Students losing sleep over their first job interview after graduation now have an opportunity to practice before the big day.
The College of Business Johnson Career Center (JCC) will host mock job interviews for university students this Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students hoping to fine-tune their interview skills can stop by for a practice round and receive advice from employers on definite “to do’s” and “not to do’s.”
“It’s stress-free environment to practice difficult interview questions, as well as give the students feedback on the answers they give,” JCC Resume Coordinator Meridian Riley said. “We hope that students will gain an understanding of how to answer interview questions and be more comfortable in interviews.”
Students can expect tips on which questions to prepare for and how to answer them, and to become familiar with the STAR technique. This “behavioral interview technique” focuses on responses to anecdotal questions where the prospective employee details a “Situation or Task, the Action taken, and the Results achieved.”
Some UW students are thrilled by the opportunity. Seasoned interviewees and newcomers alike are excited for the opportunity to work on one of the most important, and often most stressful, aspects of the job searching process.
For some students these sessions are one of the few opportunities available before they walk into real interviews. Julian Wade, a UW sophomore, said the mock interviews can be critical. “I think they’re a wonderful opportunity for the students of UW. I would make it a top priority,” Wade said.
JCC uses a rotating cast of “employers” for the mock interviews. Southern Wine and Spirits of America, Inc. will hold the interviews during Friday’s session, although the JCC expects to have many different employers hold practice sessions in the future.
“Our goal is to eventually have a day of mock interviews each month,” Riley said, “so it will definitely be happening again.”
To register, visit the UW2Career website at http://www.uwyo.edu/cacs/career-services/uwcareer.html.
