Students get interview ready through mock interviews with industry mentors

Students get interview ready through mock interviews with industry mentors

Students share their most valuable leanings, giving us a glimpse into their mock interview experience.

International students taking part in the session experienced a fifteen-minute mock interview, where they received feedback on the spot from industry mentors relevant to their field of study.  

We spoke with Viraj and Mojgan who received feedback from mentors from SEEK, Generation Australia and Porche Cars Australia, in preparation for upcoming application processes.  

Mojgan Fayyazi 

Mojgan Fayyazi, smiling toward camera Mojgan Fayyazi, PhD Automotive and Mechanical Engineering student

Why did you decide to attend the event?

My PhD is almost done, I’m submitting my thesis around December. So I’m really interested in finding a job either in industry or academia. I’m an international student here, and this is a new experience for me, I haven’t had these kinds of interviews in my home country (Iran) and I want to be prepared.

Also, English is my second language so it’s good practice to keep improving my English skills.

What was the most valuable tip or piece of advice you received from your industry mentor?

I thought in job interviews that I only had to talk about things I’ve achieved in my professional life, like my PhD thesis or anything I’ve achieved in university, but today I found out that I should also talk about myself, and my journey.  

Not Mojgan the PhD student, but who I am besides that. They wanted to know about my normal life, not just my professional life

Viraj Navin Wijethilaka Mangappulige Don

Viraj Navin Wijethilaka Mangappulige Don, smiling toward camera Viraj Navin Wijethilaka Mangappulige Don, Bachelor of Civil Engineering student

Why did you decide to attend the event?

I felt like the hiring process is somewhat alienating, it seems scary when you start applying for jobs. I thought I needed some practice before I go out into the real world to look for work.

What was the most valuable tip or piece of advice you received from your industry mentor?

I got an idea of the structure of an interview. For example, what sort of questions they might ask and importantly, and what a hiring manager expects of me during the interview. 

One thing they told me was that the main target of an interview is to sell yourself. How am I going to be an asset to the company? That was the most important thing I got from the event and something I’ll work on.

three students smiling toward camera

International students support and resources

RMIT international students can register for events and find study and wellbeing support at the International Students webpage.

The one-on-one mock interviews with industry mentors workshop - for international students has been made possible by funding from the Victorian Government through Study Melbourne.

12 September 2022

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