In every interview situation, there are common questions that will be asked. Don’t wait until the interview to decide your responses!
Be prepared and think through your answers before you arrive. Write down your answers and practice in the mirror and with a friend or colleague. Keep your answers brief, usually less than 1 minute. Remember, confidence, quality of presentation and listening are keys to successful interviews.
Sample Interview Questions
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why are you interested in this agency?
- How does the work in this organization fit your professional mission or experience?
- Why do you want this job? Why do you want to work for this organization?
- What are your experiences with the target population?
- Why do you want to work with this target population?
- What are your qualifications?
- What kind of supervision do you expect?
- How has your education/work experience prepared you for this position?
- What do you hope to accomplish at this agency?
- What would you like to learn here?
- Have you done this type of work in the past?
- What issues might you have with [adoption, for example]?
- What schedule will work for you?
- What are your career goals? For the next 3 years? The next 5 years? The next 10 years?
- What are some of your strengths? Some of your weaknesses?
- How do you define success for yourself?
- How do you plan?
- What is your work style?
- How do you work with others?
- Tell me about a time when you had to juggle your regular responsibilities and deal with a sudden priority?
- Are you a leader or a follower?
- Describe the process you go through in developing a [case plan, budget, workshop, contract, or marketing plan, for example].
- Describe your supervision experience? Supervision style?
- What is your ideal position and career path?
- Is there anything you would like to say to close the interview?
- Do you have any questions? (Answer: Yes! You should always have questions.)
