ΠΕΡΙΓΡΑΦΗ

Selecting the right candidate is one of the most critical responsibilities of HR professionals and hiring managers. Effective interviews save time, reduce hiring risk and enhance the candidate experience, while supporting organisational objectives. Poor hiring decisions, by contrast, can disrupt teams, increase costs and delay organisational performance. 

This course draws on practical insights and proven strategies to help participants conduct fair, structured and effective interviews. It guides participants through the key stages of the selection process, strengthening their ability to ask the right questions, listen effectively, evaluate candidates objectively and make confident hiring decisions. 

The programme also addresses current developments shaping modern interviewing practices, including the Pay Transparency Directive, the increasing use of AI in recruitment, remote and hybrid interviewing and the realities of a candidate-led market. Through interactive exercises, real-life case studies, and guided practice, participants leave equipped to conduct interviews that are professional, consistent and aligned with organisational needs and candidate expectations.

ΣΚΟΠΟΣ ΣΕΜΙΝΑΡΙΟΥ

By the end of the programme, participants will be able to:

• Explain the purpose of effective interviewing within the recruitment and selection process and its impact on hiring outcomes and candidate experience.
• Prepare and structure professional interviews by defining role requirements, success criteria and a clear interview agenda.
• Demonstrate effective questioning techniques during interviews, including open-ended, behavioural, situational and probing questions, to elicit relevant evidence from candidates.
• Demonstrate effective listening techniques during interviews, including active and non-interventional listening, mirroring, echoing and note-taking, while recognising and managing common listening barriers.
• Evaluate candidates objectively by analysing interview evidence, scoring responses against predefined criteria and minimising common interviewing biases.
• Apply the principles of the Pay Transparency Directive during interviews, including appropriate handling of pay-related discussions and candidate questions.
• Enhance the candidate experience by conducting interviews that are professional, respectful, engaging and aligned with employer branding principles.
• Recognise how AI, remote and hybrid interviewing and a candidate-led labour market are shaping modern recruitment practices and evaluate their implications for effective interviewing.

ΣΕ ΠΟΙΟΥΣ ΑΠΕΥΘΥΝΕΤΑΙ

The programme is ideal for HR professionals and Line Managers from all sectors and disciplines who wish to learn how to professionally interview. It is designed for anyone who is involved in the interviewing process; as part of an interviewing board, at initial intake and/or internal promotion interviewing stages.

• HR Professionals
• Managers responsible for selecting candidates
• Hiring Line Manager
• Recruiting Manager
• Head of Recruitment
• Talent Acquisition specialist

ΠΕΡΙΣΣΟΤΕΡΕΣ ΠΛΗΡΟΦΟΡΙΕΣ

Trainer: Theodoros Verdis

A seasoned HR professional, Theodoros brings over 20 years of experience across consulting and industry roles. He began his career with PwC’s People & Organisation team, where he spent 7 years specializing in executive search and selection, assessment and development centers, leadership development, executive coaching, organizational restructuring and culture development initiatives. During this time, he worked with a diverse range of clients, including financial institutions, trading and technology firms, multinational corporations and public sector organizations. For the past 13 years, Theodoros has served as the HR Director of Abacus, a leading professional services firm, overseeing the full spectrum of human resource functions and contributing to the firm’s strategic growth and talent development. In parallel to this role, he is an Associate Partner of AIMS International Cyprus Limited. Theodoros holds an MSc in Human Resource Management from the University of Manchester. He is an HRDA-accredited trainer and an Accredited Coach through the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC).

Training Outline 

Principles and Guidelines

• The recruitment journey and candidate experience in today’s labour market
• Goals and principles of effective interviewing
• Interview structures and models and when to use them (e.g. competency-based, situational)
• Questioning techniques: direct, open-ended, behavioural, situational and probing questions
• Listening techniques and common listening barriers
• Objective assessment, evaluation criteria, and interviewer bias
• Pay transparency and fairness in interview discussions
• AI in recruitment and interviewing: opportunities, limitations and interviewer responsibility
• Remote and hybrid interviewing: maintaining quality, fairness and engagement
• Candidate-led market realities and managing challenging interview conversations

Practice Case Studies

• Interview scenarios focusing on questioning and listening skills
• Case studies on candidate evaluation and decision-making
• Managing bias and ensuring consistency across interviews
• Handling pay-related discussions and candidate expectations
• Interviewing in remote and hybrid environments
• Group discussions, practical exercises, and guided reflection

Training Style 

The programme is designed to develop practical skills and strengthen participants’ confidence in conducting interviews. Knowledge is delivered through short, focused lectures, real-life examples and methodology discussions, with the emphasis placed on interactive practice and experiential learning. 

Participants will engage in:

• Case studies and scenario exercises to apply questioning, listening and candidate evaluation techniques
• Guided practice to develop skills for structured interviews and scoring candidates objectively
• Group discussions and experience sharing to explore best practices, pitfalls and emerging trends in recruitment
• Feedback sessions to reinforce learning and ensure skills can be transferred directly to the workplace

Participants are encouraged to reflect on their own interviewing practices, share experiences and apply new techniques through guided activities. Ongoing feedback and discussion throughout the programme support learning transfer and help participants identify practical actions they can implement in their workplace. 

CPD Recognition 

This programme may be approved for up to 7 CPD units in Personal and Professional Development. Eligibility criteria and CPD Units are verified directly by your association, regulator or other bodies which you hold membership.