How to write constructive feedback for a mock job interview
Want to give helpful feedback for a mock job interview? Check out our tips for crafting constructive criticism that will boost your colleague's confidence and improve their interviewing skills.
Don't let your valuable insights go to waste - read on to learn how to effectively communicate your observations!
As an observer providing feedback after a mock job interview, it's important to strike a balance between honesty and tact. While it's essential to point out areas for improvement, it's equally important to do so in a way that doesn't discourage or demoralize the interviewee.
Here are six tips for writing constructive feedback that will help your colleague succeed in their job search.
Start with the positives.
Before diving into areas for improvement, begin by highlighting what the interviewee did well. This could include their appearance, body language, or specific responses to interview questions. This helps to set a positive tone for the rest of the feedback and gives the interviewee something to build on.
Focus on specific behaviors and actions.
When offering critiques, it's important to be specific and avoid making generalizations or assumptions. Instead of saying "you seemed nervous," try "I noticed that you fidgeted a bit and your voice trembled during certain parts of the interview." By focusing on specific behaviors, you can help the interviewee understand what they can do differently in the future.
Provide concrete examples.
To make your feedback more actionable, try to provide concrete examples of what you observed during the mock interview. For instance, instead of saying "your answers were too long," try "I noticed that your answer to the question about your greatest weakness went on for about three minutes. This may have made it difficult for the interviewer to follow your train of thought."
Suggest potential solutions.
While it's important to point out areas for improvement during an interview, it's equally important to provide concrete suggestions for how the interviewee can address these issues. While no job, interview or interviewee is perfect, your suggestions can help the interviewee to feel more supported and empowered to make positive changes and improvements in their performance. For example, if you noticed that the interviewee struggled with a certain type of question during the interview, you might suggest that they practice with a friend or mentor before the real interview. This can help them to become more familiar and comfortable with this type of question, and may help them to perform better in the future. Additionally, you might consider suggesting other strategies or resources that the interviewee can use to improve in this area, such as seeking out additional training or educational materials. Overall, the goal is to provide the interviewee with specific, actionable steps that they can take to address any areas of weakness or challenge, and to support them in their efforts to improve and succeed in their career.
Avoid using judgmental language.
It can be tempting to use words like "wrong" or "bad" when providing feedback, but these types of words can come across as harsh and can discourage the interviewee. Neither do you want to talk negatively about your current or ex-employer; topics like being overworked and the stressful work environment you have been in should not come up in the interview. Instead, try to use language that focuses on improvement and growth, such as "could be improved" or "opportunity for development."
End on a positive note.
Finally, make sure to end your feedback on a positive note, highlighting any progress or areas of strength that the interviewee demonstrated during the mock interview. This will help to leave the interviewee feeling motivated and energized to continue working on their job search.
In conclusion, writing constructive feedback for a mock job interview is all about striking the right balance between honesty and tact.
By focusing on specific behaviors, providing concrete examples, and suggesting potential solutions, you can help your colleague succeed in their job search and feel confident in their abilities. Remember to start and end on a positive note, and avoid using judgmental language to keep the feedback constructive and helpful.