How to Answer: How do you feel about having to travel for work?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Fema job interview.
2. How do you feel about having to travel for work?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
"Deployment travel may be required, based upon agency needs." Before your interview, thoroughly familiarize yourself with the job requirements. If traveling or being deployed to an unknown location for an indeterminate amount of time does not fit in with your lifestyle or goals, use their job filters. "Deployment expectations can vary and will be discussed with candidates during the selection process."
Written by Kevin Downey on October 15th, 2023
What You Need to Know
There are several types of travel, depending on the job. Some position don't require any travel, other require occasional travel, such as for training or other work-related duties, then they are categorized as 25% or less, 50% or less, 75% or less, or 76% or greater. "You can filter your search results by the amount of travel the job requires. Read the Travel Required section in each job announcement to understand the travel requirements. Go to More Filters. Scroll down to Travel Percentage. Select the amount of travel you're looking for. You can select more than one. Your search results will update automatically as you select each filter."
"Our mission requires us to deploy around the country when disaster strikes. Every FEMA employee has day to day emergency management responsibilities, though not every position requires deployment to disaster sites. During your deployment, you may be required to work irregular hours, work at locations other than your official duty station, and pick up duties other than those specified in the official position description. Travel required to support emergency operations may be extensive (weeks to months), with little advance notice, and may require employees to relocate to emergency sites with physically austere and operationally challenging conditions."
Written by Kevin Downey on October 15th, 2023
How to Answer
Be honest with your goals and what you are looking for. If traveling for lengthy times is not in line with your goals, don't promise otherwise. Set clear expectations from the beginning. However, if you are clear on the expectations of the position, and they propose something that goes beyond the description, keep the conversation going. They may be considering you as a strong candidate for another position. Be open, and suggest you would be willing to discuss it further, and it depends on the opportunity.
Written by Samantha Brown on November 28th, 2023
Answer Example
"I have spent some time doing voluntourism. Most recently, I spent a month with a non-profit helping rebuild in Puerto Rico after the hurricane. I love to travel, and love being where the locals are as well. I also love making a difference and revisiting these locales years later when they've recovered. So, having done my research and being prepared for what this position entails, I am prepared to travel and be deployed for the job."
Written by Samantha Brown on November 28th, 2023