Building Confidence and Connection: How Interview Training Shapes Our Future Together

At Gallagher, we believe that navigating the future together starts with equipping our colleagues with the tools and confidence they need to succeed. Our Interview Training sessions are more than just skill-building. They’re about fostering collaboration, sharing insights, and creating a consistent approach that reflects The Gallagher Way. We spoke with two trainers, Paige and Gemma, to learn what makes these sessions impactful and how they help shape a better candidate experience.

Creating Dynamic Learning Environments

For Paige, the most rewarding part of delivering these sessions is the energy in the room. “I really enjoy the dynamic interaction that naturally develops within the group. Each training session brings together people with different levels of interview experience and confidence, and it’s incredibly rewarding to watch them share their stories, challenges, and insights.” She also values seeing colleagues connect in new ways, sparking fresh perspectives that make the learning environment engaging and collaborative.

Gemma agrees, highlighting the importance of open discussion. “I enjoy the engagement and group discussions we have within each session. It’s a good opportunity for colleagues to share experiences and new ideas for interviews and for us as TA professionals to learn more about how colleagues conduct their interviews.”

Empowering Hiring Managers for Success

The benefits of these sessions extend far beyond the learning experience. Paige explains, “The sessions give hiring managers greater confidence that they’re following best practice and applying ‘The Gallagher Way’ to interviewing. They leave with a clearer understanding of how to structure and run a well-organised interview, how to ask effective, evidence-based questions, and how to get the most out of each conversation with a candidate.”

Gemma adds that the training creates a space for collaboration among hiring managers. “They will meet other hiring managers and be able to share their views and experiences and ask questions on a range of topics covered that they may not have thought of.” business.

Skills That Make a Difference

One of the most significant takeaways for participants is understanding the impact of their approach on the candidate experience. Paige notes, “They learn how to create a more welcoming, structured, and transparent interview environment, which not only helps candidates perform at their best but also reflects positively on the organisation.”

Another key takeaway is understanding recruitment bias. “Many participants are surprised by how easily biases such as affinity bias, confirmation bias, or halo/horns effects can influence decision-making without them realising,” Paige adds. The training gives practical tools to minimise bias, like using structured questions and consistent evaluation criteria, leading to fairer and more objective decisions.

Professional Growth for Trainers

Delivering these sessions has been a growth opportunity for the trainers themselves. Paige shares, “It’s strengthened my confidence speaking in front of groups, facilitating discussions, and managing a wide range of personalities, experience levels, and learning styles.”

For Gemma, the experience has been transformative: “Delivering this training has massively increased my confidence in public speaking. I would normally shy away from anything that means I have to speak in front of a group of people but conducting the training has shown me that I can do it.”

Moments That Matter

Feedback from participants reinforces the value of these sessions. Paige recalls that one participant shared, “I really enjoyed the session. I’ve done a lot of interviewing, managed assessment centres, and delivered feedback to unsuccessful applicants, but as a new joiner to Gallagher it was really helpful to understand how things are done here.”

Gemma remembers a discussion that changed perspectives, “We had discussed the importance of providing feedback after the interview and a couple of the managers said they did provide feedback but never very detailed. They had never thought of the importance of this for candidates who are not being taken forward.”

By sharing knowledge, building confidence, and fostering collaboration, we’re not just improving interviews. We’re shaping a future where every colleague feels empowered to champion The Gallagher Way.