Mock interviews serve as practice for the 'real thing'

Regardless of the amount of experience, the interviewing process can be stressful, nerve-racking, and can even test one's confidence. To combat these stresses to Marist students, Career Services provides the opportunity to participate in mock interviews as well as on-campus recruitment interview. Located on the third floor of the James A. Cannavino Library, Career Services gives students the chance to learn from professionals in the field, in addition to being placed in a mock interview setting.

Mock interviews are conducted by a staff member who interviews the students in the same way an employer would. Practice interviews help to sharpen a student's preparation skills, and builds the confidence needed to formulate a good answer to a question.

Desmond Murray, Assistant Director of Field Experience, said that practice is essential when preparing for an interview.

"You can never get enough practice when it comes to interviews," said Murray. "It gives you a sense of empowerment to ace a situation because you feel good about your answers."

Senior Jennifer Luongo received an e-mail from Career Services about a mock interview that was to be held.

"I have used Career Services numerous times to review my resume and cover letter," Luongo said. "This time, I wanted to improve my interviewing skills so that when I graduate in the spring I am well prepared for any question that comes my way."

Students who sign up are given a booklet to look over, which contains possible questions that may be asked during an interview. Luongo said she looked over the booklet as well as her own notes to prepare for her interview.

She received a great deal of feedback during and after the interview and was offered ideas for better ways to respond.

"I think this will help me in the future when I start going on interviews for full time positions," said Luongo. "I have been on interviews for internships in the past, but they did not get into as much detail as the mock interview did. Now if I am asked t hem on a real interview, I can be better prepared."

Luongo recommended that students take advantage of this service that Marist College has to offer. She said that it is a good chance to practice interviewing skills because there is so much riding on your performance during an interview.

To sign up for a mock interview, students can visit the Career Services website, and look out for upcoming e-mails when they are being offered.

Danielle Greenstein, a senior, did a mock interview with Enterprise-Rent-a-Car a few days before she went on an interview in the city.

"Some of the questions the interviewer asked me I would have never thought of on my own," said Greenstein. "It made me feel more confident going to my interview a few days later."

Greenstein said was impressed by the help she was given by the interviewer.

"The feedback after each question is very helpful so that you know what to say and not to say the next time you're asked the same question," said Greenstein. "This service helped me get a feel for my strengths and weaknesses and how to improve the way you present yourself."

Another service that this college provides is on-campus recruitment. This is targeted towards graduating seniors, which will help them prepare for full time employment.

For this service, students submit their resumes, and if an employer has a particular student in mind, he or she will come to Marist to conduct an interview.

This past semester recruiters from IBM, the Internal Revenue Service, Johnson & Johnson, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, M&T Bank, Louis Vuitton, and Liz Claiborne were interested in interviewing Marist students.

According to Murray, this service is ideal for students because the employer comes to them rather than the students traveling a couple of hours for a half-hour or less interview.

"On-campus recruitment does not require much except preparation and confidence," said Murray. "You don't have to leave campus, all you have to do is dress in business attire, bring a portfolio, and be prepared."

It is the same procedure that students would undergo with an employer, except it helps them to focus on their while securing a position in the workforce, said Murray.

Before her mock interview, Greenstein used "The Perfect Interview," on the website, which asks real interview questions and allows you to write your own response and get immediate feedback.

Carly Pavlock, a junior, said on-campus recruitment is worthwhile for students because of the convenience factor.

"I've done an interview on campus for an internship and I liked it just because it was more convenient for me and I didn't have to worry about going to them," said Pavlock. "Plus I think it's less intimidating being in your surroundings rather than actually going to an office."