Examples, case studies, exercises
Practical activities for the initial / intake interview
Divide the candidates into groups of three: one will play the interviewing counsellor, the
second – the client, and the third will be an observer or supervisor. The purpose of the
activity is to practice the intake interview and at its end both the “client” and the
“observer” will offer feedback to the “counsellor”.
Here are a few examples of exercise or mediation topics for clients:
- Draw up a list of all your qualities and drawbacks you are aware of, or
trustworthy persons have informed you of. - Learn to put yourself on the spot reasonably, modestly, and convincingly!
- Think about facts or episodes in your life that have proved your qualities.
- Ask a friend or relative to enumerate in writing your qualities, strengths, and
faults. The list should also include examples of facts and behaviours.
Compare the two lists and discuss them together. - Imagine the interviewer asks you to speak about yourself.
- Choose from among your strengths a significant number of achievements,
aptitudes, things you are good at, in order to convince the interviewer that
you are the best person for the job. The qualities you choose must be related
to the specificity of the position. - Prepare a presentation of your strengths that spans over 4-5 minutes. Record
it and then analyse from the interviewer’s point of view: the tone, language,
arguments. Redo the exercise and the recording until you care satisfied and
feel that the presentation is attractive, natural, and convincing. - You will inevitably be asked about your weaknesses. Do not just confirm
them. Explain that lack of experience or ability is not an insurmountable
handicap, but an opportunity for professional development, especially if you
can come up with compensating achievements or qualities. - As for failures, if you have to talk about them, try to shed a more favourable
light on them. Prove that you are aware of them, that you have learned from
them, and you can defeat the weaknesses that generated them. - In order to convince that you are committed and wiling, motivated to fulfil
the professional requirements of the position, provide information on: the