Virtual mock interviews set students up for career fair success

The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering Career Fair starts Feb. 5. Are you ready?

Members of the Auburn Engineering Young Alumni Council will be offering virtual mock interviews on Thursday, Feb. 1 to help current engineering undergraduates put their best foot forward at the career fair and secure their next co-op, internship or full-time position. A second in-person mock interview session will be available on Wednesday, March 20 for interested graduate students as part of a Graduate Student Career Readiness Summit.

The mock interviews are designed to give students a realistic interview experience. Participants will be required to share their current resume with young alumni interviewers to allow an interview experience tailored to each individual student. The mock interviews will take place over Zoom and the alumni will provide feedback after the interview.⁠

“The first step in many job interview processes is a virtual interview. The virtual mock interview event will assist students as they prepare for that first interview experience. Engineering Young Alumni will ask questions the students may receive in an interview and provide feedback on their responses,” said Heather Rush, a career coach in the Auburn Engineering Office of Career Development and Corporate Relations (CDCR). “As a result of participating in the event, students will receive a boost in their confidence and reduce their interview anxiety, sharpen their interview skills, identify areas for improvement, be prepared for behavioral-type interview questions and network with Engineering Young Alumni Council members.”

In addition to arranging the virtual mock interview sessions with young alumni, CDCR offers a wide range of assistance to students in preparation for the career fair. From resume and cover letter review and printing, to developing an elevator pitch and building a LinkedIn profile, career coaches are a wealth of resources and work to ensure each student is on a path to designing their engineering career.

“The Young Alumni Council always looks forward to holding mock interviews with current engineering students to connect in a professional setting and give feedback on how they can hone their interviewing skills and prepare for career fairs and interviews,” said Brandon Teal, ’15 electrical engineering, chair of Young Alumni Council professional development committee and senior interconnection project manager for Silicon Ranch.

To reserve a mock interview, visit Virtual Mock Interviews with the Engineering Young Alumni Council.