Mock interview days are valuable opportunities for students to practise and refine their interview skills in a simulated environment. As a parent, you play a crucial role in supporting your child as they prepare for these important experiences.
This guide offers practical tips and strategies to help your child feel confident and prepared for their mock interview day.
Why do schools offer Mock Interviews?
All school children in Cumbria are offered the opportunity to attend a mock interview so that they can develop skills and experience an interview before they leave school.
This mock interview may be with a teacher or member of staff or local employers who volunteer their time and coe into school on allocated mock interview days.
These sessions are designed to mimic real job interviews and provide students with constructive feedback on their performance.
Encourage your child to approach mock interviews as learning opportunities rather than high-pressure assessments. There is no “right or wrong” this is purely an exercise for them to gain exposure to an interview and learn.
What research and preparation should my child do before a Mock Interview?
Help your child research the types of questions commonly asked in interviews. Practise general interview questions and develop thoughtful responses based on their skills, experiences, and goals.
Here are some questions that may be asked and some model example answers you can explore:
1. Tell me about yourself
Model Answer– “Sure! My name is Alice, and I’m currently studying my GCSE’s at Cumbria Academy in Workington. I’m passionate about animals, and I help out at my local stables. I’m excited about exploring different career opportunities in the animal sector as I love working with and being around animals. I have 2 dogs and have always been around animals.”
2. What are your strengths?
Model Answer – “One of my strengths is my ability to work well in a team. I enjoy working with others and bouncing ideas around with my friends. I have worked in a team as part of [sports team, club or hobby, school project] and really thrived in this environment.”
3. What are your weaknesses?
Model Answer – “I would say that one of my weaknesses is that I sometimes have difficulty saying no to people. For example, in my Saturday job I often get asked to do extra hours and I tend to say yes even if I think it will be too much with my studies and other hobbies. I like to be helpful but I know that I need to say no more when it’s needed.”
4. Can you give an example of a time when you faced a challenge and how you overcame it?
Model Answer – “Last year, I was part of a group project where we had to deliver a presentation to our class. We encountered some challenges along the way, including disagreements about how the presentation should be divided up between us. To overcome these challenges, we decided to pull people’s names out of a hat to decide which bits people would present. This felt fair and everyone was happy.”
5. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Model Answer – “In five years, I see myself working with Children. I’m excited about exploring different career paths in teaching and gaining hands-on experience. I am considering an apprenticeship as a TA but I am also thinking about going to uni to become a primary Teacher.”
6. What motivates you?
Model Answer – “I’m motivated by teamwork and being with others. I really enjoy playing football and I play for a local team. I like how we are all in it together and when we win it’s a shared sense of achievement. I feel proud of the games we have won and how hard we all train every week.”
7. Do you have any questions for us?
Model Answer – “Yes, I would like to know more about what a typical day would be like working as an accountant as I am thinking of going to uni to study accountancy. I’m also keen to know more about what sort of salaries I could earn as a newly qualified accountant when I finish uni and if your company takes on graduates.”
Top Tip – To create personalised answers to strengths and weaknesses you can explore the Essential Skills section below. By choosing 2 or 3 of these Essential Skills that your child recognises they hold examples of, they can then expand on these examples in mock interviews.
Exploring Essential Skills
Essential skills are those highly transferable skills that everyone needs to do almost any job, which make specific knowledge and technical skills fully productive. These are different from basic skills (literacy, numeracy and digital skills) and technical skills (specific to a particular sector or role):
These 8 essential skills can be contextualised for a young person helping them understand their importance and application in real-world scenarios. Explore below to see which of these skills resonate most with your child;
Essential Skills
1. Listening
Listening is like paying close attention during a class discussion or while receiving instructions for a group project. Just as you need to understand and remember what is being said to contribute effectively, strong listening skills are crucial in any job. They help you grasp details, follow directions, and collaborate with people in the workplace.
2. Speaking
Speaking clearly and confidently is similar to giving a presentation in front of your class or discussing your ideas during a team project. Being able to express your thoughts and share information effectively helps in communicating with team members, clients, or customers in a workplace setting.
3. Problem Solving
Problem-solving is like figuring out how to tackle a tricky homework assignment or finding a solution when a group project isn’t going as planned. In a job, you’ll use these skills to address challenges, come up with creative solutions, and find ways to overcome obstacles that arise.
4. Creativity
Creativity is like coming up with a unique idea for a school project or finding a new way to approach a problem in a science experiment. In the workplace, being creative allows you to innovate, think outside the box, and contribute fresh ideas that can drive progress and improve processes.
5. Staying Positive
Staying positive is like keeping a good attitude even when you face setbacks, like a poor grade on an assignment or a sports game loss. Maintaining a positive outlook helps you stay motivated, overcome challenges, and remain resilient in the face of difficulties in your future career.
6. Aiming High
Aiming high is like setting ambitious goals for your academic performance or striving to achieve excellence in extracurricular activities. By setting clear objectives and working diligently to achieve them, you’ll be better prepared to pursue your career goals and reach your full potential.
7. Leadership
Leadership is like taking charge of a group project, guiding your team, and making sure everyone contributes towards achieving the project’s goals. In the workplace, being a leader means motivating and supporting your colleagues, taking initiative, and driving success for your team or organisation.
8. Teamwork
Teamwork is like working collaboratively with your classmates on a group assignment or participating in a team sport. Effective teamwork in a job means working well with others, sharing ideas, and supporting each other to achieve common objectives and complete tasks efficiently.
Dress for Success
Discuss the importance of dressing professionally (whether in uniform or business attire) for mock interviews. Encourage your child to choose attire that is appropriate for the industry and reflects a polished, professional image. Remind them to pay attention to grooming and hygiene to make a positive first impression.
Mock Interview Practice
Conduct mock interviews at home to help your child feel more comfortable with the interview format. Take turns playing the role of the interviewer and asking typical interview questions. Provide constructive feedback on their responses, body language, and overall presentation. Emphasise the importance of maintaining eye contact, speaking clearly, and showcasing confidence. Practise a good firm handshake!
Focus on Strengths and Achievements
Encourage your child to highlight their strengths, achievements, and relevant experiences during mock interviews. Help them identify key talking points and examples that demonstrate their qualifications and suitability for the role. Remind them to speak confidently about their skills and accomplishments without sounding boastful.
Handling Common Interview Challenges
Prepare your child to handle common interview challenges, such as answering difficult questions or managing nerves. Teach them strategies for staying calm under pressure, explain that they can ask for clarification if they don’t understand a question. Remind them to smile as this releases endorphins and reduces nerves.
Dealing with Nerves
It’s completely normal for your child to feel nervous before a mock interview. Let them know that it’s okay to experience butterflies in their stomach or sweaty palms—it’s a natural response to a challenging situation. Encourage them to acknowledge their feelings without judging themselves. Remind your child that nerves are different from anxiety and can be used to their advantage. Explain that nerves show that we care about something and that once it’s over we get a real sense of achievement.
Post-Interview Reflection
After each mock interview session, encourage your child to reflect on their performance and identify areas for improvement. Discuss the feedback they received from the interviewer and discuss how they can learn from this to improve their interview skills. Emphasise the fact that this was a mock and is a practice!
Ask them these questions and then explore answers;
- What do you think went well?
- What could have gone better?
- Was it what you thought it would be like?
- What would you do differently next time?
Conclusion
By providing guidance, support, and encouragement, you can help your child feel confident and prepared for mock interview days. Encourage them to approach these experiences with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn from feedback. With practice and perseverance, they can develop the skills and confidence needed to excel in real-world interviews and pursue their career.
Remember, the goal is not perfection but progress.