How to Answer: Thinking back to your program management experience, discuss a time when you supervised the expansion of a program.
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an American Red Cross job interview.
18. Thinking back to your program management experience, discuss a time when you supervised the expansion of a program.
How to Answer
If you are applying for a management or leadership position, you must be able to explain how you oversee growth within your department, team, organization, or program. Share what resources you used to ensure a smooth expansion.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on February 28th, 2022
Pro Tip
Don't skip over discussing any problems you faced during the expansion process. This is another opportunity to demonstrate your problem-solving skills in addition to your management skills.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on February 28th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I manage a medium-sized Ombudsman program as part of a local clinic specializing in healthcare for seniors. Up until two years ago, I was solely responsible for recruiting, training, and coordinating our volunteer Ombudsman representatives. We received additional funding to expand our work to include a dozen more nursing homes. I was able to take on three of these new homes but I realized the program would operate more efficiently if we used some of the new funding to hire an additional staff person. As such, I requested a portion of that funding go to covering the cost of hiring a coordinator to help manage the increased caseload."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on February 28th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"During my time employed at a disaster relief agency, I was responsible for overseeing the expansion of our field office in the Philippines to include service to three nearby islands. I scheduled appointments with local government representatives from each island and presented the results of our relief efforts related to tsunamis that impacted the island where our field office was located. I provided detailed information about our budget and how we allocate resources to provide clothing, shelter, medical supplies, and other essential goods and services in the wake of a natural disaster. These representatives were eager to partner with us and helped guide me through the process of opening field offices in their cities. They then helped connect me with staffing agencies that sourced local talent familiar with the areas to run these offices."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on February 28th, 2022