Why You Should Hold a Mock Interview with a Friend for a Job You Want

We've noted in the past that a little role playing can help you out when preparing for an important job interview, but common thought puts you in the place of the interviewee.

Experienced hiring managers who have interviewed many candidates will often say they don't get nervous at their own job interviews anymore, because they've done so many interviews from the other side and understand how an interviewer's mind works. You can get a bit of this benefit by playing the interviewer yourself. If you have a job-searching friend, suggest that you practice together - taking turns playing the part of the interviewer. You might be surprised by how much more comfortable it makes you both feel.

This makes sense. It puts you in a situation to think about the questions you'd want to know if you had to hire someone for the same job, ultimately preparing you for what to expect. You'll also get to hear your friend look for answers you might not have thought of and expand your library of options when responding to the questions for real. Next time you try a mock interview, don't forget to do the interviewing, too.