Top 20 Domestic Violence Advocate Interview Questions and Answers for 2022
Tell me about your ability to work under pressure?
Answer tips:
Here’s where the ability to perform under fire comes into play. And, if possible, give an example that is relatable to the type of position that you are applying for.
The ideal way to respond to this question is to provide examples and situations of how you have handled stress in your previous jobs. In this way, the interviewer can establish a clear picture of how well you are likely to react when the going gets tough.
Pro tip: make sure you are not referencing a time when your lack of organization or communication put you in a “self induced” stressful scenario. This is to say, don’t share a story about how your procrastiation created a situation where you had to finish a project quickly.
Answer samples
What experience do you have with respects to this particular DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WORKER position?
Answer tips:
Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you know you do not have much experience in the job you are applying for, plan for this question ahead of time and ensure you can provide some relatable examples based on what you have done.
Almost all interviewers will appreciate confidence and pride in the work experience you have earned and your passion in transfering these valuable skills to your future role or position.
Answer sample
Before going for a job interview for a victim advocate position make sure you have collected ample knowledge about the prospective employer and the type of cases they handle.
You get used to hearing that sort of comment when working in the trenches of domestic violence (DV). I used to hear it a lot 20 years ago when I was a DV advocate, but now the question was posed to domestic violence advocate/program manager at Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis (AWAIC) ,Nicole Stanish, whom I worked with during some DV Awareness Month events.
The worst part of DV work is seeing someone who has so much potential continue to go back to her abuser, back to her addictions, lose her children, and continue to spiral farther down. It is hard to have high hopes for a person only to see them continue to get into worse and worse situations. I wish that there was a way for me to transfer all of my hope and faith into them to help them succeed.
When I was 12 I read a book about Covenant House and knew that one day I would be a social worker. When I was in college, working towards my social work degree, my professor gave us an assignment to write a paper on a social service agency and she suggested that I might like AWAIC. So I interviewed the Shelter Manager for my paper and she suggested I come to volunteer training, which I did, and then I fell in love with AWAIC and began volunteering a couple of nights a week. Later, when a position opened up I applied.
The best part of DV work is connecting with people. I enjoy hearing people’s stories, even though they can be sad, and offering them whatever strength, compassion and understanding that I can. We are all human and we all have our struggles and people benefit the most from having a non-judgmental person support them through a hard time.
Domestic violence can happen to anyone. If you are fortunate enough to never have had it happen to you- do not judge those who are currently experiencing it. Domestic violence is very complex and very hard to break free from. If you know someone who is living with domestic violence, just be there for them. Let them know that they deserve all the good in the world and that you will always be a person that they can turn to. Don’t give up on them.
FAQ
Why do you want to work in domestic violence?
It can be emotionally draining and stressful to work with victims of physical, emotional, financial or psychological abuse. But domestic violence social work will allow you the chance to help others in unique and meaningful ways, possibly helping victims change the courses of their lives.
What are some questions about domestic violence?
- What is domestic violence?
- What are resources available for victims?
- Why do victims sometimes return to or stay with abusers?
- Do abusers show any potential warning signs?
- Is it possible for abusers to change?
- Are men victims of domestic violence?
What are some questions to ask about abuse?
