After my AP Computer Science students finished their exam, I wanted to give them something practical and valuable. So we did something different: 30-minute mock job interviews that simulated real tech industry hiring practices.

Why Mock Interviews Matter

Most of our students will face technical interviews someday, but we rarely prepare them for this reality. Traditional computer science education focuses on algorithms and syntax, but job interviews test communication, problem-solving under pressure, and the ability to think aloud while coding.

Setting Up Remote Interviews

Since many tech interviews happen remotely now, I set up a realistic simulation with students interviewing from a separate room via video call. We used a shared coding environment and I partnered with one of my strongest students as a co-interviewer.

The remote format actually made students more comfortable than the traditional whiteboard interview. They could focus on problem-solving instead of worrying about their handwriting or drawing syntax errors.

The Interview Structure

Each 30-minute interview included behavioral questions, technical discussion, and live coding challenges.

What Students Learned

The experience was eye-opening for everyone. Students discovered that:

  • Talking through your thought process is harder than silent coding
  • Simple problems become challenging under interview pressure
  • Communication skills matter as much as technical knowledge
  • Practice makes a huge difference in confidence

One student commented, “I never realized how much I talk to myself when I code!”

Sometimes the best preparation for the future happens when we step outside the traditional curriculum and simulate what students will actually encounter.



Job Description

This is for a mock interview. Students are not interviewing for a real job.

Company: Adobe
Industry: Software Development
Location: Remote
Focus: Digital media and digital marketing solutions / Mobile and Web Applications
Compensation: More than a teacher
Job Description: Entry-Level Software Engineer

Responsibilities:

Develop and maintain software applications using C and Python. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define, design, and ship new features. Unit-test code for robustness, including edge cases, usability, and general reliability. Continuously discover, evaluate, and implement new technologies to maximize development efficiency.

Qualifications:

Proficient in C and Python, with at least one project or coursework demonstrating use. Strong problem-solving skills and ability to handle complex technical challenges. Excellent teamwork skills with a proven ability to collaborate in a remote setting. Eagerness to learn new technologies and frameworks.

Education:

Currently pursuing or recently graduated with a degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.