in This Feature:

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It takes practice to perfect your interviewing skills. Mock interviews let you make mistakes before they count.

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Make Your Mistakes in a Mock Interview Carole Martin, Monster Contributing Writer As with every skill you've ever learned, you have to learn the technique and then practice, practice, practice. A mock interview will not only help you perfect your technique, but it will also allow you to get valuable feedback and coaching on your performance.

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Struggling to decide on an outfit for your upcoming job interview? What you wear to an interview creates an image or perception of the type of person you are, so choosing your attire is critical to presenting yourself as the right candidate to hire.
How interview attire has shifted
The dot-com era ushered in a more casual approach to workplace attire, including during interviews, in the past 10-15 years. When the economic recession hit, job seekers began dressing up as a way to differentiate themselves from other candidates. The recession created a heightened awareness by hiring managers of what candidates wear to interviews. Interview attire is also often seen as a test of a candidate's familiarity of the company and industry.
Tips to dress for positive impact

The appropriate interview attire depends on the industry in which you'll be interviewing, as well as the geographic location and time of year.

Spend time on the Internet researching the company, industry and competitors to determine suitable interview outfits.

Still not sure? Call the company's HR department and ask what they recommend you wear.

When in doubt, err on the side of being slightly over dressed, rather than show up looking too casual.

Don't have an appropriate outfit? Go to a large department store like Nordstrom or Macy's and ask for help from a personal shopper or hire a personal stylist.

Ensure that your clothes are cleaned and pressed.

Avoid wearing perfume or cologne.

Wear makeup and jewelry that are appropriate to the job/company/industry.

Your clothes can influence your chances for landing a job
If a man wore a dark suit to a job interview in California (or any warm climate) in August for a position as a construction worker, the hiring manager might think the man had lost his mind. Why? The attire is inappropriate not just for the position and industry, but also for the location and time of year.

What if a woman wore a navy pant suit, pulled her hair into a low ponytail, wore little makeup, no jewelry and flat shoes to a job interview as a clothing stylist? It's doubtful she would be offered the job. The hiring manager would probably be looking for someone who projects an image of creativity and wears clothing, makeup and accessories that are fashion-forward.

As the old saying goes: "Perception is reality." Think about the image you want to project during your interview and then choose an outfit that will create a positive perception and is appropriate, given the time of year, your geographic location, and the job/company/industry.

~ Lisa Quast, author of award-winning book, YOUR CAREER, YOUR WAY!

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Struggling to decide on an outfit for your upcoming job interview? What you wear to an interview creates an image or perception of the type of person you are, so choosing your attire is critical to presenting yourself as the right candidate to hire. Here are 8 tips to dress for positive impact...

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Entrepreneur mindset
How to prepare for an interview

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1, Research the organization.

2. Compare your skills and qualifications to the job requirements.

3. Prepare responses.

4. Plan what to wear.

5. Plan what to bring

6. Pay attention to non-verbal communication.

7. Follow up.

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In interviews, your job is to convince a recruiter that you have the skills, knowledge and experience for the job. Show motivation and convince a recruiter that you fit the organization's culture and job description, and you get that much closer to an offer.

7-Step Interview Prep Plan

1. Research the organization.

This will help you answer questions - and stand out from less-prepared candidates.

Seek background information.

Use tools like Vault, CareerSearch or The Riley Guide for an overview of the organization and its industry profile.

Visit the organization's website to ensure that you understand the breadth of what they do.

Review the organization's background and mission statement.

Assess their products, services and client-base.

Read recent press releases for insight on projected growth and stability.

Get perspective. Review trade or business publications. Seek perspective and a glimpse into their industry standing.

Develop a question list. Prepare to ask about the organization or position based on your research.

2. Compare your skills and qualifications to the job requirements.

Analyze the job description. Outline the knowledge, skills and abilities required.

Examine the hierarchy. Determine where the position fits within the organization.

Look side-by-side. Compare what the employer is seeking to your qualifications.

3. Prepare responses.

Most interviews involve a combination of resume-based, behavioral and case questions. We encourage you to meet with us to practice telling your story in the best possible way.

4. Plan what to wear.

Go neutral. Conservative business attire, such as a neutral-colored suit and professional shoes, is best.

Err formal. If instructed to dress "business casual," use good judgment.

Plug in that iron. Make sure your clothes are neat and wrinkle-free.

Dress to impress. Be sure that your overall appearance is neat and clean.

5. Plan what to bring.

Extra copies of your resume on quality paper

A notepad or professional binder and pen

A list of references

Information you might need to complete an application

A portfolio with samples of your work, if relevant

6. Pay attention to non-verbal communication.

Be mindful. Nonverbal communication speaks volumes.

Start ahead. Remember that waiting room behaviors may be reported.

Project confidence. Smile, establish eye contact and use a firm handshake.

Posture counts. Sit up straight yet comfortably. Be aware of nervous gestures such as foot-tapping.

Be attentive. Don't stare, but maintain good eye contact, while addressing all aspects of an interviewer's questions.

Respect their space. Do not place anything on their desk.

Manage reactions. Facial expressions provide clues to your feelings. Manage how you react, and project a positive image.

7. Follow up.

Many interviews end with "Do you have any questions?"

Bring a list. You may say, "In preparing for today's meeting, I took some time to jot down a few questions. Please allow me to review my notes."

Be strategic. Cover information not discussed or clarify a previous topic - do not ask for information that can be found on the organization's website.

In your opinion, what makes this organization a great place to work?

What do you consider the most important criteria for success in this job?

Tell me about the organization's culture.

How will my performance be evaluated?

What are the opportunities for advancement?

What are the next steps in the hiring process?

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In interviews, your job is to convince a recruiter that you have the skills, knowledge and experience for the job. Show motivation and convince a recruiter that you fit the organization's culture and job description, and you get that much closer to an offer.

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Clarify Direction
Future Vision
Attract Financing
Attract Team Members
Manage Company

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Business plans help clarify and focus objectives and goals.

business plan 50409 image by pablo from Fotolia.com

Business plans are documents used for planning out specific details about your business. They can range in size from a simple few sentences to more than 100 pages with formal sections, a table of contents and a title page. According to Entrepreneur Magazine, typical business plans average 15 to 20 pages. Comprehensive business plans have three sections--business concept, marketplace and financial--and these are broken down into seven components that include the overview or summary of the plan, a description of the business, market strategies, competition analysis, design and development, operations and management, and financial information. Even small one-page business plans have importance and purpose for the success of the business however.

Clarify Direction

The primary purpose of a business plan is to define what the business is or what it intends to be over time. Clarifying the purpose and direction of your business allows you to understand what needs to be done for forward movement. Clarifying can consist of a simple description of your business and its products or services, or it can specify the exact product lines and services you'll offer, as well as a detailed description of your ideal customer.

Future Vision

Businesses evolve and adapt over time, and factoring future growth and direction into the business plan can be an effective way to plan for changes in the market, growing or slowing trends, and new innovations or directions to take as the company grows. Although clarifying direction in the business plan lets you know where you're starting, future vision allows you to have goals to reach for.

Attract Financing

The Small Business Administration states, "The development of a comprehensive business plan shows whether or not a business has the potential to make a profit." By putting statistics, facts, figures and detailed plans in writing, a new business has a better chance of attracting investors to provide the capital needed for getting started.

Attract Team Members

Business plans can be designed as a sale tool to attract partners, secure supplier accounts and attract executive level employees into the new venture. Business plans can be shared with the executive candidates or desired partners to help convince them of the potential for the business, and persuade them to join the team.

Manage Company

A business plan conveys the organizational structure of your business, including titles of directors or officers and their individual duties. It also acts as a management tool that can be referred to regularly to ensure the business is on course with meeting goals, sales targets or operational milestones.

About the Author

Kathy Burns-Millyard has been a professional writer since 1997. Originally specializing in business, technology, environment and health topics, Burns now focuses on home, garden and hobby interest articles. Her garden work has appeared on GardenGuides.com and other publications. She enjoys practicing Permaculture in her home garden near Tucson, Ariz.

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What Is the Importance & Purpose of a Business Plan?

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Business plans are documents used for planning out specific details about your business. They can range in size from a simple few sentences to more than 100 pages with formal sections, a table of contents and a title page. According to Entrepreneur Magazine, typical business plans average 15 to 20 pages.

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NFTE has worked with more than 700,000 young people from low-income communities in programs across the U.S. and around the world

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Did you know that  NFTE began as a program to prevent dropouts and improve academic performance among students who were at risk of failing or quitting school.

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I already knew Mr. Sloss
but it was great catching up with him again! It was a different experience to catch up and talk in professional bases.

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Kevin has been gifted with a unique opportunity to creatively and pragmatically program for over 2000 predominantly African American Pre-College and College students per year. His unique talents are essential in being at the forefront of healing Chicago's African American communities.

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Kelly McCohen
She was very nice and I met her in the networking breakfast. She also interviewed me at IFT. She spoke about her experience and mentioned what she did and loved about her work.

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It was great to be able to mingle and chat with people and learn how they got involved with the school and why they choose to support

Meeting people and talking with them gives you a chance to network and get business cards from different people for connection for jobs and colleges!

Seeing the auction was probably my favorite part and to see all those who support HT be so happy and excited is an amazing you get when watching them.

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Help me to network with potential employers

Help me in college if I take a business class or economics

Taught me how to share my ideas and make them concrete to share