Our interview training provides participants with the skills and knowledge to develop a consistent, effective approach, ensuring they get the most out of every competency-based interview. The programme is tailored for anyone involved in recruitment or internal promotions - HR, hiring managers or team members.
This programme is delivered by our Occupational Psychology team, who are subject-matter experts in this area and are QQI-accredited in Training Delivery and Evaluation while being qualified to Masters Level in Organisational Psychology.
The Objectives
Adhere to a robust process before, during and after the interview
Understand interview objectives and follow a structured process
Use the STAR methodology for relevant questioning
Ensure fairness, transparency and compliance with relevant legislation i.e. GDPR, Equality Acts
Discuss Equality, Diversity & Inclusion best practice
Take evidence-based notes and provide guidance on rating
Provide insights from research/case studies
Select the right talent, improve your candidate experience and promote your employer brand
Our People Consulting Team
30 years of recruitment experience offering invaluable insights into assessment best practices
Occupational Psychology Consultants with Master's-level expertise
British Psychological Society Test User Ability and Personality Qualified
Proven track record of delivering tailored assessment solutions to both public and private sector clients
Meet the Team
Contact our People Consulting Team for an Initial Consultation:
Emma joined Collins McNicholas as an Occupational Psychology Consultant in September 2016 designing and administering bespoke assessment solutions for Collins McNicholas clients. She was promoted to Senior Consultant in 2019 and appointed as Manager of the People Consulting Team in March 2020. Emma has previous experience working with a psychometric assessment provider for recruitment, selection and development. Emma’s background is in Organisational Psychology with a BA in Psychology from Mary Immaculate College, Limerick and an MSc in Work and Organisational Psychology from the University of Limerick. Emma is certified by the British Psychological Society for Level A and B Test User Qualifications: Ability and Personality Psychometrics. She is also QQI Train the Trainer certified.
Caroline Macklin is currently an Interim Manager of the People Consulting Team at Collins McNicholas. She joined the team in 2011 and is responsible for designing and providing assessment services, ranging from volume recruitment to executive search support for a wide range of clients, providing recruitment project management, training and outplacement. Caroline holds an MSc in Occupational Psychology from the University of Nottingham and is certified by The British Psychological Society to carry out Levels A and B+ Psychometric Assessment (OPQ, 16PF and Dimensions personality profiling tools), as well as assessment centre design. She is a Chartered Member of the CIPD and Chairperson of the CIPD Ireland Midlands Region.
Ciara Holohan is an Occupational Psychology Consultant at Collins McNicholas. She joined the team in 2021 and is responsible for designing and administering bespoke assessment solutions for Collins McNicholas clients. Ciara has previous experience working with a psychometric assessment provider in areas of selection and development. Ciara’s background is in Organisational Psychology with a BA in Psychology from the National University of Ireland, Galway and an MSc in Work and Organisational Psychology from the University of Limerick. Ciara is certified by the British Psychological Society for Level A and B Test User Qualifications: Ability and Personality Psychometrics.
“I recently attended training on “Preparing Customers to Succeed” through Collins McNicholas delivered by Emma and Mairead. This course was well structured and gave me a very insightful overview of the importance of a good CV and Cover Letter. I also found the training on competency interviews to be very worthwhile. With this additional knowledge I have gained from the course, I feel better equipped to help navigate my customers in their pursuits for employment. Both trainers were very engaging and competent in their delivery.“
Case Officer - Department of Affairs & Social Protection
“Co. Sligo LEADER Partnership would like to Thank Collins McNicholas for a job well done. Your online tutorials on creating a winning cv and interview preparation, etc. were very informative and met the needs of our clients.”
Karen Gabbidon - Community Development Office
“The training was very energising, bringing lots of ideas, with both substantial and in-depth knowledge together with case studies, learning from experience. I have gained a lot of knowledge. The venue, materials & facilitation was excellent. I would recommend this course to anyone working in or interested in this area.“
Case Officer - Department of Affairs & Social Protection
“Collins McNicholas delivered a two-day classroom-based training to staff in the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection on ‘Preparing Customers to Succeed’. Collins McNicholas covered all our training needs and requirements and more. From the feedback received from staff that attended the two-day course, the trainers were professional, competent and engaging in their delivery of the content.”
Jane O'Connor - Divisional Trainer, West Division, Department of Affairs & Social Protection
“Edwards Vacuum has a strong commitment to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workforce. We wanted to upskill hiring managers and HR to apply a Diversity and Inclusion lens to their interviewing and hiring practice, ensuring it supported Edwards Vacuum’s commitment to attracting and hiring the best candidates from the widest possible talent pool.
We partnered with Collins McNicholas HR Service’s Team to deliver an online training session focussing on relevant theory and practice in this area. The session was highly interactive, engaging and focused on our challenging assumptions. Collins McNicholas incorporated our current processes and practices which resulted in a thoroughly enjoyable training session.”
Niamh Scully, Snr HR Specialist, Edwards Vacuum
“Collins McNicholas Recruitment & HR Services Group delivered Competency Based Application Form training to a group of over 100 employees here at Louth County Council. As per our request, they delivered this session via webinar, over the course of 2 hours. The training delivered was tailored to our needs, and provided our employees with excellent advice, guidance and direction on how to complete competency-based application forms. The feedback from those who attended the training has been extremely positive, and it appears to have been a very beneficial and worthwhile session for all.”
Ann Kieran, Louth County Council
“Ciara from Collins McNicholas’ Occupational Psychology team provided us with assessment solutions during our recent recruitment process for Home Services Administrators. The psychometric assessments have added value to our process and helped us achieve the right skills fit for our organisation. They also delivered Best Practice Interview Training in house to our staff. This training was both interactive and informative and provided us with a better awareness of legal compliance in interviewing and the importance of question development. Ciara has been a pleasure to engage with and we look forward to continuing to work with her and Collins McNicholas in the future.”
Anne Beirne, HR Officer, Family Carers Ireland
“Emma, Caroline and Ciara have delivered practical techniques and real-world examples which has been very beneficial to employees who are interviewing for the business - the workshops were interactive and informative. It has always provoked further discussion amongst our employees, across both the Dublin & Waterford sites, which further adds to their understanding of best practice interviewing.”
Rachel Northover, Recruitment Lead, Bausch & Lomb
