What Are the Do's and Don'ts of a Mock Interview?

If you want to get the most out of your interview preparation, you can’t just hop into a mock interview and hope for the best. You first need to understand the do's and don'ts of a mock interview so your practice session actually leads to measurable improvement.

A mock interview is your opportunity to rehearse for the real thing in a safe environment. You can test strategies, identify weaknesses, and refine your answers without the pressure of a hiring decision. But to get those benefits, you need to follow the right approach — and avoid common mistakes.

Below, we’ve broken down 6 Do’s and 6 Don’ts of Mock Interviews, each with a detailed explanation of why they matter and how they help you succeed.

6 Do’s of Mock Interviews#

These six best practices are the foundation of a productive and effective mock interview. If you’re wondering how to prepare effectively, these “Do’s” should be at the top of your checklist.

Do #1: Treat It Like the Real Thing#

A mock interview works best when it mirrors your actual interview conditions as closely as possible. That means dressing professionally, showing up on time, and maintaining the same level of focus you would have with a hiring manager.

Why it matters: The more realistic the practice, the better your brain adapts to the stress, pace, and expectations of a real interview. This realism helps reduce anxiety when it’s time for the actual event.

Do #2: Set Clear Goals for the Session#

Before you start, decide exactly what you want to improve during your mock interview. Are you focusing on behavioral questions, technical problem-solving, or simply building confidence? Share these goals with your interviewer so they can tailor the questions and feedback.

Why it matters: Without clear objectives, you risk getting generic feedback that doesn’t help you grow. Clear goals make your mock interview targeted and impactful.

Do #3: Research and Prepare Thoroughly#

Even though it’s a practice session, you should research the company or role (if relevant), prepare answers to common interview questions, and refresh your technical skills. Treat your preparation as if the session were a real interview.

Why it matters: Doing your homework ensures you get accurate feedback on your true abilities, not on a half-prepared version of yourself.

Do #4: Structure Your Answers#

Use proven methods like the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions or a step-by-step approach for technical answers. Structured answers show clarity of thought, help you stay on topic, and make it easier for your interviewer to follow your reasoning.

Why it matters: In any discussion of what are the do's and don'ts of a mock interview, structured answers are one of the easiest ways to demonstrate professionalism and preparedness.

Do #5: Ask for Specific, Actionable Feedback#

At the end of your session, ask your interviewer for feedback on both strengths and weaknesses. Push for specifics: instead of “You did fine,” ask, “Which answer could have been more concise?” or “Did I seem confident when answering technical questions?”

Why it matters: Actionable feedback gives you a concrete improvement plan. The more detailed the insights, the faster you can refine your performance.

Do #6: Apply Feedback Immediately#

Don’t let feedback sit in a notebook. Practice your improved answers right away, address any body language issues, and rehearse changes until they feel natural.

Why it matters: Immediate application helps you lock in new habits and prevents old habits from creeping back before your next practice session.

6 Don’ts of Mock Interviews#

These are the most common mistakes candidates make during mock interviews. Know them — and avoid them like the plague. 

Don’t #1: Treat It Casually#

Some candidates think, “It’s just practice, I don’t need to take it seriously.” This is a mistake. Showing up unprepared, in casual attire, or with a laid-back attitude undermines the purpose of the session.

Why it matters: Casual habits in practice lead to casual habits in the real interview, where the stakes are much higher.

Don’t #2: Skip Goal-Setting#

If you enter a mock interview without knowing what you want to improve, you’ll walk away with feedback that may not be relevant to your needs.

Why it matters: The absence of clear goals turns your mock interview into a generic Q&A session rather than a targeted skill-building exercise.

Don’t #3: Neglect Your Environment#

If your real interview will be online, practice online under similar conditions. Poor lighting, background noise, or a weak internet connection can affect how you’re perceived—and in practice, it also affects the quality of feedback you receive.

Why it matters: A messy or unprofessional setup can distract from your performance and keep you from simulating real interview conditions.

Don’t #4: Ramble or Go Off-Topic#

Nervous candidates often talk too much, adding unnecessary details or drifting away from the question. This makes it harder for the interviewer to follow your point and can leave a weak impression.

Why it matters: One of the core answers to what are the do's and don'ts of a mock interview is that concise, relevant answers demonstrate communication skills and respect for the interviewer’s time.

Don’t #5: Accept Only Vague Feedback#

If your mock interviewer says, “You did fine,” and you leave it at that, you’re missing out. Without specifics, you won’t know what to fix before the real interview.

Why it matters: Feedback without detail is just reassurance. It doesn’t lead to meaningful improvement.

Don’t #6: Assume One Session Is Enough#

A single mock interview can reveal weaknesses, but improvement takes repetition. Thinking you’re fully prepared after one session leaves you vulnerable to making the same mistakes again.

Why it matters: Interview skills, like any skill, improve with practice and reinforcement over time.

Bringing It All Together#

Understanding the do's and don'ts of a mock interview is the difference between walking away from your practice session feeling “okay” and walking away with a clear, actionable plan to improve.

The Do’s help you create a realistic, goal-oriented, and feedback-driven session. The Don’ts protect you from common mistakes that waste your time and limit your growth.

When you combine both, you make your mock interview a powerful tool on your path to interview success.