Why Practice Makes Perfect: The Research Behind Mock Interviews

Some designers are going through 11 rounds of interviews for a single job.

That's not a typo. Latin's 2024 Designer Engagement Report found that UX and product designers are facing marathon interview processes that would've been unthinkable just a few years ago.

The current hiring market has fundamentally changed how companies evaluate talent, making every interview interaction more critical than ever.

And here's what makes it worse: about 40% of employers say they hesitate to hire candidates who seem to lack confidence during interviews. Even if you're an incredible designer.

Confidence Isn't About Personality

Here's the thing: interview confidence has nothing to do with being naturally outgoing or charismatic.

Research from 2020 found that candidates' self-confidence significantly influences recruiters' decisions. Higher confidence directly boosts what they call "hireability" and increases your chances of getting that second interview or offer.

But confidence isn't some fixed trait you're born with. It's a skill. And like any skill, you can develop it through practice.

The Current Reality for Designers

Let's be real about what designers face today:

You're dealing with endless interview rounds. Portfolio reviews that feel like dissertation defenses. Take-home exercises that eat up entire weekends. Whiteboard challenges that test your anxiety more than your actual abilities.

That last one? Researchers actually studied it. They found that traditional whiteboard tests often measure how nervous you are, not how good you are at your job.

Add in the constant news about layoffs and industry shifts, and it's no wonder so many talented designers freeze up during interviews.

What Actually Works

Research from 2022 shows something interesting: practicing in low-stress settings significantly reduces interview anxiety and builds real confidence. Not fake-it-til-you-make-it confidence. The real kind.

Yale's research on interviewing backs this up. The most effective preparation tactics aren't complicated:

Structure your responses. Having a framework makes you sound coherent even when you're nervous. The STAR method exists for a reason; it works.

Practice out loud. This one's huge. Speaking your answers builds muscle memory and cuts down on those "um" and "uh" moments that make you seem unsure.

Prepare real examples. Don't wing it with your stories. Have specific projects and situations ready to discuss. The specifics make you memorable.

Get actual feedback. This is where most people stop. Practicing alone helps, but feedback from someone who knows what interviewers look for? That's what changes everything.

Why Mock Interviews Matter

Research from back in 1998 showed that structured interview approaches improve both fairness and accuracy in hiring. When you practice with this structure, you're not gaming the system; you're preparing to show your actual abilities clearly.

Candidates who do mock interviews with feedback report feeling way more capable in their real interviews. Not because they memorized answers, but because they've already worked through the nerves and found their rhythm.

The practice environment matters too. When you can stumble, get feedback, and try again without consequences, you build the confidence to handle whatever comes up in the real thing.

This Is Why We Built Practice Round

All this research validated what we were already seeing. Designers need a place to practice where the stakes are low but the feedback is real.

Every practice session is a chance to build that confidence the research talks about. To find your voice before it matters. To get comfortable being uncomfortable.

Because the market's tough enough without going in unprepared.

Ready to Start?

We're matching designers with volunteer panelists every week. People who've been through these marathon interview processes and want to help you skip some of the pain.

Sign up at practiceround.co/signup

Got a friend preparing for interviews? Share this with them. Sometimes knowing there's actual science behind why practice helps is the push someone needs to start.