Whether you specialize in mentoring teenagers or younger children, working with youth can lead to a rewarding career. To get the right job that matches your skill set and professional goals, you must position yourself as a strong candidate. By reviewing common youth work interview questions and practicing answers, you can feel more confident. In this article, we discuss 85 interview questions for youth worker positions and provide some sample answers.
Get to Know the 2018 19 National Youth of the Year Finalists
Interviews for Top Jobs at Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Activity Leader Interview
I interviewed at Boys & Girls Clubs of America (Philadelphia, PA)
Interview
It was not hard. Simple questions to answer. Just answer the questions the best you could and be honest. They ask you to tell them about yourself and other questions to why you want to work for them.
- Tell me about yourself was one of the questions
Youth Development Professional Interview
I interviewed at Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Interview
After you fill out application, the director should contact directly to set up an interview. Easy interview with club director and assistant director. They only ask you five questions regarding your experience with kids.
- Explain you experience with kids?
Receptionist/Administrative Assistant Interview
I applied online. I interviewed at Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Interview
first initial phone screen to go over resume. followed by Interview with direct supervisor whom was unaware and was late. Also, showed up dressed in pajamas. throughout the process, interview was rescheduled a few times. Third interview with senior management. final interview with ceo. whole process was messy and unorganized and I felt that my time was not respected.
- What is something you dislike about being an administrative assistant?
What’s the biggest professional challenge you’ve overcome?
Hiring managers typically want to assess what you consider challenging and what you do to solve such big problems. Explain why you found the situation difficult and what steps you took to resolve it.
Example answer: “In my last job, I worked with some youths who repeatedly broke rules. Rather than expelling them, I proposed that we offer each of them one-on-one mentorship sessions and ask them to commit to a strict set of rules. All of the youths stayed with the program, and I still serve as an informal mentor to two of them.”
Why did you apply for this job?
Hiring managers often ask youth interview questions like this because they want to know what attracted you to the role. In your answer, be specific about what you like about the role or organization and discuss why you would be a good fit.
Example answer: “I applied for this role because I fully support the organizations mission to empower youth. I think this position would allow me to use my prior mentorship experience and improve my leadership skills.”
What do you do when youths don’t want to be helped?
An interviewer might ask this question to assess your communication and interpersonal skills. Explain your process and the skills you use.
Example answer: “I understand that positive change takes time. When youths resist being helped, I set a goal of befriending them and encouraging them to trust me instead. I remain patient and keep an open line of communication until theyre ready to work with me.”
Prior to my junior year I knew very little about the Charles F. Hyde Youth of the Year Scholarship or the Youth of the Year competition, but I remember seeing some of my older peers being awarded the title. I’m so glad that I was enlightened with what it all meant during my junior year and I was able to apply for the scholarship myself.
The announcement of who won the title of Youth of the Year was next. I felt like I was going to jump out of my seat. I was nervous, excited- really I was a mixture of every emotion. When they called out my name as the winner it felt like the world stopped and I just couldn’t believe that it was real. I don’t even have words for the way I felt. I started crying and immediately started hugging everyone. I have never felt as accomplished as I did in that moment.
Overall, this experience has allowed me to let my voice be heard. I am grateful for everyone that has helped me get to this point and for everything that I have been given to succeed. I look forward to inspiring not only the members of our Club, but hopefully everyone I come in contact with. In the future, I plan to use my scholarship to attend Marian University and become a Law Enforcement officer. I hope that more of my community’s teens are able to take advantage of our Club’s great treasures, especially the Charles F. Hyde Youth of the Year Scholarship.
Because I was nominated by the Boys & Girls Club staff members as the overall girl of the month last September, I had the opportunity to fill out the application to become a candidate for the Youth of the Year Scholarship. The application consisted of a series of questions regarding my personal achievements, goals, background and community, Club and academic involvement, as well as essays about my Club experience, my personal brand and my vision for America’s youth. This year there were seven of us that applied. From there, our applications were given to a panel of interview judges. These are spectacular people! They sign up to be part of this committee because they care about our community youth and want to help us take the first steps towards our future.
The next part of the process was creating my platform and speech. I am currently working with a speech coach and practicing memorization skills because in three weeks I will be traveling to Green Bay to compete in the State Youth of the Year Competition. Here I will get to meet other Youth of the Year winners from all over Wisconsin. After that competition, I hope to compete in the regional and national competition as well. I will also have the opportunity to showcase my speaking abilities at upcoming Club events, such as WineFeast and the Youth of the Year Dinner.
FAQ
What are the 10 most common interview questions and answers?
- Could you tell me about yourself and describe your background in brief? …
- How did you hear about this position? …
- What type of work environment do you prefer? …
- How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations? …
- Do you prefer working independently or on a team?
What are some good interview questions for students?
- Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
- What do you know about our company?
- What interests you about this job?
- What are your strengths?
- What do you consider your weaknesses?
- Why do you want to work here?
- Can you describe your ideal work environment?
- How would your peers describe you?
How do you interview youth?
- Follow the adolescent’s lead. Encourage the young person to tell his/her own story without interruption. …
- Recognize the young person’s strengths. …
- Do not take the teenager’s behavior personally. …
- Listen to the young person’s interests.
What is your biggest strength when it comes to youth work?
