High Five! You scored an interview. You deserve to do that happy dance of yours-privately 😂. You have organized the important documents, check your digital equipment to be working, and visualize your looks on that day- in slow-mo. But something seems missing 🤔.
Want to increase your confidence? Let’s spend some time for a fun and effective mock interview !!! Mock interviews are important as a form to build your confidence and familiarise yourself with the kind of questions and scenarios that might happen during the real interview.
We listed 10 effective ways for you to practice mock interviews at home!
Ready to take, Action! 🎬 Visualise the real interview scene.
Familiarise yourself with the interview scene ambiance through visualizing. If this is your second interview, you might have an additional advantage. But don’t you worry, you got this!
Imagine the temperature of the interview place, is it warm or cold. Visualize the sitting placement and insert positive elements through your visualization. Picture you smiling confidently, your body language, your interviewer's positive engagement towards your presentation on that day.
Use the present to manage the future better. Of course, we cannot predict the future but good preparation could always create a better outcome.
Ask burning questions to challenge yourself. 🔥
Imagine you are currently fighting in the boxing rings. You are sweating, bleeding, and have no idea why you are having a double vision when looking at your opponent. In the middle of the fight, you fought hard because you could read your opponent’s next move. Because you have practiced.
Similar to practicing mock interviews, mock interview questions are the shields to help you during the real interview. The questions give you a heads up to answer each question calmly and confidently. And when you score the right question, a sudden attitude speaks through your mind “ Okay, okay, hold on. I know what it is, you just wait.” ends with a neck shake (which also occurs in your mind 😆- keep it this way).
Examples of questions you can start with are:
Tell me about yourself- highlight your career background, best projects,etc.
How do you overcome past challenges?
What are your career goals?
Why do you want to work in this industry?
What will you do in this kind of scenario at work?
Why do you think you are fit for this role?
Choose the right outfit, create a good first impression.👜👗👔👞👠
How we dress reflects our identity. Well, there are times when we dress in what we feel comfortable with the most but dress as if it is your real interview. Prepare yourself with the hairstyle, your outfit that you are feeling comfortable with, and practical to wear for an interview.
If you are planning to shop for a new outfit, try it during the day of the mock interview. Run an outfit test to check whether the new outfit is suitable for you, if there is something uncomfortable with the outfit you can change to another outfit.
The type of shoes you will be wearing is important too because when you’re in pain from wearing the wrong shoe, it shall reflect on your face, and sometimes people misread as you’re having constipation. 🤭
Record yourself, reflect on your mock interview session.
Time to grab the popcorn 🍿, you do not want to miss a scene because in that ‘movie’ you are the star of the show! Play on repeat if needed, jot down the things you want to improve. Re-record if you have the time.
You will be surprised at how this little production house of yours will help you during the real interview. By recording your mock interview, it could reduce errors such as your body language, the way you answer the questions, and you might notice the facial expression you never realized you have before, for example answering questions while your eyes are looking at the ceiling or unconsciously rolling your eyes when you forgot a point. 👀
Set the mood, choose a suitable location to practice the interview.
Find a quiet place to conduct the mock interview. It could be your study table, dining table, or garden. Organize the scene similar to a real interview if you want to, or just make it fun but an effective place to set your mock interview session. If your housemates are not cooperative, include them in the mock session, such as recording you 🎥 which will automate a quiet scene 🤣. They might learn a thing or two from your mock interview session and point out if something sounds or looks funny.
‘You’re not a robot’, understand your prepared answers, and prevent yourself from sounding too scripted by memorizing.
Understand your prepared interview answers and practice saying the answers in a natural manner. Do not repeat the exact words and sentences during the real interview as you will sound as if you are hypnotized or under a magic spell.
Use the prep answers as guidance or key points to answer the questions on the day of the interview. Listen to the questions, understand the questions, and answer accordingly.
Practice with people you are comfortable with, your pet/plushies are welcome!
If you are feeling anxious, practice the mock interview with the people you are comfortable with, such as your family or best friends. Put your favorite plushie or furry pet in front of you and start practicing.
It might sound funny, but this practice is to calm your nerves and gain some confidence before practicing the mock interview with an expert.
Practice with professionals, such as career coaches or mentors.
Take another step further before the real interview by practicing with an expert. The person could be a professional in your industry, a career coach, or a mentor. These highly experienced people could assist you by giving professional tips, correct your mistakes, and boost your confidence for your interview.
A mock interview with an expert, let you familiarise yourself with the real interview questions and environment. Take this time to ask questions.
Get constructive feedback, and make the necessary changes.
Reflect on the feedback you have received. Make final changes to your interview presentation until you feel satisfied.
Sleep early 💤 a day before the real interview.
You have the power to control your mood on the day of your interview by sleeping early. This shall increase your focus level and improve your mood as well. Greet the day with a smile that brightens up the day-and your interviewer! 😉
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