Appendix J: Mock Interview Assignment

Students will complete a mock interview related to the career and/ or graduate school option they wish
to pursue post- Loras. The goal of this assignment is for the student to reflect on their current
understanding of the vocation, and identify their growth towards this goal. The student should plan to
reflect on why this is the vocation they wish to pursue, as well as develop an understanding of how their
life experiences thus far have contributed to this vocational identity. The mock interview format will be
at the discretion of the faculty supervisor. It may be a zoom interview, in person interview, or involve a
written or video response to some of the example questions below. In order to receive passing on this
assignment, the student must receive acceptable or excellent in all categories.

Mock Interview Rubric Excellent Acceptable Unacceptable

Professionalism Candidate is very Candidate displays some Candidate acts
professional throughout professionalism but gives unprofessional on several
interview process. one or two indications of occasions.
unprofessional behavior.
Content Answers are quickly (but Answers are given but Candidate is searching for
not too quick) given and candidate is occasionally answers. Appears to be
directly answer questions. stumped or searching for unprepared. Little to no
Appropriate examples to an answer. Some examples research has been done.
back up answer are given are given but more are
when necessary. Candidate appropriate. Some
has obviously done some research has been done
research on the job and but more should have
the clinic/school been
Confidence Candidate speaks with Candidate speaks in a loud Candidate is obviously not
confidence and in a loud voice but there is some confident. Nervousness or
voice lack of confidence or shaky answers are given.
unsureness shown
Vocational Identity Candidate provides a Candidate provides a Unclear understanding or
detailed and somewhat unique discussion of vocational
comprehensive explanation of vocational identity
understanding of a current identity. Vocational
vocational identity, which identity utilizes aspects of
is unique to the individual personal and societal
and utilizes personal and values, but lacks
societal values connectedness
Questions Candidate Asks Candidate has questions Candidate asks questions No questions are prepared
prepared ahead of time but some are not or candidate asks
and asks appropriate appropriate for this time. completely inappropriate
questions. questions.
Example Interview Questions

General Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What experiences in your life have prepared you to work with a diverse group of clients and
colleagues
3. Explain a situation in which you acted as a leader for a group. How did this come to be, and what
was the outcome?
4. In what ways are you most critical of yourself, and for what reason?
5. Explain a time when you had to persevere and overcome hardship. What was the situation and
what was the outcome?
6. Describe your involvement in your community.
7. Why are you passionate about XYZ profession?
8. What inspires you?
9. How would your enemies describe you?
10. How do you deal with stress?
11. Describe a time you had to make a difficult decision and what decision did you make?
12. How do you handle things when they haven’t gone your way?
13. What is your style of conflict resolution?
14. What resources have you used when struggling with a class?
15. Describe a time you failed and what did you do about it?
16. Describe a problem you’ve faced, and how did you overcome it?
17. What is your greatest strength? What is your greatest weakness?
18. What would you do if someone gave you feedback you did not like or agree with?
19. What lead you to this career path?
20. Where do you see yourself in five years?
21. What do you do in your free time?
22. How do you de-stress after a busy work day?
23. What are some examples of activities that you have or would like to do with your coworkers
outside of work hours to bond with each other?
24. How would you describe your communication style?
25. How do you maintain your work-life balance?
26. What do you want to get out of this job?
27. What can you bring to the team that is unique?
28. How would you define a critical thinker and how is that important in this profession?

Other hints from our graduates:

- Be yourself! Be confident, show your personality. Don’t be afraid to be friendly and make them
laugh with a funny comment (always tasteful of course!)
- Smile and nod, be attentive when they ask questions, good body language
- Answer passionately (like you care and want them to understand what you’re saying)
- Share a passion of yours. This will help you stand out from others. Pick something you care
strongly about (ex: mental health) and how you advocate for it.
- Do your research. Look up who you are interviewing with. If they have a specialty, mention that.
They will love it and most likely think you are special because this is something they are passionate
about.
Physical Therapy Graduate School
1. If you had your own clinic, what are three words that would describe it best?
2. What are some trends in the PT field that you think you will be a part of? Expand on your
knowledge of this topic.
3. How would you convince a patient that isn’t believing in the treatment to start believing in the
treatment?
4. What are the current issues that physical therapists are facing?
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5. Why did you decide to apply to XYZ school? What are some aspects that were important to you in
your search for a PT program?
6. How will you handle the stressors of a graduate program/
7. What would make you a good physical therapist?
8. Why do you want to be a physical therapist? (beyond just to help others)
9. What questions do you have for us?
Occupational Therapy Graduate School
1. Some qualities that make great OT’s include: resilience, a growth mindset, effective
communication skills, flexibility, problem solving, working with others and self-awareness. Give one
example of where you stood out or shined in one or more of these areas.
2. Describe how you would be a good fit for our program. In other words, what do you bring to the
table that would stand out in comparison to other applicants. (HINT: always do some research on
the school/ the unique components of the program you are interviewing with)
3. Why did you decide to apply to XYZ school?
4. How will you handle the stressors of a graduate program?
5. What would make you a good occupational therapist?
6. What questions do you have for us?

Athletic Training Careers

1. What are the most important issues that athletic trainers are currently facing?
2. What is your favorite body part/ region to work with/ evaluate?
3. What makes you a good athletic trainer?
4. What is the most interesting injury you’ve worked with?
5. What experience do you have working with psychological conditions/ mental health? Can you
provide any examples?
6. Are you comfortable working through some mental health conditions with your clients should the
need arise?
7. What are some creative ways that you have created rehab exercises/ workouts in a setting with
limited resources? Provide some examples.
8. What is your personal philosophy regarding treatment?
9. What is something that you do in your normal practice that would aid in the overall diversity in the
athletic department?
10. Can you describe a situation in which you had a conflict with a coach/ athlete/ client/ etc? How
did you come to a resolution on this conflict?
11. What is your style of conflict resolution?
12. What treatment techniques and tools are you interested learning more about to advance your
overall skills?
13. What is your favorite modality to use? What do you like to use it on (what injury) and why?
14. What do you look for in a sports medicine team? Expectations for working at the school and with
coworkers?
15. What questions do you have for us?
Other hints from our graduates:
- Ask the head athletic trainer what you can expect from him/ her in that first year.
- Be prepared for scenario questions: how do you handle an upset coach during a game?
- Be prepared to answer the question, then follow up with “for example” and proceed to tell a story
that reflects why this is true

PhD/ Masters in Research Heavy Program

1. Why did you decide to apply to XYZ school?
2. How will you handle the stressors of this graduate program?
3. What in the past do you believe has prepared you to be successful in graduate school (considering
your roles will be as a student, researcher, teaching assistant)?
4. What are your research interests?
5. What are some projects or conferences you have been working toward?
6. Do you have teaching experience/ what are you teaching now?
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7. What kind of classes are you comfortable teaching?
8. What is your dream job/ what do you want to do with the degree you would achieve from here?
What are your future career goals?
9. How do you handle conflict? (this might be scenario based- they might give you a scenario and then
you have to decide what you would do in that particular situation. Example: How might you be able to
thrive in an environment where the team is made of potentially not great team members ie: you are
younger than other members, and they may be arrogant given their education/ background)
10. What questions do you have for us?
Other hints from our graduates:
- Ask about statistical software, lab equipment
- Do your research up front to see what types of research is going on there, and how you might be
compatible with certain faculty
- Have a list prepared of any/ all research presentations you’ve done/ been a part of and be able to
talk about what your role was with this
- Have a list prepared of the lab equipment you’ve used/ feel comfortable with/ are interested in
using
Personal Training
1. What makes you a good personal trainer?
2. What makes you stand out from other personal trainers?
3. Detail a time when you had to improvise while training a client.
4. Why do you want to work here as opposed to other gyms?
5. What is your thought process when you need to scale a workout for a client?
6. How do you deal with conflict (between two clients, between yourself and the client, between
yourself and a coworker)?
7. What do you do when a client does not want to work/ loses motivation?
8. What would you say is the most important part of being a successful personal trainer?
9. What questions do you have for us?