The Best Way to Conduct a Mock Job Interview

You will not regret taking time to conduct a mock job interview. The benefits are many. You get to practice prior to the real job interview, to shake out all the jitters, and to face some of the questions the hiring manager will ask. Here are some steps to take to prepare for your mock job interviews.

Ask a friend to stand in as the interviewer.
Discover some of the most likely questions by checking with your social network and studying the job description online or wherever you made your first contact.
Dress the part, even though this is a practice session. Suit or slacks and sport coat for men; dress or skirt or slacks, blouse, and jacket for women.
Make a list of questions you want to ask the interviewer.
Assemble on paper or in your mind a few real-life stories that illustrate your employment achievements and solutions to on-the-job dilemmas.

Go Over the Details With the Mock Interviewer

Spend some time setting up the mock interview so your friend will know how to behave and what to expect. You'll want your practice session to be as close to the ‘real’ thing as possible. But if something unexpected occurs you’ll be able to handle it because you’ve prepared thoroughly.

As your friend asks you the questions you're likely to hear from the employer, be sure to answer with examples from your real-life job experience, not simply a set of dry facts. In addition, ask your mock interviewer to throw a curve or two in the form of some questions you didn't have on your list. This will test your ability to handle the unpredictable.

Get It On Tape

Finally, ask someone to videotape your mock interview so you can go over it several times before your real interview. You might be surprised at how many little things you’ll notice that you'll want to correct or change.

Appearance
Eye contact
Tone of voice
Pacing of sentences
Unconscious habits (jingling change in your pocket, cracking knuckles, etc.)
Facial tics (blinking, licking lips, touching chin, etc.)

Also, don’t forget to ask your mock interviewer to critique you so you’ll be completely ready for the real thing.