Mock Interviewing
Guidance from Mock Interviewer Bruce B. MacMillan
A mock interview is a unique “laboratory”
experience. It allows you to practice for job
interviews in a safe, no-penalty environment.
You’ll work with an interviewer to practice answers
to interview questions, see how you present
yourself, see how well you market yourself, and
understand how you can improve your techniques.
As a result, you’ll feel much more confident about
your answers and your presentation as you pursue
job interviews.
The Basics
• The Bowdoin Career Planning mock
interviewers are volunteers. They really enjoy
helping you! They have experience in the field
you’re pursuing, understand the dynamics of
effective interviewing and are able to evaluate
you as a hiring organization would. A mock
interviewer can also review your resume and
help you stress your unique characteristics;
those that distinguish you in the marketplace.
Tips for Mock Interviewing
• When you book an appointment through the
Career Planning, write the appointment in your
calendar, smartphone, or planner. This is a
time commitment on your part as well as the
interviewer’s (who may spend up to three hours
on the process, counting document review,
travel time, the interview and providing Career
Planning with notes for your counselor file).
• Send your resume, job description, and other
materials to your interviewer as soon as possible
after booking the appointment. He/she will
review the materials to help strategize questions,
understand your strengths, and generally get to
know you.
• Think about what you’d like to learn or accomplish during your mock
interview. Examples: Are there particular kinds of questions you’d like
to practice? Are you concerned about the organization of your answers?
Are you concerned about your credentials and how they fit with the job
you’re pursuing?
• If you’ve had job interviews, feel free to share information about those
experiences and the feedback you received. This information may help
your mock interviewer tailor your session.
• Your mock interviewer will record your session. Video is a wonderful
teaching tool. Don’t be concerned that the recording will make you look
or sound foolish. It simply shows what it sees and hears—the way other
people see and hear you. It’s designed to help you by reinforcing what
you do well and showing you opportunities for improvement.
Things to Keep in Mind
• Come to your mock interview dressed for an interview.
• If you must cancel your interview (illness, personal emergency), please do
so at the earliest possible time by calling Bowdoin Career Planning at
207-725-3717 and emailing your mock interviewer.
• If you don’t show up for your mock interview, you will embarrass
yourself, Career Planning, and the interviewer—not to mention wasting
the interviewer’s time. Short of the reasons mentioned above, there’s
virtually no excuse for missing your interview. In the marketplace, if you
miss an interview without cause, you’ll be immediately disqualified as a
candidate.
• Make sure you get your mock interviewer’s contact information. Send
him/her a thank you note or email. Written thank you notes are an
important life habit; this is a great opportunity to practice that habit.
• Don’t hesitate to contact your mock interviewer if you have questions
after the interview.
• Keep your mock interviewer informed about your progress. He/she is
part of your network. Send him/her your business card when you land
your new job!
• Enjoy your mock interview and the process of searching for a job!