Given the current job market in tech and perhaps overall white-collar jobs in general, it is important for folks to up their interview game, or at least refine it back to their best self.
Ofcourse, working on your technical skills and subject matter in terms of interview prep is crucial. Go for it!
Another key aspect that you can work on, though, would be Mock Interviews.
Mock interviews for tech roles are practice interviews that simulate the experience of an actual job interview.
They are designed to help candidates prepare for the types of questions and scenarios they may encounter in an actual interview, and to identify areas where they may need to improve.
How Mock Interviews Work
Candidates typically sign up for a mock interview service online, and then schedule an interview at a time that works for them.
The interview is conducted via video call, and is typically conducted by a professional or domain expert in the field of the candidate's desired job.
The interviewer will ask the candidate a series of questions and provide feedback on the candidate's answers, including areas where they excelled and areas where they need to improve. To know more about the step-wise progression of a mock interview engagement, check out this resource on how mock interviews work.
Who Candidates Interview With
Candidates typically interview with a professional or domain expert in the field of the job they are applying for. These experts have experience conducting real job interviews, and have a good understanding of what employers are looking for in a candidate.
The best mock interview websites allow candidates to choose from their pool of pre-vetted mock interviewers, based on their target role and company, and their experience. This can be helpful for candidates who want to receive targeted, more realistic feedback from someone with specific expertise or experience in their desired field.
For example, a candidate applying for an Engineering Manager role could choose a mock interviewer who has experience as an Engineering Manager or a similar role. This person would have a good understanding of the skills, experience, and qualifications required for the role, and could provide valuable feedback on the candidate's answers and overall performance. They may also be able to provide insight into the day-to-day responsibilities and challenges of the role, as well as any specific qualifications or experience required by the company or industry.
Why It's Better to Interview with a Professional or Domain Expert
If not a professional, your other options are friends, family, or co-workers.
For obvious reasons, you are unlikely to reap any meaningful benefits by practising your interviews with them
Since you are probably already comfortable around them, it won't do much to calm your nerves or feel confident about your upcoming interview
Your friend or co-worker may not have the same level of expertise and objectivity.
Alternatively, they may be bad at giving feedback, or worse, you might find it offensive.
To make sure you make the most out of your mock interview sessions, it's best to interview with a domain expert who can objectively analyse your skills and qualifications, and won't unnecessarily sugarcoat their feedback.
Professional or domain experts have experience conducting real job interviews, and have a good understanding of what employers are looking for in a candidate.
Once you receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses, you can count on them to help you improve your performance in those specific areas.
For example, if you feel system design interviews are particularly challenging for you, you can choose to undergo evaluation in that specific segment. This will increase your chances of success significantly as you will become comfortable with system design questions as well as deepen your technical knowledge of specific system design concepts.
Professional mock interviewers can also provide valuable feedback on areas such as communication, body language, and how to effectively answer system design, data structure, and behavioural questions.
How Many Mock Interviews Should One Do
The number of mock interviews one should do will depend on the individual. Some candidates may feel confident after one or two mock interviews, while others may need more practice.
It is a good idea to do at least a couple of mock interviews to get a sense of how the process works and to identify areas where you need to improve.
Additional Services You Can Expect
Some mock interview services also offer additional services such as:
Resume review and feedback: You can have recruiters or field experts review your resume and provide feedback on your resume content, structure, and format.
What to Do If You're Not Satisfied with a Mock Interview
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of a mock interview or you feel it wasn't as productive as you'd hoped, it is important to communicate your concerns to the service provider.
They may be able to offer additional support or resources to help you improve. They may also direct you to a different mock interviewer to see if it better meets your needs.
Have more pointers about mock interviews based on your experience as a candidate/recruiter/interviewer? Feel free to share, look forward to it!
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