On June 2^nd, the Downtown Campus hosted a Mock Interview event in collaboration with Professor Karen Cassidy’s reading class.

During the event students were split into pairs and given sample job postings, interview question flash cards, and interview evaluations.

After reviewing the job posting, the students would decide who would be interviewed first. The interviewer would then ask the interviewee three questions from the flash cards. If the student being interviewed got stuck, there were tips on the back of the card for assistance. The interviewer asked questions and assessed the interviewee based on a checklist. Once finished with the interview, the students switched places.

After both interviews were completed, each student would tally up their own score naming them “Interview Novice”, “Interview Middle-Man”, or “Interview Expert”.

Students mentioned that while they didn’t think they needed practice interviewing before doing the exercise, they noticed some things about themselves that they want to work on before their next real interview.

Students also said they were more aware of their own strengths after the mock interviews. Interviewing for jobs they may not have been qualified for gave them a chance to identify “transferable skills”, or skills that they gained in a previous experience that could be used in the present position.

If you are interested in brushing up on your interview skills, contact a member of Career Services on a campus close to you or through our online services. Also keep your eye on the Event Calendar for all of the activities happening college-wide: http://www.spcollege.edu/events/