the rules to follow, the most frequent questions and the recommended answers, etc.,
counsellors organize simulation activities (an entire interview or merely stages),
according to how much time and other resources are in the career counselling process.
Counsellors train their clients for a recruitment interview from the larger perspective of a
career action plan and an “intelligent” approach to the organization, institution, or
company aimed by the client. Interviews are the first direct contact with the firm clients
have in view, however before the interview clients will be instructed on several other
equally important stages:
- setting clear professional objectives at least on short and medium term;
- analysing the opportunities offered by the desired position and initiating
some research on the specificity of the company’s activity, its economic
power and impact on the market; - applying for the position (application, CV, letter of intention) either directly,
or by mail, e-mail, fax, etc.
It is important that during career counselling equal importance is allotted to all stages, not
just to the interview itself. A successful interview is practically impossible without
thoroughly preparing the other aspects.
In what follows, we present in brief the information considered important for training the
client in view of such an experience.
The structure of a recruitment interview
In a formal interview, the questions follow a pre-established logic or scenario:
a. First contact and ice-breaking questions. Examples:
Did you find us easily?
How are you feeling today?
There may be a stage where the recruiting counsellor introduces himself or
herself and then, in a few words, presents the company, its activity, the position
under discussion (open or newly created).b. Questions for the introduction of the candidate. Examples:
When did you graduate?
What is your specialty?
Did you also graduate from other training stages? Where?
Can you tell me a few things about your experience in ...?c. Detailed questions on certain topics of interest for the employer. Examples:
We noticed in your CV that ... Could you elaborate on that?
We noticed that there is a two-year gap in your CV. Could you explain what
happened?