PSY311
Professional Development and
Critical Thinking
Assessment 2: Reflective Account
Student Number: 1911705
Submission Date: 7/3/2023
Module Leader: Dr Andrew G. Thomas
Word Count: 3244
1
, Reflective account of Mock interview
I completed a mock interview, where I was asked a series of skill-based questions regarding
the job role of Learning Support Worker. To prepare for this interview, I thoroughly read
through the job description, duties and responsibilities, person specification and company
values, and prepared transferable examples demonstrating skill development using the CAR
outline (Context, Action, Reflection). After the interview I received feedback, and a video
recording of the interview was sent to me to reflect on. From these resources, I could create a
reflective account using Borton’s (1970) Model of Reflection.
Planning for the mock interview involved creating responses to questions using CAR,
regarding different employability skills. While I did prepare these prior to the interview, I
didn’t have them practiced enough. This meant that during a few of my responses in the
interview, I fell into autopilot and didn’t follow the CAR structure thoroughly enough, so
lacked expansion when backing up statements, and what I had learned as a result. My lack of
practice also meant I was nervous due to not being very confident in my answers.
Because I didn’t practice my CAR responses enough, I hadn’t committed them to
memory very effectively. Lack of practice means that the required processing during the
interview wasn’t able to become automatic, resulting in worse performance due to increased
reaction time and decreased accuracy (Poldrack, 2000). Furthermore, anxiety I felt relating to
my lack of practice most likely perpetuated this longer reaction time and inaccuracy -
according to processing efficiency theory (Eysenck & Calvo, 1992), anxiety reduces
resources available for a given task, due to increased attention to threat related stimuli
(Eysenck et al., 2007). I struggled when trying to access some of the answers during the
interview, and feeling anxious about this made it even more difficult.
More time spent preparing and practicing in general will lead to greater confidence
during interviews in the future. This experience highlighted the importance of thoroughly
practicing structured interview answers, to ensure I evidence my statements with conviction. I
will read through my CV again to remind myself of my skills and experiences by the end of
July 2023, while I update it after graduating university.
2
Professional Development and
Critical Thinking
Assessment 2: Reflective Account
Student Number: 1911705
Submission Date: 7/3/2023
Module Leader: Dr Andrew G. Thomas
Word Count: 3244
1
, Reflective account of Mock interview
I completed a mock interview, where I was asked a series of skill-based questions regarding
the job role of Learning Support Worker. To prepare for this interview, I thoroughly read
through the job description, duties and responsibilities, person specification and company
values, and prepared transferable examples demonstrating skill development using the CAR
outline (Context, Action, Reflection). After the interview I received feedback, and a video
recording of the interview was sent to me to reflect on. From these resources, I could create a
reflective account using Borton’s (1970) Model of Reflection.
Planning for the mock interview involved creating responses to questions using CAR,
regarding different employability skills. While I did prepare these prior to the interview, I
didn’t have them practiced enough. This meant that during a few of my responses in the
interview, I fell into autopilot and didn’t follow the CAR structure thoroughly enough, so
lacked expansion when backing up statements, and what I had learned as a result. My lack of
practice also meant I was nervous due to not being very confident in my answers.
Because I didn’t practice my CAR responses enough, I hadn’t committed them to
memory very effectively. Lack of practice means that the required processing during the
interview wasn’t able to become automatic, resulting in worse performance due to increased
reaction time and decreased accuracy (Poldrack, 2000). Furthermore, anxiety I felt relating to
my lack of practice most likely perpetuated this longer reaction time and inaccuracy -
according to processing efficiency theory (Eysenck & Calvo, 1992), anxiety reduces
resources available for a given task, due to increased attention to threat related stimuli
(Eysenck et al., 2007). I struggled when trying to access some of the answers during the
interview, and feeling anxious about this made it even more difficult.
More time spent preparing and practicing in general will lead to greater confidence
during interviews in the future. This experience highlighted the importance of thoroughly
practicing structured interview answers, to ensure I evidence my statements with conviction. I
will read through my CV again to remind myself of my skills and experiences by the end of
July 2023, while I update it after graduating university.
2
