What kind of student were you?

Did you study for hours before a big test, cramming every little bit of review you could while sitting in homeroom the morning of? Or were you the kid who didn’t study — ever?

The reason I ask is because preparing for a job interview is very similar to preparing for a test. All the tools you need to be successful are at your fingertips. It’s just a question of whether or not you’re going to use them. Think of a mock interview as being akin to a study session — it’s best done in a group setting and can provide you with insight into what you are and are not ready for.

Yes, getting everything set up for a mock interview can feel like an extra step in an already time-consuming process, but it’s important. This is why we’ve put together a helpful guide!

Three Tips for Setting Up a Mock Interview

Before you actually have a practice interview, you want to make sure everything is set up in the most efficient and helpful way. Follow these tips to achieve success:

1. Pick the Right Interviewer

There’s no use in setting up a mock interview if the interviewer isn’t someone capable of giving you honest feedback or behaving professionally. Do not choose a goofy friend or a family member that is only going to say positive things about your performance. Furthermore, if you can find someone who will come to the interview having done research on you beforehand, that would be even better.

By some estimates, 70% of employers believe that companies should screen the social media profiles of applicants prior to hiring them, which is exactly what your mock interviewer should do. This is a perfect opportunity to have someone else review your online personas and ensure that nothing unprofessional can be found from a quick google search.

2. Do the Interview Someplace Professional and Quiet

Research shows that people remember more material when they study in an environment that’s similar to the test conditions. Being able to recall important information about, say, your work experience without having to look at your resume will be far more impressive than reading from your notes.

While it’s going to be hard to recreate the interview setting exactly, it is good to make sure that the key elements are present. If you conduct the mock interview in your room — where you feel very comfortable and at home — it won’t at all mimic the feeling of being in a new environment. Some good examples of places are the public library, a quiet cafe (not during a morning rush), or at a friend/colleagues office.

3. Record the Mock Interview

Lastly, don’t forget to record the interview. Hopefully, you’ve found someone who will provide you with constructive criticism, but you should be reviewing your answers and body language as well. There are things that only you will catch, so don’t miss the opportunity to ensure you’re putting your best foot forward.

Do’s and Don’ts During the Mock Interview

Now that you’ve got the mock interview setting established and the camera is rolling, here’s what you should and should not do during the actual mock interview (and, for the most part, during the real interview).

The Do’s

1. Come Fully Prepared

Even though the person interviewing you might already know about your past work experience or educational background, you need to be treating this mock interview like it’s the real deal. Have all relevant application materials (resume, cover letter, etc.) printed out and come prepared with knowledge of the company and questions of your own.

2. Dress the Part

It’s always good to get a second opinion on your clothes when we’re talking about something as important as a job interview, so wear your real interview outfit. Not only can you receive feedback on your choices, but it will also give you a chance to pinpoint any potential fit/comfort problems with the clothes.

Remember, you want to feel comfortable and confident, while also keeping in mind that employers can and do reject candidates for how they dress during the interview.

3. Ask for Feedback

As we’ve mentioned a few times in this article, the feedback you get from your mock interviewer is one of the greatest benefits of this process. Any constructive feedback is a chance for improvement, and positive feedback will boost your confidence.

Confidence (or lack thereof) has been shown to have major effects on hiring decisions, so don’t downplay the importance of doing your best even if the interview isn’t technically real.

The Don’ts

1. Don’t Mock the Mock Interview

If you don’t already see a reason to take this mock interview seriously, then how about this — did you know that according to data collected from over 1,000 mock interviews, researchers found that “3-4 hours of mock interview prep significantly increases your chances of landing the role?”

2. Don’t Rush

We get it — you’re busy. And the job search process is already incredibly time-consuming, so it makes sense that you would want to rush through some of these steps. Don’t do that.

You need to practice being calm and collected while in the interview. Answer the questions thoughtfully, remain professional, and remember that body language plays a significant role in interview performance, so try not to fidget.

3. Don’t Psych Yourself Out

Last but not least, try not to psych yourself out. A mock interview is meant to help you feel more prepared, so if you find that it’s causing anxiety, just remember that this is just the study session, not the exam.

This is the tool, not the test.

Take a deep breath, do your best, and then use what you’ve learned during the mock interview to improve.

Tips for Landing an Actual Interview

We hope that this guide can help you navigate the daunting process of getting ready for an interview. Mock interviews are effective and easy when done right. That said, what isn’t always easy is landing a job interview in the first place. For any given position, it’s estimated that only between six and ten people will be asked to come in for an interview.

So how do you make sure you’re one of those lucky few?

Let us help you! At CyberCoders, our recruiters can do everything from connecting you to the right job openings, to scheduling interviews, to ensuring that you’re getting paid what you’re worth. To learn more about your services and to gain access to our professionally curated job board, go to our website today.