MOCK INTERVIEW PRACTICE TIPS
1. Things to keep in mind
2. Introduction
3. Company/role knowledge and fit
4. Other questions
· T
hings to keep in mind
- Dress appropriately (no Jeans, Tshirts, sneakers or chains)
- Speak up but don’t shout
- Be confident, truthful and respectful at all times
- Mind your posture and body language, and maintain eye contact
- Wear smile at all times
- Be on time
· I ntroduction
Before you go for the interview, research the role and the organization and think through what
skills, personality traits and knowledge would help you fit in best within the organization and
perform well in the role. Make sure to highlight these when introducing yourself. An employer
may ask you different questions that help them to know you better; Tell me about yourself? Who
are you? Walk me through your background etc. The main point is that the employer wants to
understand who you are and how hiring you may add value to their organization.
Key areas to cover are; Who you are (Professionally), what expertise you have, and why
you are there(interviewing for the role). Think about;
ØEducation background and motivation for choosing it
ØWork/life experience you might have
ØCharacter/personality traits that can come in handy on the jobs
ØDemonstrated skills/achievements that would make you a good fit
ØAmbition/life goal aligned with the company/role
Do’s
ØBe prepared beforehand about what you want to share
ØRemember the CAR method of storytelling
ØKeep it short
ØKeep it work-related
ØMake sure it's personal and memorable
ØShare facts to highlight your achievements
Don’ts
ØStart talking and think about what you say as you go.
ØRepeat what's already in your CV
ØTalk about personal details like how many siblings you have or where you live, marital status
etc
ØSound desperate or negative; keep a positive tone even if you share challenges you might have
met
ØDon’t brag or be overly modest.
Some questions an employer can ask to get to know you better
1. T
ell us about yourself/ how would you describe yourself/ what makes you unique?
2. W
hat are your greatest strengths and/or weaknesses?
3. W
hat accomplishment are you most proud of?
4. W
hat failure are you most disappointed with and what lessons did you learn from it?
5. W
here do you see yourself in 5 years?
6. W
hat motivates you? How do you organize yourself?
· C
ompany and role fit
An employer is interviewing you for a particular role and wants to know if you can carry out the
required duties well and if you fit into their organizational culture. For you to be able to
demonstrate that you are the best fit, you need to first and foremost understand the organization
and the role. This is why it is important to research both the organization and the role very
carefully before your interview.
Some key information to look for when conducting company research
ØWhen and where did the company begin? How big/small is the company?
ØWhat is their vision/mission/objective/values? What are they trying to achieve?
ØWhat is their core business? Who are their competitors and why?
ØWhat is their organizational culture like?
ØWhat are some of the things they do exceptionally well and what are some of the areas they
struggle?
ØHow does the role fit into the organization?
ØHow much do people in that/similar roles earn whether it is in within the company or the
industry
After understanding all these, think about yourself and how you fit into and/or would contribute
to the growth of the organization. This includes how to best fulfil the responsibilities of the role
but also beyond that how to reach the overall organization’s goals. Make sure you mention
specific details about the organization and/or the role that you are interested in and why, that you
can contribute to and how, and what about the organization you think sets it apart from others in
the industry.
Some of the questions an employer may ask
ØWhat do you know about XXX organization?
ØWhy are you interested in working with us? What about this role excites you?
ØWhat do you think is the most important part of the job you are applying for?
ØHow will doing your job well contribute to the organization’s success?
ØWhat are some of the first things you would do if hired for this role?
ØWhy should we select you for this role and not the other equally qualified candidates?
Other questions that may come up in interviews
There are other questions the employer may ask that may seem difficult to answer, or that you
may have difficulty understanding why the employer is asking them. Do not give in to the
temptation to lie. Always be honest in answering, and avoid sharing information that may hurt
your chances.
Some questions an employer may ask
ØWhat do you do for fun/ in your free time? (Keep your answers clean. E.g Sports vs Getting
drunk on a Friday night)
ØWhat kind of work environment do you prefer? (Think about the organization’s work
environment and whether you would enjoy it. If not, don’t trash it. Share your preference and
then highlight your ability to adapt to different situations)
ØWhat is your salary expectation? (share a realistic expectation based on your research and be
open to negotiations)
ØDo you have any questions for us? (Only ask genuine questions, not simply for the sake of
asking). You can ask about something specific about the role/organization that wasn’t clear to
you, or something about the company in the news etc.
Some good questions you can ask may include
· What are the next steps in the interview process?
· What does it take for someone to be a good employee at this company?
· Is it possible for someone to follow up in case you don’t receive a
response?
· What do you enjoy the most about working here?
· When should I expect feedback on this interview
