Up to 15,000 volunteers will play a crucial role in ensuring Glasgow 2014 is a roaring success. But how do you manage the country's biggest ever peacetime recruitment drive, and what should those going through the interview process expect?

It's summer 2013, and the Glasgow 2014 Volunteer Centre in Glasgow city centre is a hive of activity. Throngs of people mill around the reception, chatting animatedly in groups, waiting to go through the interview process that will decide whether they will play a part in one of the biggest events ever to take place in Scotland.

The eyes of the world will be on Glasgow, and the hospitality received by the thousands of athletes, coaches officials and visitors will be crucial in determining the overall success of the Games.

And what recruitment a drive it is. After receiving more than 50,000 applications - a Commonwealth Games record, and more than the numbers for Manchester and Melbourne combined - the organisers are now well into the 25,000-plus interviews required to recruit up to 15,000 people to undertake countless roles - from welcoming and accrediting athletes and handing out uniforms to driving, stewarding at venues and providing specialist medical care - that will enable the Games to function.

The person ultimately responsible for making sure the army of volunteers is in the right place at the right time is Valerie Mitchell, Glasgow 2014's Head of Games workforce. It's a mammoth task, but one that Valerie, who has already worked on the project for four years, is clearly relishing.

"This is the biggest peacetime recruitment drive ever to take place in Scotland, so it's a massive undertaking," says Valerie.

"It's been a long journey up to now, and there's a fair way to go, but it's been really enjoyable and I feel very proud to be part of it. Although I'm overseeing the whole process, I still do some interviewing myself and it's very humbling to hear people talk about why they want to volunteer - it reminds you why we are here and what the Games is all about."

Interestingly, the vast majority of potential volunteers are actually interviewed by other volunteers - the 300 so-called Frontrunners who are already doing their bit for the Games more than a year before the opening ceremony. Interviews will go on until December, with volunteer positions being offered from October right up to the beginning of the Games in July 2014.

Valerie says she has been amazed by the diverse nature of the applications, which have come from all over the world, from people of all backgrounds and ages. Sixty-five per cent of the applications have come from Scotland, and 38% have come from young people aged 16-25.

"Statistics for these type of events show that there is usually a high attrition rate, with lots of people dropping out before the interview," says Valerie." Here in Glasgow, however, nine out of 10 people invited for interview are turning up - that's a fantastic figure.

"We've had people coming from all over England, from France and the US. Interestingly, many of those from overseas who want to volunteer have a connection to Scotland - either they are from Scotland originally or they've visited and really want to come back.

"As for the backgrounds of the applicants, it couldn't be more diverse - we've had company directors and the unemployed, students, retired people and stay-at-home mums. They come from every walk of life."

Regardless of where they come from, each potential volunteer will go through a similar journey. If invited for interview, they will come through the specialist Volunteer Centre, where their details will be checked - one young candidate turned out to be a year too young, says Valerie, so had to be turned away - and they will have a chance to bond with other applicants, get sized for uniforms, watch a video outlining the essence of the volunteer experience and share their thoughts on taking part. And then, of course, comes the 30-minute interview itself.

So, what are the organisers really looking for? According to Valerie it's about more than simply having technical skills.

"The roles are very diverse but everyone needs to have some key skills, such as being able to  communicate well, being determined and, of course, having the ability to keep smiling," she says.

"We're looking to find out what people can give the Games over and above their technical abilities. They need to show us that they are the right fit for the Glasgow 2014 team."

Those who do make it through the selection process will then undergo security checks in January, before training begins in March, lasting all the way to July 2014.

Valerie hopes, in the end, that this huge recruitment drive and intricate selection process will pay dividends by not only delivering the friendliest Games yet, but by leaving a legacy.

"We hope that in future those who volunteered for Glasgow 2014 will go on to volunteer for other events," she says. "Volunteering brings people together."