How to Answer: What professional organizations do you belong to?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Urban and Regional Planners job interview.
13. What professional organizations do you belong to?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Companies like to learn what potential hires like to do in their free time to get a sense of their interests, passions, and professional affiliations. This can show hiring managers if your values align with the company's goals and that your dedication to the field doesn't stop when you clock out.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on March 27th, 2022
How to Answer
Showing an employer that you're dedicated and have a passion for the field or industry is a great way to make a lasting impression. Make a list of groups or organizations ahead of time so you can provide a prepared and precise answer; you may also want to make a note of the dates when you joined. When discussing which organizations you belong to, always be honest. While it might make you look good to name a few relevant groups in the interview, the employer can easily fact-check your claims afterward.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on March 27th, 2022
Answer Example
"I am a current member of the city's Urban Planning Association. I really enjoy staying current with new information and networking with other urban planners. I think that membership is invaluable and one of my goals is to be a speaker at their annual national conference in the near future."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on March 27th, 2022
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