Free Interview Practice Tools
When you start a job search, it's a good idea to get ready to interview—even before you've been selected to meet with a company. A successful interview will be essential for you to lock in a job offer, and this is your chance to impress the interviewer enough to get a second interview or even an offer.
Taking time to prepare in advance will help you avoid interview stress, especially if you're asked to interview on short notice. Having interview clothes ready to wear, getting your technology in order for phone and video interviews, knowing how you'll respond to the most frequently asked questions, and having some questions prepared to ask the interviewer will help make the experience easier.
One of the best ways to practice for an interview is to spend some time reviewing (and answering) frequently asked interview questions. You'll be more comfortable responding when you know what you’re going to say.
There are free online tools that you can use to help practice answering questions and get ready to ace the interview. Here's a selection of free interview practice tools to try.
Free Online Interview Practice Tools
AI Interview Prep
AI is an excellent way to tailor your interview preparation for the specific roles you're applying for. You can use Google Gemini, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, or another AI chatbot to learn about what you'll be asked and to get examples of interview answers. Paste the job description for the position you're interviewing for in the prompt box and ask for a list of interview questions the hiring manager might ask. Then, you can add the questions to the prompt and ask the chatbot for examples of responses. You can also use AI to practice interviewing and learn more about the companies you're meeting with.
Google Interview Warmup
Use Google's Interview Warmup tool to prepare for your next interview. Practice answering key questions, get insights about your answers, and get more comfortable interviewing.
STAR Method Coach
STAR Method Coach can help you practice the STAR interview technique, which is one of the best ways to ace an interview. You can try two interview questions (based on your resume, job title, job description, company, or a custom question) for free and sign up for a subscription for unlimited questions. Use code "JOBHOPPER50" for 50% off a subscription. (Note: STAR Method Coach is a sponsor, but editorial recommendations are independent of sponsorship relationships.)
JobLogr
JobLogr is an AI-powered site you can use to prepare for interviews (you can paste in the job description and get a list of key points from your resume to mention), write cover letters, and track your applications. The application tracker is free, and you can sign up for a free trial to try out the other features.
Teal AI Interview Practice
Use Teal’s personalized interview practice sessions to practice mock interviews, get feedback on how you did, and track your progress over time. You’ll be able to get personalized questions based on the job you’re interviewing for, along with actionable feedback based on your responses.
Free Virtual Interview Preparation
If you're a student or make under $40,000 a year, you can sign up for a free mock interview. You'll get live feedback on your interviewing skills.
ChatGPT - Federal 2 Industry (F2I) Interview Prep GPT
F2I helps interviewers and interviewees prepare for transitioning from federal to private sector interviews. It’s also a useful tool for all job seekers who want to prep for upcoming interviews.
Pramp
Pramp users can sign up for free to practice live interviews with peers. The site is geared toward programming and tech interviews. Interview coaching and mock interviews from experts at leading companies are available for a fee.
AssessmentDay Free Practice Video Interview Zone
If you want to know what you look like on camera, you can record and play back your answers to interview questions.
Glassdoor Company Interview Questions
You can get a heads up on the competition by learning about the questions the company you're interviewing with typically asks. In addition, you can get examples of questions for the job you're applying for by using Glassdoor's interview questions tool.
Check Your Settings and Do a Trial Run
There's more to successful interviewing than answering questions. It's always a good idea to test your computer settings and make sure your background is appropriate and your appearance is professional. Sign in to Zoom's practice meeting for a trial run to ensure everything is set.
Tip: If you're a college student or graduate, check with your career services office. Many offer access to interview preparation tools, as well as personal assistance.
Our Favorite Tools & Tips
Avoid LinkedIn Job Scams: If you’re worried about getting scammed on LinkedIn, you are right to be. There are more scams than ever, and some of them are so sophisticated that it’s hard to tell they aren’t real. Here’s what to watch for and how to avoid getting scammed on LinkedIn.
CareerOneStop Compare Occupations: Do you want to compare your current job to other occupations to see what you could earn and learn the skills you need to get hired? CareerOneStop’s Compare Occupations is a quick and easy way to compare.
Jobsearchdb: When you're looking for a job in a specific industry or career field, using job sites that focus on the jobs you're interested in can be a time-saver. The Job Search Database included links to over 500 career sites, organized by category.
News & Noteworthy
Job Market Worries: The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Labor Market Survey shows a significant increase in job seekers compared to last year. Individuals who reported job searching increased to 28.4%—the highest since March 2014. The rate of transitioning to a new employer increased to 7.1%, which is the highest rate the survey has reported.In addition, The U.S. Labor Department reported that job growth was overstated by about 818,000 jobs in the 12 months that ended in March. Almost half of the loss was in professional services, one of the sectors hardest hit by layoffs.
When The Rules Don’t Apply: Despite Starbucks’s back-to-the-office mandate for corporate employees, according to The Independent, its new CEO can work from home in California. The Seattle Times reports that he also received a $10 million signing bonus and can use the corporate jet when he needs to head to Seattle.
Using AI to Write Your Resume: Adobe reports that 64% of hiring managers surveyed said using AI to help write your resume is acceptable. However, only 28% of job seekers reported using it. A LiveCareer survey reports that 51% of job seekers who used AI said they got more interviews—and 85% said it saved them time, which we can all use a little extra of. If you want to give AI a try, here are some helpful tips for getting started.
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Super useful roundup .....especially love how practical and beginner-friendly the tools are. Bookmarking this for my next prep round!