Mock Job Interview Session

So what the class really is, is not so much a class, but a mock interview. It will give the student an opportunity to experience what a job interview is really like. One thing to point out is that I do teach a class on preparing for a job interview, and one can find a lot of crossovers between that class, and this mock interview session. That being said, the class on preparing for a job interview is not a prerequisite for this session.

Here is how I will conduct this mock interview.

1) I will start out by asking the student the basic question, "Why do you want to work here?" 
What I am looking for is not so much "I need a job.", or "I want to make money." But more so something in depth such as, "I have been following your company for quite some time, and I feel I can contribute something to your organization." This would be followed by a question from the interviewer, "What is it that you would bring to the company?" The ultimate purpose is to have the student think about what separates them from the other candidates?

2) The second segment deals with "Strengths and Weaknesses". In many interviews the question is brought up, "Name a strength that you feel you possess?" This is then followed by, "Name a weakness that you possess?" Now for many this can be somewhat awkward because the person being interviewed does not want to sabotage their chances, and yet at the same time we all have a weakness, or something that needs improvement. What I would do is after asking this question follow up with, "What are you trying to do to change this weakness into a strength? 

3) The third segment deals with, "What are your goals?", "Where do you see yourself in two years?", and "Where do you see yourself in five years?" These questions are pretty common, and even though I do not really like them, there is a reason why these questions are asked. The company wants to know will the candidate be with the company for the long term. So the student really wants to think about this, and think about what they are doing both inside, and outside the company. Do they have goals outside the company? Such as writing a book? Starting a small business? 

4) The final segment is very important as this deals with what to ask the person conducting the interview. The candidate is the one applying for the job, but at the same time they are also interviewing the company. It is important to ask about the atmosphere of the company. If the candidate is hired, what would be expected from them on the first day? Is there a chance to move up within the company? I will also touch on what to not ask the interviewer.

That is pretty much it. I feel that this will help the student get an idea of what to expect, and hopefully give them some level of comfort.