So… You’ve landed an interview. Now what?
Going into a formal interview can be daunting and not preparing can hurt your chances of getting an offer for the position. Usually, companies and schools offer interviews after reading your application because they know you are qualified for the job. Interviews give them the chance to assess your personality and see if:
- You are a good fit and will be a good coworker
- Your application matches up with what you say
Writing an essay or answering an application question is not the same thing as answering a question during an interview. Without any practice it can be hard to formulate ideas that are concise and clear to the listener. Being able to articulate and complete your thoughts is incredibly important. To practice with a mock interview at the CCD, you can schedule the appointment online at RICElink: Powered by Handshake (access RICElink via the CCD website). On RICElink you can specify for the CCD staff member what type of interview you are practicing for (medical school, graduate school, a specific company), and they will tailor the interview to your preference.
Come to a mock interview prepared. You will gain so much more if you treat it as a real interview. You should practice a few questions beforehand and come with questions that you are planning on asking the company or school. During the mock interview, the interviewer can ask questions that will require you to talk about experiences that were 1 or 2 years ago (or more). Talking about this can help freshen up your memory on these experiences so you’re ready for the real thing, so that you aren’t panicking.
Don’t assume you will ace the interview until you actually practice one! Schedule a mock interview through RICElink: Powered by Handshake TODAY!
Truce Pham is a Peer Career Advisor from McMurtry College. She is a senior pre-med studying biochemistry and cell biology.
