vocational rehabilitation counselor interview questions

• Can you explain some recent trends in the field of vocational rehabilitation? …
• How would you go about developing an IPE for a military veteran with PTSD? …
• Tell me about success you achieved with a challenging case.

In this blog, we discuss commonly asked interview questions during job interviews for rehabilitation counselor positions. We also discuss the qualities that interviewers look for in successful candidates. In other words, we’re here to help you out!

Below we discuss the skills you can highlight in your answers to demonstrate that you’re qualified for the job.

Rehabilitation counselors need to be able to communicate effectively with clients. They must express ideas and information in a way that is easy to understand.

Rehabilitation counselors often work with people who are dealing with stressful and difficult situations. They must be compassionate and empathize with their clients.

Rehabilitation counselors must be able to develop a treatment plan to help clients reach their goals by considering each client’s abilities and interests.

Rehabilitation counselors must be able to work with different types of people. They spend most of their time working directly with clients, families, employers, or other professionals. They must be able to develop and maintain good working relationships.

Good listening skills are essential for rehabilitation counselors. They need to give their full attention in sessions in order to understand clients’ problems, concerns, and values.

Rehabilitation counselors must have the patience to help clients learn new skills and strategies to address their disabilities.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor interview questions

Why do you want to work as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor?

I suggest you to refer to two things in your answer. First one is your education, experience and skills (listening, empathy, attention to detail, deep understanding for the problems, needs, and desires of disabled people). With such a skill set, you are an ideal applicant for the job.

Second thing is the meaningful purpose you see in your work. You realize how important it is for people to remain active, to feel that they provide some value to the others, to not remain alone with their disability. And you also realize that disabilities are ever more prevalent in human society. There’s a lot of work for you, and you feel the calling to help these people.

Another interesting alternative is referring to a personal story. I know a voc. rehabilitation counselor who joined the ranks of the profession because his son suffered a war injury, and somehow struggled to get back to “normal life”. They primarily wanted to help their son, but once they understood the importance of the job, they wanted to help also other people with similar destiny.

Can you please tell us something about your education and experience?

Most likely you have a degree in rehabilitation counseling, or in some other, related field. You do not have to go into details, explaining different subjects from the curriculum. Just tell them where you studied, for how long, and whether you had any hands on experience as a part of your study program.

Unless you had a similar job before (any sort of couching or counseling), you should not talk much about it again. Just walk them through your resume, and let them ask additional questions.

What’s important, however, it to talk with enthusiasm about the work of a rehab counselor. They should get an impression that you really want the job, and feel ready, and that you do not apply only because you already spent so much time studying the field, paying a small fortune for your studies…

For twelve months, you are unable to find a client a job, how do you stay focused and think of new ideas to get this person working?

Finding work for a client can be a stressful situation. Youll want to relay to the interviewer that you always stay positive, provide encouragement and continue to meet with the client. Tell the interviewer a time this has happened and how you ended up securing employment for the client.

“When I work with clients that are having a hard time finding employment I encourage them to volunteer. Volunteering gets them out into the workforce”‹, keeps them active and gives them a purpose that I encourage them to find.”

“The job market can be difficult and sometimes waiting 12 months is a reality. I would encourage the client to work on their skills and education while we were working to find them a job. Free classes, skills tests and online courses would not only keep them busy and increase their skill set but make them more marketable.”

“Different job search engines Seek volunteer opportunities that fit into the employment goal Improve skills that apply to employment goals. Meet in different places: library locations, coffee shops, etc. Discuss options while walking trails or the mall End a meeting with a short shopping trip, if that would assist the client Visit a location that clicks with the clients interests; discuss employment options on the drive”

Written by an Anonymous User

Our Professional Interview CoachStephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer

These are all great suggestions! If you navigated a similar situation with a client in your current role, I suggest sharing that as well, to show specifically how you persevered.

You meet a new client for a first time. How will you start your counseling?

You can say that you will start with basic questions. Who they are, what they expect from life, what jobs they had (if any), what they enjoy doing.

Introducing yourself and explaining why you are there–to help them–is also a good start. Ensure the interviewers that you will focus primarily on listening, letting the client express their desires, thoughts, doubts. Of course some people are shy or have certain mental blocks, and in such a case you may talk more, trying to overcome the blocks.

Once you know something about each other, you will together explore the options they have, and try to come up with a plan on how they can achieve their employment goals. From that point you will guide them on their way to achieve the goals, through regular counseling.

FAQ

What are the questions asked in interview for counselor?

• What influenced you to be a school counselor? …
• How will your practical experience inform your role as a school counselor?
• What is your strongest asset? …
• What do you know about our school that you would consider a strength? …
• Tell us about a successful (satisfying) case that you have handled?

What skills do you need to be a rehabilitation counselor?

• Communication skills. Rehabilitation counselors need to be able to communicate effectively with clients. …
• Compassion. Rehabilitation counselors often work with people who are dealing with stressful and difficult situations. …
• Critical-thinking skills. …
• Interpersonal skills. …
• Listening skills. …
• Patience.

What are the goals of rehabilitation counseling?

How do I prepare for a counseling interview?