How do you improve your interviewing skills with role-playing?

1 Benefits of role-playing

Role-playing can help you improve your interviewing skills in several ways. First, it can help you identify and overcome your weaknesses, such as nervousness, lack of preparation, or poor communication. Second, it can help you rehearse and refine your answers to common or challenging questions, such as your strengths, weaknesses, or salary expectations. Third, it can help you get feedback and suggestions from your partner, who can point out your strengths and areas for improvement. Fourth, it can help you build your confidence and comfort level with the interview process, which can reduce your anxiety and increase your performance.

2 How to choose a partner

To get the most out of role-playing, you need to choose a partner who can act as a credible and constructive interviewer. Ideally, your partner should be someone who has experience or knowledge in the field or industry you are applying for, or someone who has strong interviewing skills themselves. You can ask a friend, a colleague, a mentor, or a coach to be your partner. Alternatively, you can use online platforms or services that connect you with professional interviewers or coaches who can provide you with personalized feedback and guidance.

3 How to set up a scenario

Before you start role-playing, you need to set up a realistic and relevant scenario that matches the type and level of the job you are applying for. You can use the job description, the company website, or the industry trends to create a scenario that reflects the expectations and challenges of the role. You should also prepare a list of questions that your partner can ask you, based on the scenario and the common or specific skills and qualities required for the job. You can use online resources or books to find sample questions, or you can create your own based on your research and experience.

4 How to conduct a session

To conduct a role-playing session, you need to follow some basic steps and guidelines. First, you need to agree on a time and place for the session, and make sure you have a quiet and comfortable environment. Second, you need to dress and act professionally, as if you were in a real interview. Third, you need to start the session with a brief introduction and a handshake, and then proceed with the questions and answers. Fourth, you need to end the session with a thank you and a follow-up question, and then exchange feedback and suggestions with your partner. Fifth, you need to repeat the session with different scenarios and questions, until you feel confident and prepared for the real interview.

5 How to use feedback

Feedback is an essential part of role-playing, as it can help you improve your interviewing skills and address your gaps. You should ask your partner to give you honest and constructive feedback on your performance, focusing on both your strengths and areas for improvement. You should also give feedback to your partner, if they are also practicing their interviewing skills. You should use feedback to identify and work on your weaknesses, such as improving your body language, clarifying your answers, or providing more examples. You should also use feedback to reinforce and enhance your strengths, such as highlighting your achievements, expressing your enthusiasm, or asking insightful questions.

6 How to measure your progress

Role-playing can help you measure your progress and evaluate your interviewing skills over time. You can use different methods and tools to track and assess your improvement, such as recording and reviewing your sessions, using rating scales or checklists, or asking for feedback from different partners or sources. You can also use role-playing to test yourself on different aspects of interviewing, such as your knowledge, your communication, or your personality. By measuring your progress, you can see how far you have come, what you have learned, and what you still need to work on.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?