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If you’re looking for a volunteer position with a church, hospital, youth organization, or another charitable establishment, there’s a very good chance you’ll be interviewed before being offered the role.
You might be thinking, “it’s not a job, why would I be interviewed to volunteer?” but, nowadays, it’s a widely used practice by organizations in almost every industry. Interviewing volunteer applicants allows hiring managers to narrow down the pool of applicants and only bring on people whose values align most closely with the organization’s mission.
No matter what industry you work in, having valuable volunteer experiences will help you boost your job application and ace professional interviews. It’s even more important if you’re applying for a position in academia or in the non-profit sector, where volunteer experiences could be the difference between landing your dream job and getting a rejection letter.
Key Takeaways:
Volunteer position candidates should be sure to research the company, review common interview questions, and practice your interview skills with a mock interview to help you be prepared for the interview.
Interviewers should create behavioral and common interview questions to ask the candidate to determine their skills and experience levels, as well as be prepared to answer questions from the candidate.
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Interviews are an important step in securing rewarding work as a volunteer in an industry that closely aligns with your personal beliefs, professional goals, and life values. Make a good impression at your first volunteer interview by highlighting your skills and illustrating why you're a great fit for the position.
Tell me about yourself. This question will be asked to get to know you better as a person and a candidate. Your answer should highlight your relevant experiences and skills. Be sure answer relates back to the job position.
Example Answer:
I have six years of experience volunteering with various volunteer initiatives and organizations, which have provided me valuable experiences and a deep sense of fulfillment. During my last volunteer position, I was able to improve on my communication and interpersonal skills. I worked closely with individuals from different backgrounds and age groups.
I have a genuine passion for the cause this volunteer opportunity supports. I believe in their mission and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my time and skills to make a difference in the lives of others.
Where do you see yourself in five years? This question is often asked to get an understanding of what your long term goals are. The interviewer is also looking to see how their organization or company fall into those goals. Be sure to highlight your personal aspirations with the specific role that you are applying for.
Example Answer:
My goal for the next time years is to leave a lasting legacy of positive change through my volunteer efforts. I hope to contribute more meaningful and impactful ways to this organization by taking on leadership roles or spearheading new initiatives within the volunteer community.
What are your strengths and weaknesses? This is another common question that will be asked at an interview. When discussing your strengths, be sure to talk about any relevant strengths that you have that align with the job position. When talking about weaknesses, you should discuss what you are doing to improve the weaknesses to turn them into a positive.
Example Answer:
I believe my strong communication skills would be my greatest strength. I have developed strong interpersonal skills through my previous experiences working with various teams and communities. I practice active listening and this helps me to understand the needs and concerns of others effectively.
While I am a strong communicator, I am actively working on my public speaking skills. I am confident in small group and one-on-one interactions, but I am working to enhance my ability to speak in larger audiences.
Why do you want to work as a volunteer? “Why do you want this job?” is probably the most commonly asked interview question. You’re not off the hook here when it comes to volunteer interviews. When applying for a volunteer role hiring managers want to know why you’re so interested in the position.
It’s important to frame your answer to this common volunteer interview question in a way that shows that you’re motivated to volunteer with the company, you’re dedicated to the cause or charity, and you have what it takes to help bring the organization to the next level.
Example Answer:
I’ve always wanted to give back. I grew up in the foster care system so volunteering for a youth service organization is really important to me. I’d like to work as a volunteer because some of my best childhood memories and experiences are with volunteers from the youth group I was involved with.
Why do you want to volunteer for this organization? Volunteers can expect to be asked this question since hiring managers are interested in knowing why applicants are interested in volunteering for their organization in particular instead of a competing charity.
Example Answer:
I’m excited to use my professional skills as an environmental scientist to help build the Wildlife Refuge. The first thing that caught my eye about the organization is that you’re so committed to educating the public and promoting environmental sustainability. I want to volunteer here because these are all values that are highly important to me.
What experience do you have volunteering? This question is pretty straightforward. This is your chance to sum up your volunteering experience and related skills, just as you would walk a job recruiter through your resume during an employment interview.
It’s important to highlight your most relevant volunteer experience when answering this question. If you don’t yet have any experience volunteering, you can instead focus on the skills you have and how you think they’ll help you to succeed as a volunteer.
Example Answer:
I volunteered my time at the public library while I was in high school and I participated in a mission trip to Peru in college. That was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I spent six months fundraising with a group of students and then we went to Peru for three weeks to help build an orphanage.
Our best volunteers are forward-thinkers who come to us with new ideas to help further our mission and save money. Tell me about an idea you’ve implemented. Non-profit organizations are after volunteers who are proactive and multi-talented. Successful volunteers notice areas for improvement and take action to make positive changes.
Example Answer:
In my current position as an executive assistant, I noticed that our fundraising efforts were falling behind. I had the idea to restructure our fundraising program. I strategically delegated tasks, implemented weekly meetings to review our appeal for funds, contacted potential donors, and helped plan new charity events.
What keeps you motivated at work? If you think it’s important to show enthusiasm during job interviews, it’s even more important when interviewing for a volunteer position. “What motivates you?” is one of the most common job interview questions.
Since volunteers donate their time to organizations and do not receive any monetary compensation in return, it’s important that they’re dedicated to the charity’s mission and motivated to do their work.
Example Answer:
Success motivates me at work. Seeing my hard work pay off and lead to achievements for both myself and the company I work for inspires me to do my best work every day. I find that I’m most motivated when working for mission-oriented companies, where I can learn new things and implement creative ideas.
Working at a hospital, medical facility, or charitable healthcare organization is perhaps the most popular type of volunteer opportunity. Today, as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic, more and more professionals are looking to volunteer in this industry.
Interview questions to get a position volunteering in a hospital might look something like this:
What experience do you have in a hospital or medical facility? Volunteer hiring managers typically place people in positions that match their experiences. Reviewing your experience with the interviewer will help them determine the best role for you.
While it’s not always required to have previous experience working in a hospital, it’s important, to be honest when answering this question since certain skill sets and prior experience can be necessary for certain departments.
Example Answer:
I volunteered on and off, for about a year, at my local hospital. I was usually responsible for restocking supplies and interacting with patients. After I rounded patient’s rooms I normally helped the nurses with discharges, answering calls, and charting medical records.
What would you do if you encountered an unhappy patient? Volunteering at a hospital or medical facility comes with big responsibilities. If you’re asked a situational interview question like this, make sure to highlight your commitment to patient satisfaction and describe how you would handle the situation.
Example Answer:
The reason I love volunteering at hospitals is seeing patients smile. They have so much going on already, I hate seeing them unhappy. If I did encounter an unhappy patient I would stay positive and have a friendly interaction with them where I’d try to understand why they were upset and figure out how I could help.
Why do you want to volunteer with this hospital? Recruiters are almost always interested in knowing why you want to volunteer with their hospital instead of another one nearby. To answer this question successfully, you’ll need to do your research and be specific in your reason.
Example Answer:
I am a huge advocate of medical research, and I’ve been making annual donations to the hospital’s cancer research center for the past several years. I feel that this hospital in particular values innovation and I want to get behind that and do what I can to help find a cure for cancer.
If you’re looking to volunteer with a church, temple, mosque, or other religious organization, the interview questions may be a bit different. In addition to being a well-rounded and ambitious candidate, applicants looking to volunteer with faith-based organizations should also hold similar beliefs to those valued by the organization they’re interviewing with.
Here are the top interview questions asked to candidates applying for faith-based volunteer positions:
What role does faith play in your life? Whether you’re looking to volunteer at a church, temple, or mosque, you’ll be asked about your faith. Your ambition to volunteer should be very closely aligned with your faith.
Example Answer:
I’ve always been very religious. I’ve attended Sunday school my entire childhood and was an active church member as a young adult. Now, I’m hoping to deepen my faith and connection with the church through volunteering.
How do your beliefs influence your decision-making? If you’re interested in volunteering with a religious organization, your faith and beliefs will be the main topic of discussion during the interview. Learning how your beliefs influence your decision-making will help recruiters better understand you and your values.
Example Answer:
My faith and my beliefs are extremely important to me. They shape my behavior and how I think. I always look to my faith when faced with tough decisions and I try my best to reach a rational and moral solution that aligns with my religious beliefs.
Why do you want to volunteer with our organization? Hiring managers always want to know what caught your eye about their organization. This is especially important when applying for faith-based volunteer positions. When answering this question you should highlight how your beliefs and values align with those of the organization.
Example Answer:
I’ve been coming to this temple since I was a child. I’m deeply committed to the Rabbi's mission and I feel that my values and beliefs are almost identical to those of this Synagogue.
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Volunteer opportunities with youth organizations and mentorship programs are quickly becoming more and more popular among volunteer seekers. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions during volunteer interviews for positions with youth organizations:
What experience do you have working with children or teens? This is one of the most common interview questions volunteers are asked when applying for positions with youth organizations. The best way to answer this is by discussing your most relevant and recent experience working with children or teenagers.
Example Answer:
As a graduate student, I volunteered at a tutoring center where I worked closely with students between the ages of 8 and 18. I found the work extremely rewarding and I loved teaching and interacting with the kids.
Why do you want to volunteer with a youth organization? If you’re aiming to volunteer at a youth organization, you’ll probably be asked what motivated you to apply. Showing enthusiasm for the position will help you stand-out among applicants.
Example Answer:
To put it simply, I love kids! I want to do what I can to help those who are less fortunate or going through a hard time. It’s always been a dream of mine to volunteer with children and help make our community a happier place. Having the opportunity to help kids smile and succeed seems like something I can’t pass up.
How would you handle a conflict involving a volunteer and a child receiving services through our organization? Conflict-resolution is a highly sought-after skill set for individuals volunteering with youth organizations. Answers to this question should highlight a candidate's problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Example Answer:
A child’s physical and mental wellbeing is of the utmost importance to me. If a volunteer were to compromise a child's wellbeing I would immediately separate them from the children and report the incident to a manager.
If the incident could be resolved through conflict-resolution I would counsel the pair until an agreeable solution was met. By doing this, I would turn the incident into a learning opportunity.
Can you explain the process of organizing and executing a fundraising event for a nonprofit organization? What strategies have you used in the past to maximize donations and engage the community?
Have you worked with any volunteer management software or platforms? If so, which ones, and what was your experience like?
Can you describe a situation where you encountered a conflict or disagreement among volunteers?
In your previous volunteer experience, how did you recruit and onboard new volunteers?
How do you approach evaluating the impact of volunteer programs or initiatives? What metrics or measurements do you consider important, and how do you collect and analyze data to assess the effectiveness and success of your efforts?
Can you discuss a time when you had to adapt to a sudden change in a volunteer project or program?
Have you ever coordinated or participated in disaster relief efforts? If so, how did you support affected communities, and what challenges did you encounter during the process?
Can you share a specific example of when you successfully collaborated with other community organizations or stakeholders to achieve a common goal?
In your opinion, what are the key elements of a successful volunteer recruitment campaign?
Have you ever developed or facilitated training programs for volunteers? If so, what topics did you cover, and how did you ensure that the training materials were engaging and effective?
You should prepare for an interview for a volunteer role the same as you would prepare for an important job interview. Although the nature of the meeting may be slightly different, the structure of a volunteer interview is almost identical to that of a job interview.
As a Candidate:
Review interview questions. You should be prepared for interview questions because you’ll probably still be asked a few of the most common interview questions for paying jobs. Sometimes volunteer position interviews can even be structured as group interviews, a growing interview trend that features multiple candidates being interviewed at once by a hiring manager or a panel of interviewers.
Research the company.Just as you would if you were being interviewed for your dream job, you should do your research on the organization, learn about their company culture and policies, figure out their mission and determine how that aligns with your values, and rehearse the key points you hope to make during the interview.
Do a mock interview.It’s always a good idea to do a mock interview beforehand by reviewing the most commonly asked interview questions and answers. Think about how you want to structure your answers to these questions so you can avoid any awkward responses and focus on explaining how you’re the best fit for this position.
Prepare the morning of. When preparing for a professional interview, set yourself up for success by getting a good night’s sleep the day before the interview, having a filling breakfast, getting together an appropriate job interview outfit, and, of course, arriving at the interview on time. You don’t want to find out you didn’t get the position because you didn’t use proper interview etiquette.
Be prepared for small talk. Right before the interview, you should also be ready to engage in professional small talk with the interviewer. Informal chats and small talk is especially important during volunteer interviews because it helps applicants build rapport and find common interests with the hiring manager. Having a positive and pleasant chat before the actual interviewing begins will help you stand-out among your peers and set you apart from other candidates.
As an Interviewer:
Create interview questions. You should start your preparations with creating common and volunteer behavioral interview questions. The questions should be tailored to the needs of the volunteer role and the organization. Creating behavioral interview questions allow for you to get an understanding of how the candidate will react in specific situations.
Familiarize yourself with legal and ethical considerations. You should have an understanding of any legal or ethical guidelines such as privacy and non-discrimination policies.
Prepare for questions. The candidate should be asking you questions during the interview. To help you answer, be familiar with questions about the role, the organization, or any relevant topics regarding the position or role. The types of questions asked will show how engaged and interested they are in the position.
Take notes during the interview. Take notes as the candidate is answering questions. You should be on the look out for any relevant skills and experience needed for the position. Your notes will help you remember key details that will help you when it comes time to make a decision later on.