Guaranteed Interview Program (GIP)

NOVA’s Guaranteed Interview Program (GIP) connects students and alumni in applied degree and non-credit programs with local employers for initial screening interviews. Launched in 2020, the program initially focused on high-demand sectors such as healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades. Our goal is to identify and expand interview offerings to additional programs in the College.  Partnerships with employers are crucial to help students develop essential career readiness skills and connect students with internship and job opportunities. Employers have different options to participate, including career preparation/exploration interviews (mock-interviews & informational interviews) and/or talent recruitment (screening interviews for current open jobs and/or internships). Most interviews are conducted virtually, though some in-person interview opportunities may be available in conjunction with Career Fairs and career services events. The GIP team manages student scheduling and communication, a resume packet is provided to the employer prior to the interview date, and the GIP team is available during the interview session for any assistance needed. Employers interested in participating can contact the Guaranteed Interview Program Coordinator, Rachel Krempasky, rkrempasky@nvcc.edu  to learn about participating academic programs and details to set up a GIP session. Thank you for your interest in the Guaranteed Interview Program!

Feedback From Current GIP Employer Participants:

“NOVA students make for an ideal candidate pool for our entry level tech jobs. The students have shown the motivation and grit required to break into the industry.”  Recruiter, Red River

“Year after year, NOVA’s Guaranteed Interview Program continues to exceed our expectations by always providing top tier talent. GIP has allowed Inova to strengthen its bond with the communities that we are proud to serve and be a part of.” Sourcing Consultant, Inova Health System

GIP FAQs

No! This program guarantees that a student would get time with a representative of an employer (typically a recruiter or HR professional) to have a screening interview or career exploration session. Feedback from the employers helps us to identify gaps in career readiness skills that can be shared with students and faculty to better prepare for future interviews.

Interviews can take place throughout the calendar year. Please note that NOVA’s applied programs have three graduation dates: May, August and December.  Most interviews for applied students take place in the months prior to graduation (March, April, June, July, September, October and early November).  Workforce (non-credit) courses range from one day to six months with a variety of end dates. Interviews can be held throughout the year.

Due to a variety of factors, we do not hold interviews for all academic programs. Some programs that do not have GIP opportunities have given alternative employer engagement opportunities that we will share.    

Workforce (noncredit): Nurse Aide Preparation (CNA), Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), Certified Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS), EPA Section 608 Technician Certification, CompTIA® A+, CompTIA® Network +, CompTIA® Security+, IT Specialist: Python Certification, AWS Cloud Practitioner, Certified Apartment Leasing Professional (CALP), Massage Therapy, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Applied: Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Architecture Technology, Automotive Technology, Construction Management, Accounting, Cloud Computing, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Center Operations, Information Technology, Dental Assisting, Dental Hygiene, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Emergency Medical Services, Health Information Management, Medical Laboratory Technology, Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapy Assistant, Phlebotomy, Respiratory Therapy, Radiography, Engineering Technology

Please ask our team! If we are not yet working with an academic program, we will start the inquiry process to see if it would be feasible to set up interview opportunities with students. If we have already connected with an academic program that is not participating in Guaranteed Interviews, we will give you additional information on how to engage with that program.

Virtual interview opportunities are at no cost to employers. Some in-person opportunities may involve a fee due to room rental space, materials and administrative fees.

Yes, any interviewer must have a (free) account on our career connection platform. Sign up using this link for a free account on  Career Connection (powered by Symplicity)

No, at this time there are no participation minimums that need to be kept. We do hope that you will think of NOVA’s GIP program when you have internship and/or job openings and will hold recurring sessions with us!

We ask for a session to be listed for students for two-weeks in our career connection platform. This gives our students ample time to review the opportunity, sign up and to connect with a career counselor to update their resume and prepare for the interview.  Employers should request a session 2 ½ - 3 weeks prior to the date(s) they would like to interview.

Most in-person sessions will be a direct ask to an employer from the GIP team in conjunction with a BECS event. If you are interested in holding an in-person interview session, please note that it may come with a fee, and we will need more lead time (a minimum of 1 month request in advance) to find and book room space at the appropriate location.  Approval for an in-person GIP session will rely on program enrollment, space availability, academic calendar timing and GIP team availability.

Yes! This will give students at any stage of their academic journey time to connect with you.

Students will register for interviews on NOVA’s Career Connection Platform. Most employers interview a student and if they determine they would like to move forward they will discuss what req to apply to in their ATS at the end of their interview and/or will send the student a follow up email with instructions. The interviewer can advise students to apply to specific posting and follow the employers standard processes from that point on.

For more information, please contact Rachel Krempasky, MPA @ rkrempasky@nvcc.edu