Missouri State University

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Career Center 

Practice Interviews

A practice interview is one of the best ways to prepare for an actual interview with an employer.  It allows you to gain experience in the interview process and practice in answering questions you may be asked by the interviewer.  Our office video tapes this process so as to provide feedback to you and allow you to see for yourself how others see you.

A member of the Career Center staff will interview you, asking questions specifically related to the field you are interviewing in. During the interview, be certain to practice asking questions of the "employer" as you would in an actual interview as well.  After the interview is complete, the staff member will sit with you and watch your interview providing feedback and advice.

The interview itself normally takes between 15-20 minutes with the critique session taking 30-40 minutes.  Please plan on a full hour for the appointment.

Preparing for your practice interview

Obtain a list of common questions from the Career Center website.  Practice answering these questions, however, do not memorize your answers. Prepare yourself to respond to the interviewer's questions about past experiences that will help the interviewer get a better idea of your qualifications.

Come to your appointment dressed as if you were going to the actual interview you are preparing for. This is the perfect time to make sure you are presenting yourself appropriately for interviews. If you are uncertain how to dress, follow the "Dressing for Success" link for help.

Arrive on time, or early, and bring a copy of your résumé or portfolio.  If you would like to keep a copy of your interview, please bring a VHS tape that we may record on.

 

Resources:

Common interview questions

Illegal questions and how to deal with them

Dressing for Success