How Do Mock Interviews Help?

Do I need to schedule a mock interview? How do mock interviews help? What do I need to do to prepare well for the interview? These are some of the most common questions that we get from our audience. Let’s dive in and discuss in detail what mock interviews are and their importance.

Read: 6 Expert Tips To Prepare For An Informal Interview In 2024

What is a Mock Interview?

Before discussing the importance of a mock interview, let’s briefly describe it. A mock interview is a simulated interview designed to resemble an actual job interview as closely as possible.

The interview is structured to review all the qualifications and skills the hiring panel looks for when evaluating a candidate’s suitability for the advertised opportunities.

It achieves this goal by asking typical interview questions relevant to the job you are interviewing for. These questions cover different aspects such as experience, qualifications, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and behavioral traits.

How Do Mock Interviews Help?

Let’s shift gears and look at the five proven benefits of mock interviews. But before we do that, here are statistics about mock interviews.

• 96% of candidates who went for mock interviews secured their dream job
• 92% of candidates are of the idea that a mock interview is the most crucial interview preparation step
• On average, job posting reviews 250 resumes. 75% of resumes fail the initial screening process
• Interview pass rate ranges from 30 -50%

A mock interview will increase your chances of getting hired by;

Improving your Confidence

93% of job seekers face anxiety before and during an interview. While this is understandable and expected, anxiety reduces one’s chances of getting hired by decreasing the ability to communicate and express themselves coherently.

Practice or prepping for an interview several days before the big day breeds comfort and fluency. The mock interview feedback will help you prepare well by highlighting questions that are likely to be asked and how best to answer them.

The feedback from the interview coaches will not only help you to avoid common pitfalls but also boost your confidence level.

Skills Enhancement

Most job candidates fail to pass the screening process, not because they don’t have the required qualifications but because they need to know how to best respond to the interview questions.

Mock interviews improve candidates’ interview skills by providing accurate and unbiased feedback and guidance based on their responses, overall presentation, and body language.  

Your coach will help you identify and eliminate your weak points, fine-tune your answers, and enhance your ability to effectively communicate and demonstrate your skills, experiences, and qualifications.

Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Practice

Critical thinking and problem-solving are the most sort-after skills. Well-structured mock interviews should cover common questions and incorporate hypothetical scenarios and case studies. They allow job candidates to express and hone their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

With the guidance of the coaches, candidates hone their ability to analyze situations, make informed decisions, and express their problem-solving skills during actual interviews.

Time Management and Interview Etiquette

Time management is another essential skill to secure your dream job. Mock interviews train candidates on how to manage time effectively during interviews. They achieve this goal by teaching them to answer questions within the time limit, exhibit proper interview etiquette, and maintain a professional demeanor.

Ideally, the answers should be structured as a story, with a beginning, middle, and end. Applying the STAR technique when responding to the questions is your best bet to impressing the interviewing panel. The coach will train you to use the STAR technique during the interview.

• S – Situation
• T – Task
• A – Action
• R- Result

Your answers should have enough context; You risk of going off the rails and confusing the panelists by being verbose or including too much context.

Increase Your Job Competitiveness

Due to the cut-throat competition in the job market, only 1% of job applicants are invited for an interview. As mentioned earlier, one job posting receives 250 resumes on average.

The most common mistake candidates make is not preparing well in advance. Even if it’s labeled a casual chat or an introductory call, the HR manager or recruiter uses it to assess your skills and suitability for the position. Having a reputable interview prep coach on your side will help you prepare adequately for the actual interview and all engagements with HR.

Contact Us

Positive Realistic is a team of multi-talented coaches who strive to help individuals like you prepare well for interviews by holding mock interviews. We aim to help you secure your dream job and improve all facets of your life. Contact us to book a non-obligatory consultation session today.