Certified Interview Strategist Credentialing Program

Master Certified Interview Strategist (MCIS) Process

The prestigious Master Certified Interview Strategist (MCIS) designation is reserved for the top strategists in our industry. Only once you have been awarded your Certified Interview Strategist (CIS) credential may you apply for the MCIS designation if you feel that you are qualified and wish to do so.

In order to obtain and maintain your Master Certified Interview Strategist (MCIS) designation you must meet all of the following requirements:

• Currently possess your Certified Interview Strategist (CIS) designation.
• Have a minimum of five years paid experience providing strategic interview advice to clients.
• Submit by e-mail and pass an independent evaluation of three in-depth case studies.
• Have your clients each submit by e-mail a reference and written agreement to use your work.
• Maintain a current membership with Career Professionals of Canada.

Case Study Requirements

To attain the Master Certified Interview Strategist (MCIS) designation, you must pass an Independent Evaluation of three complete case studies. E-mail your complete files directly to info@CareerProCanada.ca with subject line “MCIS Evaluation Submission.” Each case study must include the following:

Three 2000 word case studies detailing your strategy. Your case studies submitted must adequately discuss the following:

• Your client’s qualifications and the target position
• Your client’s Value Proposition
• Techniques you utilized to prepare your client for an employment interview.
• Your coaching strategy explaining what you intentionally covered or excluded
• How you overcame any challenges or obstacles for your client
• How you have enriched this client’s ability to handle employment interviews

Your client’s non-fictionalized resume and other supporting documentation (job postings, job descriptions etc.)

Proof of Paid Experience

Document your five (5) years of paid experience providing strategic interview advice to clients. Provide scanned copies of two of the following dated documents from over five (5) years ago:

• Paid client receipt from 5+ years ago
• Membership certificate from a professional career association
• Print advertisements of your services
• Published articles you authored on interview strategy
• Any other document that verifies your 5 years of experience.

Client Reference and Confidentiality Requirements

For each of your three case study submissions, we require that you obtain a letter of reference. To honour your clients’ confidentiality we also require written agreement to use their experience as part of your case presentation. Please instruct your client to send an e-mail from their originating email to info@CareerProCanada.ca with the subject line "MCIS Evaluation Submission - <insert your name>" as shown in the box below.

Your client’s e-mail must effectively respond to the following questions:
How would you describe your experience of working with an interview strategist?
What skills and concepts did you learn from this training?
Did your interview strategist effectively support your job search initiatives? If so, how?

Client approval example:

To: info@CareerProCanada.ca Cc: Your e-mail address  Subject: MCRS Portfolio Evaluation - Candidate's Name   I, Name of client, authorize Name of credential applicant to release information regarding career services provided to Career Professionals of Canada (CPC). I understand that this information will be reviewed by CPC’s Certification Review members for the sole purpose of assessing my strategist's abilities and qualifications. I understand that the information will be kept confidential and will not be shared with any other party.   Sincerely, Client's Name Client's Phone Number

Upon receipt of your submission, an independent MCIS certified assessor will evaluate your complete submission and determine your eligibility to be awarded the MCIS. You will be notified of your status within four weeks of your submission.

Assessors are provided with a standard evaluation form to mark submissions. The evaluation assesses and grades the following areas:

• The strategy you utilized to prepare your client for an employment interview.
• The Value Proposition that you enabled your client to develop and articulate.
• The strategy you employed in the actual interview role-play with your client.
• How you helped your client to address any obstacles or elimination factors.
• How you helped your client to deal with challenging or complex interview scenarios.
• Your compliance to the principles outlined in the Johari Window.
• Your overall attention to authenticity, ethics, and integrity.
• Your client’s experience working with you.

 

To pass, you must achieve an average grade of 80% or more. You will be notified of your status within four weeks of your submission.
Once you have achieved your MCIS certification, your designation is valid for a period of two years as long as you remain an active member of Career Professionals of Canada.

Your designation can be renewed in full every two years by submitting a report demonstrating at least ten hours dedicated to ongoing professional development and ten hours to volunteerism in two years accompanied by payment of the renewal fee.

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