A careers guidance interview is an impartial, one-to-one meeting between yourself and a professionally qualified careers adviser. A guidance interview can last about 45 minutes. A careers guidance interview is not like a job interview - there are no right or wrong answers.
Where the interview will take place
If you are a student, your interview will most likely take place in your school or college either in person, or via video call. If you are an adult it can be conducted remotely via video call, or in person in a local careers office.
What will be discussed
During a guidance interview the careers adviser will help you to:
- identify your personal qualities and skills
- identify the skills you would like to develop
- come up with ideas for study and work
- explore specific career areas open to you
- explore current and future job opportunities
- understand the process of job search, writing a CV and going for interviews
- explore your interests, likes and dislikes, family influences, personal barriers and work experience
- think about how study, work experience, and home-life can all contribute to your employability
The careers adviser will give you:
- accurate and up-to-date information
- the opportunity, if suitable, to complete a personality-based assessment which helps individuals to know themselves better
- alternative sources of information and help if required
- an action plan to help you move forward
How to prepare for your interview
Think about:
- your current situation – what planning you have already done, if any
- what you would like to change
- qualifications or additional qualifications and experience required for the career you are interested in
- how much control you feel you have in making choices
- the ideas you already have but don't know how to move forward with or perhaps you have no ideas at all
Benefits of a guidance interview
- increased motivation and self- confidence
- greater self-awareness
- identification of more achievable ambitions
- improved decision making skills
- increased awareness of opportunities
How to arrange a careers interview
There are many ways to contact a careers adviser and set up a careers interview:
If you are still at school you may ask your careers teacher to arrange an interview for you with a careers adviser.
- Careers Service
Interview satisfaction survey
If you have had a careers guidance interview, the Careers Service would value your feedback. Fill in the online survey below to help it improve its service.
- Careers Service Feedback Questionnaires
More useful links
- Skills to succeed
- Careers events
- Where to find a job
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