Mock Interview Sessions

In the past year and a half, I participated in 209 mock interviews (yes, I really counted). Week 2 of Teaching Gen-Z from Gen-Z: How to Beat the Job Market When I started prepping for product case interviews, I bought the books, watched the courses—but nothing helped like actually practicing and applying those principles. I struggled. I’d freeze mid-interview, forget frameworks, and sometimes peek at notes (which you can’t do in a real interview). That changed when I started using ChatGPT to simulate mock interviews—on demand, whatever time of the night, with real-time feedback. Here’s the prompt I used (voice chat works great): “Today I’m practicing a [product sense/estimation/strategy] case. Provide me the question(or give it one from a question bank). Score me 1–10 on: – Objective – Pain points – User empathy – Solutions – Communication I may check in as if I’m the candidate. You can say ‘you may continue.’ Don’t respond or score anything until I say the word: dinosaur.” (You can change the parameters of the sections based on the type of interview by the way(consulting business, business analyst, and etc) This helped me build confidence, improve specific details in between interviews, and practice under less pressure. Bonus: You can also recap past mocks and get second-opinion feedback. Pro tip: Pause between sections. It helps the model process better—and it trains you to slow down and think. As far as actual mock interviews I recommend: -TryExponent(especially when you're starting). -Slack Channels for your niche( for me this was Product Haven ). -StellarPeers(for all professional ranges but I found more advanced interviewers (even a director of product once)). If you’re applying to roles in the next recruiting cycle, the time is NOW to begin your prep. And of course, if you like or find this helpful please like and give it a repost to support :)

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽: 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴! If you’re waiting to feel 𝟭𝟬𝟬% 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 before an interview, here’s the hard truth I learned from my brother: you’ll never feel fully prepared. There will always be more resources to read, more Leetcode questions to practice, and more topics to explore. But here’s what I’ve learned—𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻; 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲. Spend 50% of your time preparing and the other 50% doing mock interviews. Give at least 1 mock interview every day before your interview. Personally, I’ve been using Exponent for my mock interviews. They have options for different topics, like Product Management, System Design, DSA, Behavioral, SQL, and Data Science & ML. You get paired with peers who help you practice in a realistic, low-pressure setting. Mock interviews not only sharpen your skills but, more importantly, build the confidence you need when it matters most. Mock interviews have taught me how to communicate my thought process clearly, handle unexpected questions, and most importantly stay calm under pressure. So, if you’re preparing for an interview, my advice is: don’t just prepare—practice! That confidence boost can be your secret weapon in the hot seat. What’s your go-to strategy for interview prep? Let me know in the comments!

Candidates who do mock interviews have a higher likelihood of turning an interview into an offer - here’s a guide to help you set up mock interviews ↓ Most people "prepare" by reading the JD. Then they'll use ChatGPT for common questions. But when they get in front of a real person... They freeze 🥶 I've done mock interviews with my friends. Former bosses. And recruiters. They get you comfortable speaking directly to a human. Here’s how to run a mock interview with anyone and make it count: 👥 𝟭. 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 Your mock partner doesn’t need to be a recruiter. They do need to give honest feedback. Choose someone who: → Has interviewed or hired before → Works in or understands your industry → Isn’t afraid to challenge weak answers 🎯 𝟮. 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹 Before you meet, decide what you’re working on: → “I want to improve my ‘About Me’ pitch.” → “I need feedback on STAR-format answers.” → “I’m prepping for a real interview at [Company].” 📆 𝟯. 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 → Block 30–60 minutes → Share your resume, job description, and target role → Ask your partner to prepare 5+ questions in advance 🎭 𝟰. 𝗘𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 → Roleplay the interview all the way through → Pause after each question for feedback → Rerun answers with improvements → Break character only for deep feedback 🧠 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗽: Record the session. Watch it back and notice habits, filler words, or rambling answers. Upload the transcript to ChatGPT and ask it for feedback. There are AI tools that can help. I think you should use those too. But it's also great to get in front of a real-life human. Mock interviews lead to confidence, clarity, and control. 📌 Save this post or share it with a job-seeking friend.

Last week Thao Ngo 💜 and I held a marketing ops interview bootcamp - with live mock interviews and feedback from hiring managers. Here were the takeaways: 1️⃣ Interviews are a two-way street. You’re not just answering questions—you’re gathering intel. What’s the team culture like? How does leadership measure success? The way the hiring manager answers these questions will tell you if this is the right place for you to grow. 2️⃣ Your story is your differentiator. When someone asks, “Tell me about yourself,” don’t list your résumé. Tell a story. Share your experiences, skills, and passions in a way that connects the dots between your expertise and what they need. Show them not just what you’ve done, but why it matters. 3️⃣ “What’s your greatest weakness?” isn’t a trick question. This is where you demonstrate self-awareness and growth. For example: “Time management used to be a challenge for me, but I’ve been using time-blocking and prioritization techniques to stay organized—and it’s been a game-changer.”Your answer doesn’t need to be perfect. It needs to show you’re someone who learns and improves. 4️⃣ Showcase impact. Always. Situational questions aren’t just “what would you do?” They’re “what have you done?” Talk about the actions you took and the results you drove. For example: “I implemented an automated reporting workflow, cutting our reporting time by 40% and enabling better campaign decisions.” Hiring managers want to see how you approach challenges and deliver outcomes. 5️⃣ Confidence + humility = magic. Confidence without arrogance is a winning combination. Practice answering questions so you feel prepared, but don’t hesitate to acknowledge areas you’re still working on. This balance makes you credible and human. 6️⃣ Come prepared with smart questions. The best candidates don’t just rehearse answers—they ask thoughtful questions. Dig into the company, the team, and the role ahead of time. This not only shows you’re invested, but also gives you clarity about whether this is the right opportunity for you. Here’s the bottom line: the best interviews are conversations, not interrogations. You’re there to demonstrate your value and evaluate theirs. What interview tips have worked well for you? Big thanks to our judges Abby Koble, MBA and Josh Hill and BIG admiration to our brave mock candidates Christina Snell, Jomar Ebalida, and Carolanne M.. PS: Join the next huddle where we talk about how to handle conflict in marketing ops, sign up in the link in the comments. #marketing #martech #marketingoperations #interview

I must have attended 70+ tech interviews during my time at Meta either as interviewer or interviewee. Based on my experience one thing that prepares you the best for a coding rounds are mock interviews. Of course you know DSA, but Mocks help you master your timing, your nerves, your confidence, etc.,. which are equally important during the interview. Whenever I prepared for my coding round I used to prepare for like 2 months and then: 1. Convince my friends to interview me (Low cost, NOT serious, availability issues), and 2. Pay a professional for a mock interview (Effective but expensive like $100 /hr) Whatever little success I had can easily be attributed to these mock interviewers. Ever since LLMs got better I was thinking of building an AI mock interviewer who could be connected to Leetcode etc. But could never get to it. So when I saw VAPI launched a challenge I took the opportunity. So here I am introducing "Mocksy" 😃 It is an Open Source AI interviewer that could help you prepare for your next coding round. Mocksy can - > See and evaluate what you are doing > Nudge you in right direction if you are lost > Generates a detailed analysis of your performance So if you are preparing for a coding round pls do give it a try (link in comments) and let me know what do you think. Any contributions and ideas are also welcome (github in comments). Good luck with your interview 👍 #buildwithvapi

I recently had the opportunity to do a mock interview with Exponent Interview Prep, where I stepped into the shoes of the interviewee, and Muhammad Daniyal took on the role of the interviewer. What made this experience different wasn’t just the mock interview itself; it was the real-time feedback and debrief we did right after. Kevin Landucci, who moderated the session, guided us through a reflection on the interview: what went well, what could have been improved, and how to think about interviews more strategically from both sides of the table. That kind of post-interview breakdown is rare, and it adds so much value. If you're preparing for interviews or just curious about how interviewers think, this is worth a watch. 🎥 Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gTybzHTk

The biggest mistake in interviews? Trying to be perfect instead of being prepared. I just finished a mock interview with a client, and in just one hour, everything changed completely. THE DISASTER: ↳ “Tell me about yourself” turned into a 4-minute ramble with no clear direction. ↳ When asked, “Why do you want this job?” the response was, “I need money.” ↳ The salary question caused a deer-in-headlights panic. ↳ There were zero questions for the interviewer. THE TRANSFORMATION: ✅ We developed a 90-second elevator pitch that highlighted her unique value.   ✅ She conducted research on the company, which demonstrated her genuine interest.   ✅ She presented a salary range backed by market data and delivered it with confidence.   ✅ She came up with 5 strategic questions that impressed the interviewer.  THE REAL BREAKTHROUGH: She shifted her focus from trying to be “perfect” to being well-prepared. The turning point was realizing that an interview is a conversation, not an interrogation. Her exact words were:   👉 “I went from dreading interviews to actually looking forward to them.”  What made the difference? We practiced the SOAR method for behavioral questions (Situation, Obstacle, Action, Result).   🎯 It was a game-changer.  The truth is, interview confidence isn’t about memorizing the “right” answers. It's about preparation, clarity, and practice until it feels natural.  If you have an interview coming up, what is your biggest fear? Share it below 👇, and I’ll give you my best tip! ♻️ Repost to share this with your network.

Advice to My Younger Self (and maybe to you too): Interview before you have to. One of the best pieces of advice I got early in my career—from mentors I deeply respect—was this: Don’t be afraid to interview, even if you’re not actively looking. Why? 🔹 You learn what’s out there beyond your current role—you might discover a challenge or mission that energizes you in ways you hadn’t imagined. 🔹 More importantly, if something unexpected happens—like layoffs (as it did for me)—you’re already in motion and well-practiced for what comes next. Over the years, I spent a lot of time conducting interviews, but not nearly enough time on the other side of the table. That shift has reminded me how valuable it is to practice. I’ve been fortunate to have friends and former colleagues who’ve done mock interviews with me—walking through my experience, solving problems together, and helping me refine my story. Thank you Ryan Sweet! Here’s what’s helped most: ✅ Collaborative, conversational interviews—understanding the problem space together ✅ Practicing aloud—refining how I explain not just what I did, but why ✅ Getting feedback and building muscle memory before it’s high-stakes I’ll wrap this with a question for all of you: How ready are you for your next interview—even if it’s months or years away? What techniques have helped you prepare or improve? #career #interviews #softwareengineering #layoffs #careeradvice #mentorship #engineeringlife #jobsearch

Job seekers, this is for you if you are having challenges interviewing. HINT: If you are getting interviews but not offers, it means you are not interviewing as strongly as you can/should. This week I've been working with a lot of impacted workers that haven't interviewed in a long time. I conducted a mock interview session with the Silicon Valley Toastmaster's group, and gave real-time feedback to over 15 people. If you haven't interviewed in a long time, you should consider setting up several mock interview sessions with either recruiters or hiring managers in your industry. This is one area where practice DOES make a difference. Use either Zoom or even your cell phone to (video) record your responses - each practice session. Most coaches *should* offer this as a service as well if you are working with someone. (I do :))

Last week I had the opportunity to do mock interviews with four students in the Texas McCombs School of Business MSBA class of 2024. It was so fulfilling to see them triumph through each question I asked them. I was thoroughly impressed with their acumen and skill sets. There were a couple of suggestions/feedback I gave to all of the interviewees which are helpful to everyone (especially me): 1. 🐌 SLOW DOWN. You might know the answer to the question by heart if you practiced it enough (ex. Tell me a bit about yourself), but that makes you tend to speed up your speech cadence and may throw off or confuse the interviewer. You also don’t need to immediately start answering the question, taking 10-15 seconds to organize your thoughts and storyline is ok to do before answering and will reduce the chance of you telling a bad story. 2. 🍰 KEEP IT SHORT. Most interviewers have asked the same questions to multiple other candidates, don’t make them sit through a 5-minute continuous story about how you solved X so elegantly. They will ask follow-up questions if they need more context. Just remember: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Each part of STAR is usually 1-2 sentences and should take you no more than 2 minutes to tell your answer/story. 3. 💬 TALK THROUGH A PROBLEM. Especially with technical coding questions, the interviewer aims to understand how you think, collaborate, and problem-solve. It’s awkward if you, as the interviewee, silently code while the interviewer twiddles their thumbs. Practice talking to yourself when coding a solution to a practice problem and replicating it in an interview environment. Data Role Interviewers, is there any other common feedback you would give to an interviewee? #dataanalytics #recruiting