A job interview can be one of the most intimidating moments in a student’s career search. However, the Iowa State Career Services Department is trying to make it a little easier.

Career Services will hold a Mock Interview Day in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union today from 8 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.

Annie Muller, Career Development coordinator for Career Services, said the event is “an excellent way to get practice for the sometimes scary business world, and also a way to get out all of the kinks.”

Muller, along with co-coordinators Amanda Merkwan and Amy Vitzthum from Career Services, set up Mock Interview Day with the assistance of a committee of students.

Mock interviews are open to all Iowa State students who are majoring in liberal arts and sciences or business. The interviews are similar to actual job interviews but are a little less stressful, Muller said.

Representatives from 25 area businesses and companies, including Norwest Financial and Allied Group, will come to campus to interview students.

Students sign up for an interview time without knowing which company their interview will be with, and interviews will last about 20 minutes, followed by a 15-to 20-minute critique.

“This is a great opportunity to get a foot in the door with the representatives and also great practice for an interview,” Merkwan said.

Vitzthum said representatives sometimes remember students they interviewed on Mock Interview Day, which in some cases can lead to a position with that company.

“Many of the students involved last year found it helpful,” Muller said.

Students were required to submit a r‚sum‚ to sign up for the event. About 150 to 175 students are expected to participate.