Mock Interviews at UCF: Preparation, Collaboration, & Personalization Erin Myszkowski, Kimberly Finley, & Michelle Hightower SAAHP Conference June 1, 2017

UCF and Mock Interview Statistics Large, metropolitan, public, research institution in Orlando, FL Student population: 64,318 (2016) Pre-Health student population: 5,000 (approx.) Size of Pre-Health advising office: 4 Advisors, 1 Office Manager, 2 GAs, 3 Student Assistants (front desk) # of mock interviews per year 2016-17: 150 2015-16: 166 2014-15: 150 2013-14: 80 (major office/staff changes)

Overview Introduction to UCF’s Mock Interviews (MIs) Engage & partner with UCF colleagues Organizing mock interviews from “behind the scenes” Mock interview structure Mock interview preparation Video clips of mock interviews to critique Mock MMIs and informal MIs Gathering interviewee feedback from real interviews

Introduction to UCF’s Mock Interviews (MIs) 2 mock interviewers (1 PH Advisor/GA & 1 UCF colleague), 1 mock interviewee (student/applicant) Open file (primary application and secondary) 1 hour each: 30 minutes of Q&A, 30 minutes of feedback/discussion 2 MIs per day/4 days per week (Mon-Thurs) Office conducts a total of 8 MIs per week Each Pre-Health advisor/GA only has 2 MIs one day per week MI season: Late July/Early August until Early May Video-recorded; video provided to student/applicant PH Advisor – 1x per week

Engage & Partner with UCF Colleagues Identify and contact faculty, advisors, and administrators who would be 1) a “good fit” and 2) interested in helping Meet with them to discuss mock interview format, time commitment, compensation (feeling of reward!) Schedule time for them to shadow an MI Once they feel comfortable and ready, we schedule a regular, once-a-month time for them to conduct MIs Ex. 1st Monday of the month, or 3rd Tuesday of the month UCF colleague – 1x per month

Organization from “Behind the Scenes” Student/applicant calls/comes in our front office to schedule their MI We need 5 business days notice to schedule an MI If less than 5 business days, we try to fit it in or they are offered an “Informal MI” Student emails their application and secondary (open file) to our MI Coordinator (an advisor) MI Coordinator makes sure all application materials are received (including test scores) by 5 days in advance MI Coordinator emails student’s application materials to the two mock interviewers by 3 business days (minimum) in advance of MI MI Coordinator tracks all MIs in a spreadsheet Well oiled machine

BACKSTAGE: Preparing for a Mock Interview

Mock Interview Structure There are 2 mock interviewers during each mock interview Interviewer 1 takes on the role of the “lead” Interviewer 2 follows the lead - Asks questions from a general “question list” for the most part Goal: Challenge Student - Enhance critical thinking skills - Get them out of their comfort zone

Mock Interview Structure (cont’d) Each interview is scheduled for 1 hour 1st 30 minutes: Question and answer format 2nd 30 minutes: Feedback/discussion with mock interviewee The feedback portion is divided into 2 sections Non-verbal communication Verbal communication

Key Areas of the Application Course History & Grades Admission Test Scores Experiences/Activities Personal Statement Secondary Application

Identifying Questions to Ask in the Mock Interview Identify the school’s interview format Interviewee’s application General interview question list Ethical question list Feedback/info from other past interviewees and schools Utilize websites for commonly asked questions

Question Types General Interview Questions (from Question List) Examples: Tell us about yourself?, Strengths/Weaknesses, Why profession? There are various interview formats that our students may be exposed to Maximizes the chance that interviewees will encounter at least one question asked in the mock interview in their actual interview Personal Interview Questions (from Application) Questions about experiences (ex. shadowing, volunteering, leadership experiences, etc.) Questions derived from personal statement Future goals Ethical Questions (from Question List) A pregnant, 15-year-old, unmarried teenager comes into your office asking for an abortion. What would you do? Would you inform her parents? Used to evaluate the applicant’s ability to critically think

SHOWTIME: Conducting the Mock Interview

Q&A: Beginning Interviewer 1 (lead) preps mock interviewee in office’s waiting room Explain interview process (ex. 1 hour long interview, 2 halves including feedback and question and answer) Permission to video record Confirm the school where the student is interviewing Additional schools where they have upcoming interviews Any questions before we start? Interviewer 1 returns to conference room to confer with Interviewer 2, make sure they are both ready, and hit record on camera Interview Intro: “You are here today at (school’s name) in (city, state) to interview for a spot in our (entering class), correct?”

Q&A: Middle From about 2 minutes – 25 minutes (20-25 minutes total) Questions to mock interviewee by Interviewer 1 and Interviewer 2 from: Application General Question List Ethical (at least one)

Q&A: Ending About the 25 minute mark (last 5 minutes) Three questions to wind down

Feedback: Debriefing with the Student Transition Non-Verbal Pace of speech Volume Eye contact (engaged and not just with the person who asked the question) Posture Gesticulation Appearance (including presence/absence of smiling) Movement/fidgeting

Feedback: Debriefing with the Student (cont’d) Verbal Articulation Knowledge Honesty Personality How to improve upon answers Question by question Brainstorming with the student

MI VIDEO CLIPS: Your Turn to Provide Feedback Note: Video clips removed from this version

ADDITIONAL TYPES OF MOCK INTERVIEWS: Mock MMI & Informal MI

Mock Multiple Mini Interview (M-MMI) Set Up Usually on a Friday afternoon 3 stations (3 offices side by side) and 3 advisors participate Print out the scenario and post it on each interview room door Greeter explains the timing and process to student Offers student a pad of paper and pen to take notes (up to the student)

M-MMI 10 minutes per station, or time is tailored specifically to the interviewing school 2 minutes to read over scenario 8 minutes in interview station with 1 interviewer 3 interview stations total 30 minute overall timeframe Evaluated on nonverbal & verbal communication skills, ethical decision making, and critical thinking skills Advisors outside the station take turns timing the student in each station, knocking on the door when time is up

M-MMI Feedback The three interviewers then escort student/interviewee to our conference room, where each gives their feedback regarding their performance in each station Ask for student’s feedback on the process and give them an opportunity to ask any questions they may have prior to interview day Our summary is that Station 1 stresses the student out the most, due to their nerves still in play, while Station 3 they typically find more enjoyable

Informal Mock Interviews Requests from students receiving last-minute interviews They meet with any advisor depending on their availability Role play through some commonly-asked interview questions using general question list Given feedback on communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal Given handout on Interview Etiquette Opportunity to address student’s questions/concerns about specific school interview…what to expect?

Informal MI vs. Formal MI Informal MI is different because: No primary or secondary applications sent/received/reviewed beforehand Only one advisor/consultant (versus two for formal MI) Does not allow for in-depth questions about possible difficulties with grades or test scores Not video recorded like the formal MIs Verbal feedback plays a greater role; more discussion-based

STUDENT REVIEWS: Gathering Feedback from Interviewees

Gathering Feedback Follow-up Emails to Interviewees An email is sent to each student that had a mock interview 3-5 days after their actual interview Students are asked to let us know how their actual interview went and if there is anything they can share from it No sharing of confidential information Student Feedback Spreadsheet Feedback given by students is saved to an Excel spreadsheet and categorized by school and type of health profession Used to help us prepare for and structure future mock interviews

Gathering Feedback (cont’d) Mock Interview Survey via Survey Monkey Emailed to mock interviewees in April (re-sent a few times) Gathers feedback on MI and actual interviews We ask them: Name, Pre-Health Profession, Major If their mock interview was helpful (SA, A, N, D, SD) Schools they interviewed at & the result Any additional comments about MI or actual interviews

QUESTIONS Erin Myszkowski, Director, ErinM@ucf.edu Kimberly Finley, Advisor, Kimberly.Finley@ucf.edu Michelle Hightower, Advisor, Michelle.Hightower@ucf.edu