Mock Interview

Practice makes perfect

Looking to practice and improve your interview skills? Consider signing up for a mock interview with Career Services. We offer in-person, phone, and virtual mock interviews to get you ready for any interview that comes your way.  

What is a mock interview?

Practice does, in fact, make perfect. Our team of trained interviewers will actively interview you or review your recorded interview and provide constructive feedback on how you can improve. Our team can offer you interview prep in various ways:

• In-person mock interviews
  Come to Career Services and meet with your interviewer to get the ultimate dress rehearsal for the real thing. 

• Virtual mock interviews
  It's the new way to interview and we're here to help. Meet with your interviewer using a virtual platform and hone your skills in real-time.

Why schedule a mock interview? 

• Practice your interview answers 

• Receive feedback from trained peers and career services staff  

• Practice interview questions related to your job/internship, industry, and/or grad school 

• Obtain interview resources and material 

• Opportunity to observe yourself in an interview situation 

About the Interview

Appointments range from 30 – 60 minutes depending on the type of mock you select. Your interview will be simulated to reflect an actual interview experience.  

• Submit your resume and a job/grad school description/posting. 

• The session will be recorded, and your responses will be discussed during the feedback portion of the mock interview. 

• Mock interview requests need a minimum of 3-5 business days to schedule. Please allow enough time to process your request.

Schedule a Mock Interview

Graduate/Advanced Degree Students: Please email CSMock@psu.edu with your name, phone number, and preferred time frame

Undergraduate Students: Please Request a Mock Interview Appointment through Nittany Lion Careers:

• Log on to Nittany Lion Careers as a Current Student:  https://nittanylioncareers.psu.edu/ 
• On your home page, click COUNSELING APPT  (across top right of page) 
• First time in Nittany Lion Careers?  Make sure to follow the prompts to complete your profile before trying to schedule an appointment. 
• Click the blue REQUEST NEW APPOINTMENT box 
• Select COUNSELING TYPE as MOCK INTERVIEW 
• To see all available scheduling options, scroll down to the COUNSELOR(S) field (leaving all other fields blank) and select CS MOCK INTERVIEW 1 (University Park) 
• Scroll to the bottom and click on CHECK AVAILABILITY 
• Choose and click on a HIGHLIGHTED TIME for your mock interview 
• Navigate to the CONFIRM APPOINTMENT box 
• Choose your MEETING FORMAT (In-Person, Phone, or Virtual) 
• Add any information that you would like us to know in ADDITIONAL APPOINTMENT DETAILS or include CLASS NAME/INFORMATION when scheduling for a class assignment 
• SUBMIT 
• After you request your mock interview appointment, you will receive an email with a link to complete the MOCK INTERVIEW INTAKE FORM. This form must be completed and submitted in order to APPROVE your appt request, so please follow the directions in the email.

Any students having difficulty scheduling may email us at CSMock@psu.edu, providing their name and phone number so a staff member can call to assist them. 

Please note that you must be affiliated with the University Park campus as a current student or recent graduate to access this service. At another campus? Please contact your campus's Career Services office directly to schedule an appointment.

Penn State Alumni Association members can contact the Alumni Career Services office at 814-865-5465 or alumnicareer@psu.edu to request an appointment."

Prepare in Advance

Your interviewer will research the organization or industry that you are interested in interviewing with. Preparation on your end is key to make the experience worthwhile.

• Know yourself. Identify strengths, weaknesses, and prepare to provide examples of your skills in action.

• Research the organization and industry.

• Dress appropriately for the mock interview - dress as you would for an actual interview.

• Prepare to participate in a feedback session. Your interviewer will discuss your impression of your responses, the verbal content as well as the nonverbal communication in the interview.

Practice at Home

Create your own mock interview using your own computer. Use InterviewPrep to select questions, provide responses to interview questions, and view your interview for a self-critique after the interview.