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Description

Recruitment Interviewing: Building the Framework, Probing for Facts and Closing Well

Two days to conduct structured recruitment interviews and defend your decisions against clear criteria

  • 2 days — 14 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Foundation
  • Up to 6 participants

Without a method, a recruitment interview turns into a conversation in which the most articulate candidate gains the advantage. Questions change from one candidate to the next, notes are incomplete, and the decision rests on an impression that is hard to explain to the hiring manager.

These 14 hours establish the fundamentals of interviewing for new or occasional recruiters. Participants learn to build an interview framework from the actual requirement, to run the interview to a controlled agenda, and to compare applications against shared criteria. Experienced recruiters will find further depth in the advanced programme.

Learning objectives

  • Translate a hiring requirement into ranked selection criteria
  • Build a single interview framework used for every candidate for a given role
  • Run an interview while controlling the agenda and the time available
  • Question candidates about professional situations they have genuinely experienced
  • Take usable notes and complete an evaluation grid
  • Compare applications and put forward a reasoned recommendation

What makes this programme different

An interview framework built during the programme around a real role held by the participant
Interviews role-played in groups of three with observation and immediate feedback
A comparison exercise in which every opinion must be supported by evidence gathered in the interview

Programme

1Preparing the Recruitment Process

The interview is won beforehand

  • Analysing the requirement with the hiring manager and ranking the criteria
  • Translating the requirement into competencies to be assessed
  • Building the interview framework and allocating time
  • Screening applications and preparing questions specific to each file

2Conducting the Interview

Keeping control from start to finish

  • Welcoming the candidate and setting out the agenda
  • Moving through the sequences and managing time
  • Presenting the role and the organisation at the right moment
  • The recruiter's posture and handling very talkative or very reserved candidates

3Questioning and Gathering Facts

What the candidate has done rather than what they claim to be able to do

  • Questioning around professional situations actually experienced
  • Follow-up questions to obtain context, action and result
  • Handling evasive answers and rehearsed narratives
  • Taking notes during the interview without losing contact
  • Questions to avoid in order to keep the process fair and non-discriminatory

4Assessing and Closing

Deciding on shared criteria

  • Completing the evaluation grid immediately after the interview
  • Comparing applications criterion by criterion
  • Identifying the most common biases in your own judgement
  • Putting a reasoned recommendation to the hiring manager
  • Responding to unsuccessful candidates and protecting the employer brand

Who is it for

Managers who recruit occasionally, along with junior recruitment officers, HR assistants and owner-managers of small organisations.

Prerequisites

No prior knowledge required

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.