Nov 11, 2025

Why You Shouldn’t Practice With Real Interviews (And What To Do Instead)

It’s tempting to treat real interviews as “practice.” After all, nothing feels more realistic than the real thing. But using actual interviews to figure things out often backfires — not just professionally, but emotionally.

Why Real Interviews Are a Risky Way to Practice

Real interviews come with consequences. When you don’t advance to the next round, you’re not just losing an opportunity, you’re also taking a hit to your confidence.

That matters more than people realize.

Repeated rejections can quietly change how you show up:

  • You start second-guessing answers

  • You hesitate more

  • You sound less confident, even when you are qualified

Over time, this compounds. By the time you reach an interview you truly care about, you may already be carrying doubt from earlier losses.

There’s also a practical issue: many candidates don’t get enough interviews to “practice” in the first place. A significant portion of job seekers report going months — or even a full year — without a single interview. In that reality, learning on the job isn’t a strategy.

What Actually Helps

Strong candidates separate practice from performance.

They practice in environments where:

  • Mistakes don’t cost them real opportunities

  • Feedback is immediate and specific

  • Confidence can be built instead of eroded

This is where realistic mock interviews matter. Not casual prep, but structured, role-specific practice that mirrors real conversations — including follow-ups, pauses, and pressure.

Where Get Picked Fits

Get Picked exists for this exact gap: a place to practice seriously before the interview counts. You get to work through nerves, refine answers, and build confidence without risking real offers — so when it’s time to perform, you’re not figuring things out on the fly.

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