Mock Interview Program

Quick Links

The Career Services Center conducts a mock interview program for students and alumni. This program provides both groups the opportunity to polish their interview skills.

To participate, choose from these 3 great options:

  1. Sign up for a mock interview with our Employer of the Day
  2. Mock Interview with a Career Counselor
  3. Mock Interview for a Zoom or phone screen with a Career Counselor

Employer of the Day

Make a 30 minute appointment with a real-world employer. Get help on your resume, interview preparation, industry research, or search advice. Sign up for an appointment on Handshake.  We have three Employer of the Day opportunities each semester.

Preparation:

  • Read up on and be prepared to speak about that Employer during your mock interview.
  • Look at our resources on the CSC Website regarding interview preparation.
  • Dress professionally on the day of the interview (conservative business attire, haircut, shoes shined, etc.).
  • If you will be unable to make your scheduled interview, phone Career Services at least 24 hours in advance so someone else can use that time slot.

The Interview:

  • Show up for the interview about 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Sign in on the UC 5th Floor.
  • Interviews are scheduled for 30 minutes and include a brief resume review, open dialogue with the interviewer, a formal "mock interview" and a critique.
  • Mock Interviews can be videotaped and reviewed with the counselor.  If you would like to take a copy of the video with you, please bring an empty 2GB thumb drive.  Please note that Career Services will not keep a copy of the recording.

Follow-up

  • A thank you note to the interviewer is strongly recommended. The address can be obtained from the CSC front desk.
  • You will be asked to complete a Mock Interview Evaluation.

Signing up with a Career Counselor for an in-person mock interview

  • Sign up for a mock interview through Handshake or by calling Career Services at 415-422-6216 or stopping by our office on the UC 5th Floor.

Preparation:

  • You do not need to be professionally dressed, but you should bring a resume and job description for the type of job you are seeking.
  • Come prepared with interview questions that you usually have trouble answering and that you would like the counselor to focus on in the mock interview.

The Interview:

  • Show up for the interview about 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Sign in on the UC 5th Floor.
  • Interviews are scheduled for 45 minutes and include a brief resume review, open dialogue with the interviewer, a formal "mock interview" and a critique.
  • Mock Interviews can be videotaped and reviewed with the counselor.  If you would like to take a copy of the video with you, please bring an empty 2GB thumb drive.  Please note that Career Services will not keep a copy of the recording.

Signing up with a Career Counselor for a mock interview Zoom or phone screen 

  • Sign up for a mock interview Zoom or phone screen with a Career Counselor through Handshake or by calling Career Services at 415-422-6216 or stopping by our office on the UC 5th Floor.

Preparation:

  • The majority of employers conduct a phone screen interview as the first step in the interview process. 
  • Preparing for a phone screen mock interview is different than preparing for an in-person interview in that you don’t need to worry about what you’re wearing or your non-verbal behavior, but you do need to prepare for the phone screen.  The career counselor will ask a few key questions about your education, skills, experience, and career objectives. In actual phone screens, your answers will help the recruiter determine whether it's worth bringing you into the office for an in person interview.  
  • During the phone screen mock interview the career counselor will be evaluating your voice intonation, your ability to give succinct answers, and why you think you are a good fit for the position.  The career counselor will also be sharing other valuable tips to a successful phone screen, such as smiling when you speak.  When you do this, you sound more upbeat and therefore more enthusiastic about the position.
  • Please email the career counselor prior to your phone screen your resume, real or mock job description and the best phone number to reach you.

The Interview:

  • The Career Counselor will call you at the appointed time.
  • Interviews are scheduled for 30 minutes and include a brief resume review, the "mock interview" phone screen and a critique.