Career Construction Interview Guide
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ScribdTranslationsCareer Construction Interview Guide
Uploaded by
ScribdTranslationsCareer Construction Interview (Savickas et al.
, 2009)
Stage 1
1- Who did you admire while growing up?
Identify 3 childhood role models of the client; explore each of them, seeking
to know more about each one and what the client admired in them. It can be
asked what is common with each one; in what sense is the client
Do you see yourself as similar or different and how does that make you feel; it can also be
asked if these role models are people or characteristics they admire today, and if not,
what has changed. This can lead to a discussion about the values and qualities that the
the client admires and then encourages to reflect on how these values have manifested in
your professional journey so far.
Do you regularly subscribe to or read any magazines? (TV series, websites, podcasts, ...)
This question allows the client to talk about their interests. Asking about the ...
activities that you currently do and are interested in, instead of the choices you make.
It is useful to identify 3 examples and explore with the client about what they like about them.
choices; what do they say about you; what connections can you find between your
answers and your career.
3- Currently, what is your favorite story from a book or a movie?
Stories from books or movies can sometimes reveal ideas for plans or strategies.
careers that can be used by the client to help them move towards
next step. Encourage the client to tell the story in 4 or 5 sentences. One can ask
about the main characters and their motivations, how they feel and why
they made those particular choices. Again, ask if they see any connection between the
identified elements and their current situation. How would it be for the client if they adopted the
same type of strategies as the characters in the story.
4- What is your favorite saying?
A favorite saying or motto, or a bumper sticker, or the message that
I would print on a t-shirt, tends to summarize his own approach to life. Savickas
describe it as 'the best advice the client has for themselves' and it can be a
a powerful way to allow your client to see if their behavior or your
history, up to the present, matches the expectations you have for yourself.
5- What are your earliest memories?
Try to obtain three different stories from your client and make sure that he/she is
remember specific incidents and not general memories. Early childhood memories
can provide information about the self-situation, as they may expose some aspects
fundamentals of a person's identity. Ask your client to recount the story,
focusing on how you felt about the incident at the time and how you
feels about him now, when recalling him. Ask how your 'self' at four
years was the same or different from your current "self" and, once again, ask him to find
some connections between your stories and the situation you are in now.
Stage 2
Debriefing