Careers guidance interview

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

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.

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.