Four Ways to Practice for an Interview

Nancy Anderson
Posted by in Career Advice


A job interview can make or break your career. Instead of going into an interview unrehearsed and unprepared, spend time practicing. While practice sessions may feel silly, they can help you communicate clearly and maintain a professional demeanor throughout the interview.

Talk About Your Accomplishments

In normal conversation, it's common to speak about past jobs in generalities. During a job interview, specificity and storytelling are key. Spend time thinking about your past accomplishments and challenges. What accomplishments demonstrate your abilities and show how you'll be an asset to the company? Identify key situations and frame them as engaging stories. If you're having trouble thinking of situations, find a list of common and unusual interview questions and find anecdotes that you can use in the answers. Write them down, focusing on creating a clear structure. Keep each story brief and powerful.

Speak Out Loud

During a job interview, anticipation and nerves can make it difficult to communicate clearly. Through the nervous haze, you might find yourself stammering or struggling to find the right words to answer the simplest of questions. Although it's impossible to prevent a degree of nervousness, interview practice can make it easier to speak clearly. Practice your interview answers and anecdotes out loud, first to yourself, and then to another person. Repeat the process until you feel comfortable; like any other physical pursuit, the words will become a part of your muscle memory. At the interview, it will be easier to speak clearly and adapt to changes in the conversation.

Mock Interview

A job interview is an unpredictable beast, often taking unexpected turns and twists. To help add an element of unpredictability into your interview practice, ask a colleague or friend to help. Give them a list of questions and suggest that they include their own to surprise you as the conversation progresses. If possible, sit down with a mentor or friend in your industry who will be able to ask more relevant questions. Alternatively, visit a local college or university career center; many offer practice interviews as part of their services. A mock interview gives you the chance to practice thinking on your feet and reacting professionally to difficult questions.

Video Interview

When you are practicing for a job interview, it can be difficult to gauge your own performance and appearance. Without realizing it, you may be using filler words, adopting nervous physical tics or using unprofessional body language. One of the easiest ways to understand how you come off during an interview is to record yourself on video. Set up your phone, tablet or computer during a mock interview and review the footage later. Pay attention to the verbal and nonverbal cues that you are sending. Are you slumping or leaning too far forward? Is your speech clear and articulate? Are you nervously brushing your hair back, licking your lips or playing with a pen? Although it can be uncomfortable to watch yourself, video is a powerful way to develop an awareness of your behavior and make changes before an interview.

Even two or three practice sessions can help you improve your performance during a job interview. By taking the time to think through the process and rehearse your answers, you can come out ahead of other candidates and increase your chances of getting the job.

(Photo courtesy of imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net)
 

Comment

Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.

  • KORY S.
    KORY S.

    Tx

  • Annie W.
    Annie W.

    I haven't been working for a while because my main purpose here was politically generated but now there is no further danger of failing there so I am now looking a job.

  • Kathleen U.
    Kathleen U.

    I am in my mid 50's and job searching for the first time in 20 years. These are great tips! Thanks

  • Ann E.
    Ann E.

    Thank you for this information its very helpful

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    Absolutely @Thomas. I have given my share of presentations and been on my share of interviews. It's always best to practice ahead of time. I used to feel really silly, too, but have learned that it's a great habit to get into. If you can, get a friend to play interviewer and tape the "interview". That way you can see how you respond, your body language and so on. It is definitely an eye-opener! Wish you all the best.

  • Thomas Rowlands
    Thomas Rowlands

    Thank you! This was very helpful. I used to think it was silly to rehearse your interview, however it really works! After doing it a few times it will come natural to practice, and your nervousness does not show as clearly. Every professional I know rehearses well before their actual live event.

  • Angela T.
    Angela T.

    Thank You this info is very helpful.

  • Ruth L.
    Ruth L.

    I also agree with Jacqui that you need to know a little bit about the company, we have the World Wide Wed on our side, that is huge!

  • Jacqui B
    Jacqui B

    As someone who has been on both sides of the table, I agree with Ruth that the most important thing you can do is practice, practice, practice. Sit down with someone that you're comfortable with and have them ask you some difficult questions so you're not caught off guard in the interview. Also, get to know a little bit about the company. They might not ask, but it will show some initiative on your behalf.

  • John K.
    John K.

    The most important thing that I pulled from the article is to "spend time thinking about your past accomplishments." This is really good advice. The person conducting the interview wants to understand how you can help them and their company. It's okay to share past responsibilities, but so much more valuable to speak to how those efforts produced results.

  • Ruth L.
    Ruth L.

    I learned from My Agent to practice, practice, practice. I suggested practicing in front of a mirror to check out my posture and body language. Go so prepared, that the interview is an exercise for you to get the job!

  • Elizabeth p.
    Elizabeth p.

    A Job interview is getting to be like a career you not only have to practice but be yourself sitting accordingly be secure of What YOUR SAYING ; AND MEMORIZED YOUR RESUME ; AND CONNECT WITH INTERVIWER IS THE KEY!!!!!!

  • Diane B.
    Diane B.

    Thank you. Extremely helpful!

  • sheikh manzoor
    sheikh manzoor

    it will guide me.

  • Marylue D.
    Marylue D.

    thanks it was helpful

  • ANTHONY KYSER
    ANTHONY KYSER

    thanks very helpful

  • marie v.
    marie v.

    Thank you very much very helpful to me

  • Michele  B.
    Michele B.

    Info was very insightful and helpful....thanks

  • ErikaJo  Hincks
    ErikaJo Hincks

    Working at it

  • Gregory T.
    Gregory T.

    Good tips to incorporate in getting prepared. Thanks

  • Adebowale O.
    Adebowale O.

    Thanks

  • andrew d.
    andrew d.

    Very helpful .

  • Alma G.
    Alma G.

    Informative and helpful information.

  • Don Paden
    Don Paden

    Wise words and so very true!

  • Betsy Walker
    Betsy Walker

    Great - right on target

Jobs to Watch