Mock Interview Mentor Guide

Students:
Time:
Materials:

3rd year
60 minutes
Homework Stamp
Cover Letter & Resume Rubric
Mock Interview Evaluation Form (2 per student)
HLI Business Cards
Timer

Homework Review (15 min)

Allow the students to share their interview checklists with the group
(Remember to stamp homework Sheets)
Have students exchange (preferably 2 times) updated cover letters and
resumes and do peer reviews on the cover letter and resume. Students
should use the following rubrics to assist with their evaluations.
Cover letter rubric:
http://rop.mercedlearn.org/for_teachers/forms/docs/rop_employablility_skills_portfolio/Cover
%20Letter%20Rubric.pdf
Resume Rubric:
http://rop.mercedlearn.org/for_teachers/forms/docs/rop_employablility_skills_portfolio/Resume
%20Rubric.pdf

Allow students to ask any questions they may have concerning the mock
interview
Mock Interviews (45 min)
Explain the mock interview process to the students. Give each student a
copy of the mock interview evaluation form and briefly discuss.
Organize students (either on volunteer basis or based on age, last name,
first name, etc..) and have them sit in the hallway in order.
Due to the number of students, 2-3 interviews (1 mentor per interview) will have to
go on simultaneously.
Each interview should only last between 8-10 minutes. (Please set timer
to ensure the interview doesnt run over because time is very limited) The
interview outline is below.
A Mock Interview Evaluation form should be completed for each student during the
interview, and a total score should be calculated at the end.
Please write your name on the generic HLI business cards provided and give to
student at the completion of the interview. Hopefully, they will use this information to
properly follow up with the interview.
Students should complete their copy of the mock interview
evaluation form after they have completed the interview

Mock Interview Outline

I. Introduction: See if the student offers a firm handshake and keeps eye contact
II. Ask for copy of resume and references to see if student remembered to bring the appropriate
material to the interview as stated in Interviewing Skills I
III. Ask each student 5 questions to keep interview short. You can use sample questions found
below or create your own.
A. Two (2) Traditional Interview Questions
Tell me about yourself.
What are you major strengths/weaknesses?
Why should I hire you over other candidates?
What leadership roles you have had?
Why are your grades low? Do they reflect your ability?
What do you know about our organization?
What qualifications do you have that make you feel you would be
successful?
What is not on your resume that you would like to tell me?
What have you read recently?
What school activities do you enjoy the most?
What are your long-range/short-range goals? How do you plan to achieve
them?
What do you see yourself doing in five years from now?
Why did you choose the career for which you are preparing?
What would be your ideal job?
B. Two (2) Behavioral Interview Questions
Describe the best/worst team of which you have been a member.
Tell me about a time when your course load was heaviest. How did you
get all of your work done?
Give me a specific example of a time when you sold someone on an idea
of concept.
Tell me about a time when you made a bad decision.
Give me an example of a time when you had to work under pressure. Be
specific.
Give me an example of a major problem you have had and how you dealt
with it.
Give me an example of a mistake you have made. How did you overcome
it?
C. What do you know about the organization/position?
Each student should have an idea of what type of position or organization
for which they are interviewing
IV. Interviewee Questions: Ask the student do they have one (1) question for you
V. Closing the Deal
A. See if student asks about the next step of the process and for a business card
B. Write name on generic HLI business card to give to students to see if anyone will
actually follow up properly with a thank you email/letter

Mock Interview Evaluation Form

Student Name: _________________________________________________________
Evaluation Key:
NI: Needs Improvement (1 point)

G: Good (2 points)

E: Excellent (3 points)

*Evaluate the interviewees performance for each category (Bold Faced)

NI
(1)

G
(2)

E
(3)

Additional Comments

Appearance
Appropriately dressed and wellgroomed
Properly Greeted Interviewer:
Greeted interviewer with a smile, a
firm handshake, and direct eye
contact
Provided Appropriate Material:
Resume and/or portfolio were of
high quality and had all of the
correct components and formatting.
(Portfolio is appropriate in the case
of advertising, art, or education)
Effectively Responded to Questions:
Responses were relevant to the
question and specific examples
were given.
STAR method was used for
behavioral questions
Knowledgeable about the profession and
organization:
Responses and Questions were
directly related to the profession
and organization
Asked Pertinent Questions
Questions were well thought out
and were relevant to the
organization and position
Effectively Concluded the Interview
Interviewee inquired about the next
step in application process and
requested contact information
Overall Performance
Positive body language, direct eye
contact, minimal use of non-words
(i.e. um)
Total

Maximum points = 24

Overall Comments: ______________________________________________________________________

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