No matter how many hours I spent preparing, there was always a voice in the back of my mind whispering, “You’re not good enough for this.” It didn’t matter how many projects I’d completed, certifications I had, or people who vouched for me — in interviews, that voice always seemed louder than everything else.
That voice was impostor syndrome. And over time, it shaped how I saw myself — as someone who had somehow slipped through the cracks and didn’t truly deserve the opportunities I was pursuing.
Ironically, what helped me quiet that voice wasn’t another course or another all-nighter of prep. It was something much simpler: mock interviews.
Impostor syndrome doesn’t just mean feeling nervous. It’s a deeper belief that your accomplishments are accidents — that you’ve tricked everyone into thinking you’re more competent than you really are. It’s a constant fear of being “found out.”
For me, interviews were the perfect storm. I’d go in knowing I’d studied, but the moment the interviewer asked me to solve a problem or explain my reasoning, I’d freeze. I’d second-guess everything. It didn’t matter if I got the answer right — I never felt like I did.
Eventually, I realized my problem wasn’t a lack of knowledge. It was a lack of confidence under pressure — and I needed a way to build that without burning opportunities on failed interviews.
At first, mock interviews sounded like just another way to feel unprepared. Why would I volunteer to put myself in a fake interview, risk flubbing answers, and feel even more embarrassed?
But that mindset — avoiding discomfort — was part of the problem.
So, I started small. I asked a friend to walk me through a couple of mock technical questions. I struggled. I blanked. But I also learned. And most importantly, I started to understand that my mistakes weren’t disqualifying — they were part of the process.
That one session led to more. Over time, I began scheduling regular mock interviews with peers, mentors, and eventually through platforms like Pramp and Interviewing.io. That’s when things really started to shift.
Mock interviews are as close to the real thing as you can get — without the real stakes. That gave me the freedom to experiment, stumble, and learn without fear of losing an actual opportunity. The pressure was there, but the consequences were manageable. And that’s where growth happens.
One of the most powerful things about mock interviews was hearing someone else’s perspective. I was often my own harshest critic. I’d walk away thinking I bombed, only to hear, “You actually explained that well — you just needed to slow down.”
That feedback helped me separate real issues from imagined ones. It also gave me concrete ways to improve, instead of spinning in anxiety.
The more I practiced, the less intimidating interviews became. I developed patterns in how I approached problems, structured answers, and explained my thought process. What once felt like a chaotic performance started to feel like a rehearsed — but authentic — conversation.
I wasn’t just learning answers. I was learning how to handle the unknown with composure.
As I built up more mock interview experiences, I started seeing myself differently. I wasn’t someone pretending to know things — I was someone actively learning, improving, and showing up. The narrative shifted from “I hope I don’t mess this up” to “I’ve done this before. I know how to handle this.”
That shift didn’t happen overnight. But mock interviews gave me proof that I could rely on — not just hope.
If you’re thinking of giving mock interviews a try, here’s what helped me most:
Pair up with someone in your network. You’d be surprised how many people are willing to practice together.
Use mock interview platforms. Tools like Pramp, Exponent, and Interviewing.io simulate real interviews with strangers — which is a great way to get comfortable with pressure.
Record yourself. It’s awkward at first, but watching your sessions back is incredibly helpful for catching habits, filler words, or moments where you lost track.
Ask for specific feedback. Don’t just ask, “How did I do?” Ask, “Where did I lose clarity?” or “Was my structure solid?”
Be consistent. One mock interview helps. Five start to build momentum. Ten changes everything.
The biggest change wasn’t that I started acing every question or became a perfect candidate overnight. It was that I finally started believing in my abilities.
Mock interviews didn’t make impostor syndrome vanish — but they gave me tools to manage it. They gave me a way to prove to myself, again and again, that I was capable. That I belonged.
Now, when I walk into an interview, that inner critic still shows up — but it’s quieter. Because I’ve done the work. I’ve practiced confidence. And I’ve seen that I can handle more than I once thought.
If you’ve ever doubted yourself, if you’ve ever felt like you were “faking it” — you’re not alone. And you’re not stuck.
Confidence isn’t something you magically wake up with. It’s built — session by session, stumble by stumble — until you start to believe what others already see in you.
Mock interviews won’t just prepare you for job interviews — they’ll help you reclaim your confidence and rewrite the story you tell yourself.
And that’s something worth practicing.