Mock interview: how to practise and give useful feedback
What is a mock interview?
A mock interview is a rehearsal of an interview conversation followed by feedback. It lets you practise speaking, clarifying questions and explaining evidence under realistic constraints. It is a learning exercise; its score does not predict a hiring decision.
Prepare a small, relevant question set
Choose questions from the target role: a project discussion, a technical explanation, a scenario and a behavioral example. Agree on the session length and whether the interviewer may ask follow-ups. Use public questions you are allowed to share. Avoid confidential interview materials or personal data.
Use an observable feedback rubric
Assess whether the answer addressed the question, clarified assumptions, used a concrete example and explained limitations. Write down a moment where the explanation became unclear. Give feedback about that behavior rather than labeling the candidate as good or bad. Distinguish a knowledge gap from a communication gap.
Turn feedback into the next session
Select one weak explanation, verify the underlying concept and rehearse it again without reading. Then answer a new follow-up to check transfer. If recording a session, get the participants’ consent and keep the recording private. A useful next session checks whether the earlier feedback changed the answer.
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