Norte Joven is an NGO based in Madrid that helps facilitate the social and professional integration of young people. Their method is based on providing job training for basic jobs (e.g. cook, carpenter or electrician) and on providing basic education at the same time.

With the Spanish market going through a strong unemployment crisis, our colleagues at BNP Paribas Cardif Spain feel strongly about playing their part. That’s why BNP Paribas Cardif renewed its involvement with the organization in April 2012. The partnership comes in the form of both financial support for the basic training, as well as volunteer work performed by employees.

Volunteers train students for job interviews in different ways, both through workshops and role play, transmitting a valuable company-side perspective. They also took part in the open house, a recruitment initative called BNP Paribas Cardif Open, to meet and discuss with young potential recruits.

The training sessions took place with 12 voluntary employees of BNP Paribas Cardif that interviewed 24 students in total. The goal was to create a simulated job interview so that student could get training and learn how to behave in this kind of situation receiving feedback from the experience.

Feedback from the Norte Joven students:

“It was a great experience as I learned what a job interview was and I received constructive criticism on how to present myself. It is good for us to be prepared, to understand how the process works and know what we need to focus on. It gives me more confidence for future job interviews.” Marcos, 18 years old, electrician-in-training.

“I liked it as you are not evaluated by a teacher but by a professional who really knows the job interview process. I was confident as I already had job interview experience in the past, and I think I did it well. Nevertheless I learned some things that I didn’t know. It was a stimulating experience as you feel closer to the labor market.” Cristian, 20 years old, electrician-in-training.

“It was a good experience to face interviews with questions about me and my experience. In the past they only asked me questions on my experience and the work I was going to do, and how much money did I expect to make. This experience will help me for future interviews when I will finish the program in Norte Joven.” Jorge, 43 years old, electrician-in-training.