Simulated Job Interview Training and Learning Based Recovery USPRA Boston, MA June 14, 2011

Morris Bell, Ph.D., ABPP & Andrea Weinstein, MA, CRC Yale University School of Medicine Department of Veterans Affairs Yale University School of Medicine Department of Veterans Affairs

Research Support Rehabilitation Research and Development, Department of Veterans Affairs National Institute of Mental Health

Learning-Based Recovery Center Mission Statement: “Exploring Ways to Restore Cognitive and Work Capacity”

Job Interviews: The first hurdle to getting a competitive job Simulated Role-Play to Train Job Interview Skills

Do Job Interviews Matter? How important is a good job interview to your client getting a job? How important is it to prepare your client for a job interview? How confident are your clients about going on job interviews?

What's different about our simulated conversations? SIMmersion's simulated people: Are different every time you talk with them Can hold a conversation for up to an hour or longer Have simulated emotions so they behave like real people

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Simulated Job Interview Training Role-Play is one of the most effective training methods. Role-Play is one of the most effective training methods. It takes advantage of implicit learning It takes advantage of implicit learning It is limited by the quality of the role-play trainer and the amount of time available. It is limited by the quality of the role-play trainer and the amount of time available. Many people feel awkward performing role-plays in front of others. Many people feel awkward performing role-plays in front of others. SIMmersion has produced software that allows individuals to role-play with an actor on the computer screen. SIMmersion has produced software that allows individuals to role-play with an actor on the computer screen.

Development of the Role Play In collaboration with SIMmersion, (simmersion.com) we are creating simulated role-play software that allows an individual to practice job interview skills over and over again on their own time and in a safe environment. In collaboration with SIMmersion, (simmersion.com) we are creating simulated role-play software that allows an individual to practice job interview skills over and over again on their own time and in a safe environment. The first step is to create an job interview scenario. The first step is to create an job interview scenario. It should be generic, have a variety of positions and be realistic. It should be generic, have a variety of positions and be realistic.

The Scenario The scenario we created: A new department store is opening and has advertised for a number of positions. The scenario we created: A new department store is opening and has advertised for a number of positions. You fill out an on-line application, you need to select the type of job you’re interested in, and you are told that you must negotiate your schedule for Thursday afternoons off because you have a fixed appointment. You fill out an on-line application, you need to select the type of job you’re interested in, and you are told that you must negotiate your schedule for Thursday afternoons off because you have a fixed appointment. You can select from customer service, inventory, cashier, stock clerk. You can select from customer service, inventory, cashier, stock clerk.

Role Play Script Once the scenario is created, we need to develop a script with as many variations in responses as possible. Once the scenario is created, we need to develop a script with as many variations in responses as possible. To create this script requires practicing the role play over and over with different types of clients in mind. To create this script requires practicing the role play over and over with different types of clients in mind. So let’s try it. So let’s try it.

Molly at Wondersmart Molly from Human Resources is your interviewer. You can choose to have a “friendly” Molly or a “serious” Molly Molly from Human Resources is your interviewer. You can choose to have a “friendly” Molly or a “serious” Molly Molly responds to the rapport you have established. She becomes friendlier or more stern as the dialogue progresses. Molly responds to the rapport you have established. She becomes friendlier or more stern as the dialogue progresses.

Scoring the Interview Making a good first impression Making a good first impression Maintaining rapport throughout the interview Maintaining rapport throughout the interview Telling the interviewer about personal strong points for the job Telling the interviewer about personal strong points for the job Asking questions to learn more about the job. Asking questions to learn more about the job. Negotiating the best arrangements (e.g. schedule) Negotiating the best arrangements (e.g. schedule) Making sure that the interviewer knew what job the interviewee wanted to do Making sure that the interviewer knew what job the interviewee wanted to do Concluding the interview in a positive way. Concluding the interview in a positive way.

The Coach in the Corner As the conversation progresses, Molly reacts to how well you are doing. If you have established a good rapport, she gets friendlier. If not, she becomes more curt. As the conversation progresses, Molly reacts to how well you are doing. If you have established a good rapport, she gets friendlier. If not, she becomes more curt. There is a coach in the corner who lets you know how you’re doing. You can ask her for help as well. There is a coach in the corner who lets you know how you’re doing. You can ask her for help as well. When it’s over you get your scores. You can replay the whole conversation and you can start all over. When it’s over you get your scores. You can replay the whole conversation and you can start all over.

Demonstration Welcome to Wondersmart

Feasibility Study (n =10) 5 males and 5 females between the ages of 24 and 60 (mean = 42.3, sd = 10.0). 5 males and 5 females between the ages of 24 and 60 (mean = 42.3, sd = 10.0). Six were African American and 4 were Caucasian Six were African American and 4 were Caucasian 8 were single, 1 was married and 1 divorced. 8 were single, 1 was married and 1 divorced. They ranged in education from 12 years to 16 years (mean = 13.2; sd = 1.2). They ranged in education from 12 years to 16 years (mean = 13.2; sd = 1.2). 8 were work experienced 8 were work experienced Typical of this population, in the past 3 years only 1 had had full time competitive employment, 6 had held some part-time work, Typical of this population, in the past 3 years only 1 had had full time competitive employment, 6 had held some part-time work, Participants had significant barriers to their returning to full time employment including serious mental illness, vulnerability to substance abuse and criminal histories. Participants had significant barriers to their returning to full time employment including serious mental illness, vulnerability to substance abuse and criminal histories.

Participant Ratings Very high ratings on ease of use Very high ratings on ease of use Very high ratings on overall value of training Very high ratings on overall value of training 9 out of 10 found the simulation entertaining, which may be important for maintaining interest 9 out of 10 found the simulation entertaining, which may be important for maintaining interest 8 out of 10 said that they would be curious to try the simulation again 8 out of 10 said that they would be curious to try the simulation again All 10 agreed that this simulation was a comparable alternative to a live role play All 10 agreed that this simulation was a comparable alternative to a live role play

Qualitative Responses “I learned a lot from this simulation about myself and job interviewing.” “I learned a lot from this simulation about myself and job interviewing.” “It kept me interested and focused.” “It kept me interested and focused.” “It portrayed accurately what might be said in a job interview.” “It portrayed accurately what might be said in a job interview.” “I felt the interactions were life-like.” “I felt the interactions were life-like.” “It stimulated my brain. I thought it was very educational.” “It stimulated my brain. I thought it was very educational.”

What Do You Think? How useful do you think this simulated role play software will be for your clients? How useful do you think this simulated role play software will be for your clients? How willing do you think the clients will be to use it? How willing do you think the clients will be to use it? Assuming it is competitively priced, how likely is it that you or your agency would obtain this software once it is commercially available? Assuming it is competitively priced, how likely is it that you or your agency would obtain this software once it is commercially available?

Many Thanks for Your Kind Attention