Complete a mock interview

While your resume, online profile, and cover letter can help you catch the interest of a potential employer, it is the personal interview that helps a decision-maker choose the most appropriate candidate to hire.  This assignment will give you practice with an online job interview system.  

Read this first

• Hilke Schellmann, "How job interviews will transform in the next decade," Wall Street Journal (2020-01-07) Download Hilke Schellmann, "How job interviews will transform in the next decade," Wall Street Journal (2020-01-07)
  .

Complete these steps

1. Outline some ideas.  Just as with your cover letter, during your interview you need to quickly and clearly introduce yourself to the hiring decision-maker, reassure them that you understand the job or opportunity you are seeking, convince them that you have the background necessary to be successful in the job, and express your enthusiasm to be hired.  It's a good idea to put some ideas down on paper before conducting the interview.  Jot down some notes in each of these categories to start:

• Who I am
• What are the requirements of the job that I seek
• Aspects of my background that match the requirements of the job
• My enthusiasm for being hired

2. Register for the BigInterview system at SuccessWorks.  UW-Madison has invested in an interview training tool called BigInterview.  To use this tool, go to the web site successworks.biginterview.com and click the "Register" button.   

3. Conduct your mock interview.  Once you are registered and signed into the BigInterview system, click the “Assignments” menu in the top blue bar.  A blue box will appear and ask you for an assignment code.  Use this code: eef8f5

You will listen to the interview questions by clicking the “Play” button and record your responses by clicking the “Record” button.  (Make sure to do this mock interview assignment from a computer with a webcam and microphone!)  

Once you have answered all of the questions click "submit" in the bottom left-hand side.

Your practice interview will be reviewed by the BigInterview system, and you will receive direct feedback.  

Please note: Algorithmic evaluation of an online interview is an increasingly common screening tactic used by many employers -- whether effective or not, it is good to understand how such a system would interpret your performance!  

4. Reflect on the experience.  Briefly answer the following three questions in a short reflection essay (one page):

• Which question was the easiest to answer, and why?
• Which question was the most difficult to answer, and why? 
• What kinds of things do you think are most important to consider before participating in an online audio/video interview?

5. Turn it in.  Upload your reflection to Canvas to receive credit for this assignment.

Notes on this assignment

• Review the SuccessWorks guide to interviewing basics and  sample interview questions
• SuccessWorks often holds mock interview sessions with “live” interviewers from area employers.  Check the SuccessWorks web site for schedule.

Read more about it

• Taking Initiative Student Guide chapter 08, "Communicating your value" 
• Katharine Brooks, You Majored in What? chapter 09, "Making the employer care."