Talk about a situation where you were required to maintain a great amount of energy over a long period of time in order to complete a project.

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
How to Answer
1st Answer Example
2nd Answer Example

Nonprofit organizations are fast-paced and ever-evolving, which requires employees to have patience, stamina, and focus. The interviewer wants to see that you maintain excellent quality in your work during periods of higher energy output.

Focus on specific strategies you employ to balance your energies to complete extended projects. This will also demonstrate to the interviewer that you understand how to be intentional and strategic during times that can be physically and mentally demanding.

"I worked as an event planner for music festivals for eight years, and during that time I planned dozens of festivals. However, the festival we held in Costa Rica was by far the most demanding in terms of stamina. First, there were complicated legal matters to sort through since it was our first international music festival. Any time you run a festival the planning stages require a significant amount of creative energy. When you enter the building stage, you're exerting a great deal of physical force. So, I always had to make sure to get enough sleep, eat properly, and take breaks to ensure my mind and body were focused and strong.

I also required consistent updates from team members on their individual tasks and offered guidance and support when necessary. We spent months planning for the festival itself, and it took about a week to build at the location. The festival lasted five days, and we spent three days packing up our supplies afterward. It was tiring, yes, but it was also professionally rewarding and personally fulfilling. I thrive in situations where I can focus my energy to execute large-scale projects."

"As a middle school science instructor, I am required to not only maintain high energy levels during lessons to keep students engaged but also to keep that energy positive and constructive. I plan for a variety of educational activities that blend kinesthetic learning with reading and audiovisual materials. This allows for variation in the lessons I teach, grabs the class's attention, and makes me excited to teach each new section. I also encourage students to learn from one another by participating in group discussions and projects about science-related matters. Although I gently facilitate these group situations, this gives me a chance to refill my energy for when I am instructing the class as a whole."