Why It's OK to Practice For Work

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You ask why don't people practice for job interviews? You can look to the very employers themselves.
Employers are sick of people who have been overly coached. The proliferation of job hunting Web sites has made this even worse.
Yet let's take your question to another level. Do you really believe in preparation, practice, and research? If so, would it be okay for a job candidate to listen to the questions at the interview, then come back with a presentation detailing the answers?
In essence, that's what you do for many jobs. An opportunity arises, you study it, get material on it, then present your solutions. This type of approach to work is completely discarded at many job interviews. Why? Because many employers believe more than ever that to find the real candidate, you have to treat the interview like a pop quiz.
Yes, there is this stupid belief that the smartest person is the one who thinks on their feet. A person who takes time to craft a well-thought out solution, however, is not seen as competent for the 21st Century which is all about speed.
Expect interviews to deteriorate, especially as less employers and candidates see them as exchanges to discuss how they'd do the work if hired. Moreover, candidates get burned when they do study a company, only to see the employer never even bothered preparing for the interview.

Greg of CA 3:42PM September 22, 2009

Important points that have also baffled me. The closest that I have come to estimating why people don't prepare, parallels your point about "not being cool". I suspect that some subconsciously believe that if they do not really try or put their heart and soul into wanting something, then they will not be devastated if or when it doesn't happen. The worst part is that it often becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy!

Jeanne Male of NJ 6:38AM September 16, 2009

The key as the readers have suggested is make it a part of your prep work. Oh...and another good reason for informational interviews...or even interviewing for the job you do not want.
Good comments Nick, Lewis and OfficeNewb!!

glh of MN 12:58AM September 16, 2009

This past week I had asked a client the same interview question three different ways, and his third attempt was the strongest response out of the three.
Of course, during an actual interview, one might not have three tries. Practice and work out all the kinks in your content, style, and delivery.
- Lewis, SeattleInterviewCoach.com

Seattle Interview Coach of WA 10:51PM September 15, 2009

I've always done this before interviews, presentations, meetings and the like. Everyone hates when someone calls a meeting and then isn't prepared with an agenda, objective or even something to discuss.
But then again, I'm the type of anal retentive person who likes to do a mental walkthrough of everything be it phone calls, going to a new location, meeting new people, etc.

The Office Newb of WA 5:34PM September 15, 2009

This tip is so basic that I need to thank GL for posting it! Why don't people do this? We're all in a hurry. I carry a little Olympus digital recorder in my pocket almost all the time. It's not just for recording my brilliant ideas. (Funny, later they usually sound pretty useless...) I use it to "recite" presentations I'm going to make, comments I need to deliver to someone about something, and to explain stuff I'll have to talk about later. Listening to this stuff later, I can easiliy identify what's good, what's not. Mostly not. Bonus: Saying it out loud into the recorder helps me remember it for later.

Nick Corcodilos of NJ 3:59PM September 15, 2009