If you’re a Queen’s Law student looking to get your career – and your week – off to the right start, the Career Development Office (CDO) has just the thing for you.

The CDO’s Peer Mock Interview Monday pilot program has now become a standing part of its annual curriculum. 

“We host full-day Peer Mock Days with dozens of upper-year volunteers conducting over 80 interviews with their peers,” says Mike Molas, Career Counsellor. “Last year, we recognized the need for additional mock interview opportunities near the major recruitment periods in the fall and winter semesters.”

Both Molas and CDO Director Julie Banting work directly with students and conduct mock interviews. However, accommodating such a large group of eager students during these busier periods means calling in some help. “Third-year law students who received a Peer Mock Interview in previous years are very excited to come back and do the interviewing – they want to pay it forward,” Molas says. 

The student volunteers enjoy the opportunity to support their peers and see what life is like on the other side of the hiring table. The students being interviewed get to practise and develop their interviewing skillset. “This experience highlights the strong peer-to-peer network that is a hallmark of Queen’s Law,” adds Molas.

Before they can conduct interviews, volunteers are trained on different types of interview questions, frameworks to effectively answer these questions, insights on how to provide personalized, constructive feedback, and the importance of maintaining confidentiality.  

“Our students are very passionate about what they do, and they want to be ready for their job search,” says Molas. “They want to navigate that search efficiently, effectively and professionally. And as we help them in their search, we want to make sure the students feel this is a supportive and safe environment.”

The CDO’s mock interview program is just one of their offerings. Additional services include cover letter and resume reviews, self-assessment and career exploration and counselling students throughout their job search process.

Fall Peer Mock Interview Day is on Sunday, September 8. The first Mock Monday of the year will be on Monday, September 16.