Improving the interview skills of college students using behavioral skills training

Stocco et al. (2017) worked with five college students who wanted better job-interview skills. The team used behavioral skills training plus self-evaluation in a campus clinic.

Each learner watched a model, practiced answers, got immediate feedback, then scored their own video. The researchers tracked eye contact, posture, and answer quality across three target behaviors.

All five students mastered every skill after the BST package. Staff ratings and student self-scores both went up and stayed up.

The skills looked natural and the students said the self-evaluation piece helped them notice small errors on their own.

Simmons et al. (2024) ran the same BST steps on Zoom and got the same gains, showing the package works live or online.

Edgemon et al. (2020) moved the package to detained teens; three of seven needed extra prompts, but everyone still won. That tells us the core works and we can add supports when progress stalls.

Wolchik et al. (1982) did an earlier campus version without self-evaluation. The 2017 update keeps the old bones but adds the self-score step, giving learners a built-in maintenance tool.

If you coach adults on social or vocational skills, you now have a quick, step-by-step recipe that works in person or on screen. Add a webcam and a checklist; let the learner grade their own clip. You will free up staff time and the client keeps improving after they leave.