The interest in volunteering during the biggest events is growing and often there are more candidates than there are places. Therefore, the entire recruitment process takes place. Firstly application, description of your experiences, skills and motivation. After verifying these applications, some people are invited to an interview. I will briefly explain it today.
How and where does the interview for volunteering take place?
There are two options. The first is a live conversation. It takes place in the facility where the tournament will take place in the future or in a volunteer centre. This is mainly an option for local candidates. If you’re close and you can come, it’s worth using it. The second option is to talk via instant messengers, e.g. Skype, available mainly to candidates who live further away. This is not a worse option and you have same chances.
Usually, you should sign up for the conversation via the Internet system, and you will receive all the details by email.
What is needed for such a conversation?
Well working internet, webcam and a quieter place. The length of the conversation depends on the organizer, but standard is about half an hour. Meetings on site can be a little longer because they combine with a presentation about the tournament and the volunteer program, and even measuring outfit. You may also be asked to show an ID.
It also happens that recruitment takes the form of an assessment centre, i.e. instead of a direct conversation with the recruiter, group tasks are assessed. However, this is a rarer form (fortunately, in my opinion) in sports volunteering.
Interview for volunteering – tips
1) Remember, this is not a job interview. It takes a more relaxed form. Don’t stress. Smile recommended😊
This is supposed to be an adventure. Thanks to this you can already feel the ‘spirit of the tournament’, especially if you manage to participate in a conversation at the stadium or hall.
2) Although it is not a job interview (and you do not need to put on a shirt), the basic standards should be met. Come and connect in time, prepare the equipment in advance, turn off the TV or background music.
Read emails from the organizers and follow the instructions. For example, if they ask for your Skype username, send it on time.
These are such obvious things, but the lack of them can affect the overall impression. Because, if someone forgets to connect to the conversation, how confident can the organizer be that ‘in the future’ this person will not forget to come for his shift?
3) Review the tournament and volunteer program information in advance. Review the tasks described.
It is much better to talk to someone who knows what he volunteered for: D
In addition, it will help you prepare your questions. And ask, there is nothing wrong with that.
4) The most frequently asked questions are:
– your experience (in volunteering, but also outside volunteering, which may be useful, such as student organizations and events, professional work, courses)
– foreign languages
– motivation
– your availability (it is understandable that half a year earlier you are not able to specify exactly every hour when you will be available, but think, for example, whether you can and want to take days off from work a week before or only for e.g. two days)
5) Experience is important, but willingness and motivation are probably even more important. Everyone started once, so people without experience also have a chance.
You just need to convince the recruiter that you really want and understand what your role will be. If you just want to watch a competition, go to it as a spectator.
6) If the recruiter didn’t ask you something and you think it’s important, please add it. And answer the questions honestly. The conversation is not just about accepting someone, but also about assigning them to the appropriate department. The one in which the candidate will work well, but also fit and feel good.
For example, someone who does not like driving in a foreign city is not suitable for the driver. It makes no sense to colourize your driver’s abilities and then bother.
7) You may also be asked to have a short conversation in another language, usually in English.
This also serves to assign to the appropriate role (there are those where the basics are sufficient, there are those, where very good knowledge is necessary).
Remember that a recruiter is usually a volunteer, only more experienced. Get the most out of your conversation.
Good luck!
