How well do you handle stress?

"I handle stress very well. I hadn't experienced much stress growing up, but when I went to my first year of college, I learned the meaning of stress! I had a full class load and was working part-time. I had to learn to become very organized and manage my time well. I find that being organized decreases my stress and allows me to remain calm in any stressful event I encounter."

Every profession has some stress that comes with the job. Working as an Activities Assistant can be stressful when coming up with new ideas, when a resident does not engage or participate, or if you and the Activities Director do not get along. Whatever the reason, the interviewer wants to hear how you handle stress and remain calm in stressful situations.

Why did you leave your last job?

"I left my last job as a restaurant server to pursue a career as an Activities Assistant. I cannot work both jobs because of the schedule, so I decided to follow my dream of working with your organization."

The interviewer wants to hear your reason for leaving your last job. It might be that you are choosing a different career path, there were not enough hours given to you, or you are looking for an organization that offers professional growth. Describe your reason, making sure not to speak badly of your supervisor or coworkers. Even if you did not get along with someone at your previous job, it reflects poorly on you if you talk negatively about someone.

What is your least favorite aspect of working as an Activities Assistant?

"My least favorite aspect of the job is seeing how sad and lonely the residents are when their family does not come to visit. I understand if the family lives far away and cannot visit often, but it makes me sad when I know the family lives close and doesn't take the time to visit. I try to make up for the residents' loneliness by visiting with them and listening to their stories."

While many Activities Assistants do not have a least favorite aspect of their job, some feel that the job is repetitive, that they are pulled in many directions by nursing staff, or that it is hard when a resident you are close to dies. You know better than anyone what you do not find enjoyable about the job.

At your last job, how would the Activity Director describe you?

"At my last job, the Activity Director described me as a creative and kind Activities Assistant who is dependable, honest, and compassionate. She wrote three performance reviews during the two years I worked there, and every review was similar."

At your last job, you most likely had performance reviews to get an idea of what the Activity Director thought of you, or they may have written a letter of recommendation describing what type of person you are. If you have a letter of recommendation, use the words they used to describe the kind of person and Activities Assistant you are. If you have a copy of the letter of recommendation, now is an excellent time to offer it to the interviewer.

What is your greatest strength?

"My greatest strength is my leadership ability. I was the team captain on my high school volleyball team, and that is when I realized I had leadership qualities. That quality is useful as an Activities Assistant because I understand how to lead a group of people and get them to participate in the activities."

This question is commonly asked during interviews. The interviewer wants to hear what you consider to be your greatest strength relevant to the job. Some answers can include your organizational skills, creativity, leadership ability, positive attitude, and work ethic. Choose what you consider to be your greatest strength and give an example.

What is your greatest weakness?

"My greatest weakness is remembering residents' names. My current place of employment has over 300 residents, and I find that I keep confusing people's names. I realized this was a problem in my line of work, so I bought a book on memory association. It came with a workbook and daily exercises to complete. In the two weeks since I have had the book, I have found it easier to place a person's face with their name. By the time I am done with the book and the exercises, I believe this will not be a weakness anymore."

This is another commonly asked question during interviews. This question is asked because the interviewer wants to see if you are humble enough to realize your weakness and honest enough to share it. Describe how you have identified a weakness and the steps you are taking to turn that weakness into a strength. Be sure your weakness applies to the job of an Activities Assistant.

How do you like to spend your free time?

"I like to spend my free time doing outside activities like gardening, hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking. I also enjoy reading, knitting, and making stained glass."

The interviewer wants to hear what activities you enjoy in your free time. You must have a healthy work/life balance and know how to destress. People who take care of themselves and have a good balance are more productive and energetic employees.

How did you hear about this position?

"I heard about this position from one of your residents, Mrs. Gladstone. She is friends with my grandma, and she told her that there was an opening for an Activities Assistant. I went online and found the application under the careers section on your website."

There are a few reasons the interviewer might ask how you heard about the position. One reason is they want to see what marketing is working the best for them, and the other is to see if you know someone within the company. Organizations spend a lot of money posting job announcements, and they want to see what platform is getting them the most applicants. Some companies have an employee referral program and the person that referred you may get a referral fee.

If hired, are you available to work weekends and holidays?

"Yes, I am available to work weekends and holidays. I understand that many of your events center around the holidays and weekends, and that works for me."

Many agencies have activities and events on weekends and holidays, which should be noted in the job description. The interviewer wants to see if you can fulfill the job requirements or if you have another obligation that would keep you from working their schedule. It is best if you are flexible with your schedule, but if you have a reason you cannot work weekends and holidays, explain why.

What is your favorite activity to conduct?

"I think my favorite activity to lead is painting with watercolors. I enjoy that activity because I get to see everyone's artistic side, and the residents put out some beautiful work. I am not very artistic, so it is wonderful to watch those who have that gift."

Many activities are fun to conduct, and there is no right or wrong answer to this question. The interviewer wants to get to know you more as a person by hearing what your favorite activity is. Describe the activity and explain why it is your favorite.

If hired, when could you start?

"I am currently working at a preschool, but I gave my two weeks' notice one week ago. My employer understands that I am changing career paths, but they have not found someone to fill my position. I need to fulfill my obligation to them, so I can start in one week."

If you are currently employed, it is customary to give your employer two weeks' notice before leaving. Your interviewer will understand and think it is respectful of you not to leave your current job without notice. If you are not employed, the best response is that you can start immediately. It shows your enthusiasm and eagerness to begin working for their organization.

Why do you want to work for our company?

"I want to work for your company because you are rated number one in the state for your excellent activities program and resident participation. I want to gain experience with such a highly recognized company and know I can learn a lot from your Activities Director. I like that you promote professional growth, which excites me because I want to move up within your organization."

By now, you should have researched the company and determined why you want to work with them. Show the interviewer that you have done your research by mentioning how their mission or vision statement aligns with your values, discuss the company's excellent reviews, or mention the recommendations given by staff members.

What makes you a better candidate than the others?

"While I am sure many qualified candidates are applying for this job, I feel that I am a better candidate because of my three years experience in this field and my proven track record. I have three years of excellent performance reviews, I am dependable and have never called off work, I have excellent organizational skills, and I have a background in creating fun and engaging activities and events."

It is good to acknowledge the other qualified candidates before answering this question. Explain how even though there are many qualified candidates, you have specific qualities that will benefit their organization. Reread the job description before your interview, and use keywords they used to describe their ideal candidate. If they are looking for a creative, dependable, and organized Activities Assistant, use those keywords in your answer.

Are you interviewing with other companies?

"No, I am not interviewing with other companies. After graduating from college, I have set my sights on only working for your organization. I have volunteered here for the past two years and know this is the only company I want to work for. Your residents and employees are happy, your Activities Director is very knowledgeable, and you have a low turnover rate. I am excited to have this opportunity to be interviewing with you today."

If you are interviewing with other companies, be honest and let the interviewer know where you are in the interview process. If you are not interviewing with other companies, let the interviewer know why you are more interested in their company than others. If you are interviewing with other companies, it does not show you are less interested in their company; it shows that you are leaving your options open. Still, explain that you are most interested in working for them.

What should I know about you that is not on your resume?

"It is not reflected on my resume, but I thrive working in a team environment. I believe that working as a team achieves greater success by utilizing the knowledge and experience of other team members. Since I was eight years old, I have played team sports, which teaches sportsmanship and leadership qualities that have carried over into my professional life."

It is hard to put every strength or skill that you have on your resume. When writing your resume, you are highlighting your experience and skills. When answering this question, emphasize a strength or quality relevant to the position but not found on your resume. When reading the job posting, pay attention to keywords the company uses when describing its ideal candidate. If they emphasize team-building or highly organized individuals, use one of those examples when answering.

What do you know about our company?

"Your company was founded in 1985 by Harvey Johnson, and his son Jerry is the current CEO. You have a company size of over 10,000 employees and are a leader in the healthcare industry. I love your mission statement, which says that getting your residents back to a healthier state in body and mind is what motivates you. That statement resonates with me because I have the same vision for the residents I work with. Your company considers every employee a team member, and you have several career ladders and development programs for your team members to grow and succeed."

When applying for a job, it is essential to research the organization and learn everything about them. Go to their website and read their About Us page, see who the CEO or Administrator is, read their Mission Statement, look at online reviews, and visit the company and ask employees about the working conditions. Learn as much as you can before the interview, and highlight the key points about their company when answering this question.

Do you have any questions for me?

"Yes, I do have one question. If hired, what would a typical day look like?"

If the interviewer asks if you have questions for them at the end of the interview, you always want to respond by saying yes. Asking questions shows that you are interested in their organization and you want to learn everything you can about them. Be sure you do not ask a question that can easily be found on their website or answered by Human Resources if hired.

Do you consider yourself a compassionate person?

"I consider myself a very compassionate person, and that is why I got into this field. I feel it is important to treat others with dignity, respect, and kindness. Many residents in the care facilities I have worked in do not have visitors and feel lonely. I like to take the time to visit with the residents and get to know more about them personally. I also like to bring them gifts on their birthdays and have a little party during their activities to make them feel special."

Working as an Activities Assistant, you must be a compassionate person and identify with different ages and abilities. The interviewer wants to see if you have empathy and compassion for others. Describe how you consider yourself a compassionate person and give an example of what compassion means to you.

Describe your passion for this type of work.

"I am passionate about working as an Activities Assistant because I was raised by my grandparents and have been around older adults my entire life. I love what I do because I get to plan stimulating activities that remind the residents of their youth. I enjoy hearing stories the residents have to share and have learned so much from them. I wake up every day excited to go to work and even visit the residents on my days off. They have become like family to me."

The interviewer wants to learn more about your personality and what makes you passionate about working as an Activities Assistant. Describe a personal experience that made you decide to become an Activities Assistant and what joy you receive from doing this work.

What are your five-year professional goals?

"My five-year professional goals are to continue my education and receive my bachelor's degree in recreational studies. I would like to move up within your organization and become an Activities Director after receiving my degree. I have one more class to finish my associate's degree requirements, and then I will start working on my bachelor's degree."

Many Activities Assistants aspire to further their careers and become Activities Directors, Home Health Aides, Nurses, Rehabilitation Specialists, Administrators, Teachers, or other types of positions helping others. The interviewer wants to hear your professional goals for the next five years and if you see yourself working in their organization. Describe what your goals are and how you plan to achieve them.

Do you have reliable transportation?

"Right now, I am saving up for a car, but I use the city bus system to get around. The bus I take is always on time, and the bus stop is one block from my house. The bus brings me to the front door of your facility and runs every half hour. It is a reliable and inexpensive form of transportation for me."

An interviewer is not allowed to ask if you have a car, but they can ask if you have reliable transportation if that is required for the job. Often, reliable transportation is mentioned in the job requirement. The interviewer wants to know that you are responsible and will show up to your shifts on time. Explain what your mode of reliable transportation is.

What did you think about your former Activities Director?

"I thought my former Activities Director was an excellent mentor. He was always kind and compassionate with the residents and always remembered what they enjoyed doing. He would actively listen to the residents' feedback and suggestions and implement new activities based on their requests. Everyone was sad to see him go when he retired."

No matter what you thought about your former Activities Director, you should not answer negatively or talk badly about them. Talking badly about others shows that you are disrespectful, and that is not a good quality to have. Describe positive attributes about your former Activities Director, and explain what you learned from them.

What is your favorite part about working as an Activities Assistant?

"My favorite part about working as an Activities Assistant is being surrounded by people that are happy to see me every day. When I come to work, it feels like a family reunion. The residents hug me, ask how my day is going, and tell me stories about their children and grandkids. To me, this doesn't even feel like a job. I enjoy it that much."

The interviewer wants to see your interests to understand whether you will be a good candidate if hired. There are many reasons a person might become an Activities Assistant, and the interviewer wants to know why you like this profession. It may be that you like working with a particular age group, you enjoy being creative, or you like assisting others. Explain what it is you like most about your job.

What made you decide to become an Activities Assistant?

"I want a career as an Activities Assistant because I am creative and enjoy working with older adults. I was first introduced to this profession while visiting my grandparents in a retirement home. They had activities every day, and they asked me to join them in a game of bean bag baseball. On that particular day, they were short an Activities Assistant, and the Activities Director asked if I would mind helping her with the game. I had so much fun, and many of the residents said I should apply to become the Activities Assistant. That's how I chose this career path."

Activities Assistants enjoy planning, scheduling, and implementing activities in senior living facilities, nursing homes, summer camps, schools, and more. You might have had experience in this profession before, or it may be something that appeals to you for a personal reason. The interviewer wants to hear what motivated you to become an Activities Assistant. Explain to the interviewer what drew you to this career.

What certifications do you have? Which ones do you still plan on pursuing?

"I am certified in CPR, AED, First Aid, and Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Red Cross. My certifications are good for one more year, and then I will renew them. I am enrolled in the Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals Parts I & II and will start in September. When I complete that course in the next two years, I will be nationally certified as an Activity Professional Certified (APC)."

Different agencies have different requirements for Activities Assistants. If you made it to an interview, you have the credentials they are looking for. If you have the minimum credentials required, you may be interested in pursuing certification through the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP). Describe your certifications and any you plan on pursuing with a timeline of when you hope to accomplish your goals.

Tell me about your experiences working with people in poor physical health.

"At my last job, most of the residents were in good physical health. However, one of the residents was diagnosed with cancer and started chemotherapy and radiation. She had previously been in good health and was very active in her daily activities. After starting treatment, she became very sick and weak and had difficulty breathing. She could not participate in her normal activities, and you could tell it made her sad. Her favorite activity was the bean bag toss. Since she was mostly confined to her bed, I found a miniature version of the game and took it to her room. She had enough strength to play the game on her lap, and it was so rewarding to see her smile again."

As an Activities Assistant, you will work with people who are not always in the best physical health. The interviewer wants to hear that you have experience working with all types of people and that you can accommodate everyone's needs. Describe your background and how you adapt to people in poor physical health.

What experiences do you have planning and implementing events?

"I just graduated high school and do not have experience as an Activities Assistant yet, but I do have experience planning and implementing a surprise party for my parent's 30th Anniversary. I had the help of my brother, and we successfully planned and surprised my parents with over 100 of their closest friends. I arranged for the venue, caterer, florist, and invitations, while my brother secured the DJ, tables, chairs, and umbrellas. It was a very successful party that took us six months to plan."

When working as an Activities Assistant, you must have the skills to plan and implement events while working on a budget. If you have experience with this as an Activities Assistant, describe your experience. If you are new to the profession, describe another situation when you planned and implemented an event, such as a graduation party, wedding, baby shower, or birthday party.

When have you had to encourage participation among guests before?

"I recently had to encourage participation among guests when introducing karaoke. Not many of the guests had tried karaoke before, so they were hesitant to give it a try. It wasn't until I went first to show them how karaoke was done that the first guest gave it a try. I am not a great singer and had a lot of fun laughing at myself, so I think that broke the ice."

As an Activities Assistant, you may have to frequently encourage participation depending on the group you are leading, or you may rarely have to encourage participation. Describe a time when you had to promote participation among the guests and explain how you did it. The interviewer wants to hear that you have the motivational skills to get the group going.

What recreational activities have you led before?

"I have three years of experience at a summer camp planning recreational activities for children ages 8-12. Every day I would have a different activity planned for their two weeks' stay. I planned canoe trips, kayaking, swim meets, horseback riding, tug-of-war, sandcastle contests, boogie boarding, surfing, and mini obstacle races. I planned my events based on the children's age and skill level. It was fun coming up with new activities every day that kept the children's interest."

The interviewer wants to hear what type of experience you have leading recreational activities. They want to hear that you are qualified for the job and understand the physical and cognitive limitations of the group you are leading. If you do not have experience as an Activities Assistant, describe another type of recreational activity you have led.

Are you a leader or a follower?

"I consider myself to be a leader and a follower. I have no problem following my supervisor's orders, but I can also lead activities with ease. I think it is important to be able to lead and to follow."

Many people fall into one of the two categories, while others can lead or follow. As an Activities Assistant, you must do both. Your Activities Director or another type of supervisor may ask you to do something, so you are following their orders. But, you also need to lead activities and think on your own. Describe to the interviewer what you consider yourself to be.

How would you discover and research new activities and events for our guests?

"I find the internet to be the most powerful research tool to discover new ideas. I subscribe to an activities blog that an Activities Director started, and she is constantly sharing new ideas and videos of her activities and events. I also find many great ideas on Pinterest."

To keep the guests entertained and excited about the activities and events being presented, it is essential to plan various activities and events. With the power of the internet, it is easy to search for new ideas. You may find activities through Pinterest, a Google search, or an activities blog. Let the interviewer know how you research new ideas.

Do you consider yourself an organized person?

"Yes, I consider myself a very organized person. In this profession, it is a necessity to be organized. I am responsible for organizing activities and events, and it would be impossible to be successful if I did not have these skills. When I plan an event or activity, I document everything in a spreadsheet and on my calendar. At the beginning of each workday, I review my calendar and highlight the key tasks I need to accomplish. I like to plan every project very carefully, and find using online tools helps me stay organized."

Having organizational skills is a quality that Activities Assistants must have. As an Activities Assistant, you will be responsible for organizing, scheduling, and planning events and activities for your residents and guests. You will be responsible for managing logistics that include everything needed for the event or activity. The interviewer wants to hear an example of your organizational skills to see if you are a good fit for the company.

What would you do if an Activities Director told you to conduct an activity that you knew the guests did not like?

"If an Activities Director asked me to conduct an activity that I knew the guests did not like, I would politely tell them that the guests do not like that activity and ask if they want me to do something else. I would suggest an activity that I knew the guests did like and see if the director wanted me to do that activity instead."

The interviewer wants to see if you do as you're told without asking questions or if you will speak up to your supervisor if they ask you to do something you know the guests will not like. It is better to have a voice and tell your supervisor your opinion. The Activities Director may not know that the guests do not like that activity, and as their assistant, it is your responsibility to make them aware.

If you got to know one of our residents very well and they passed away, how would you handle it?

"I have had this happen to me several times in my last job. I had become especially close with one of the residents named Beth, who said I reminded her of her granddaughter. One night, Beth passed away in her sleep. I was sad when I found out the next day when I showed up to work. Instead of doing that day's planned activity, we decided to have a 'story hour' where all the residents could share how Beth had touched their lives. There were some tears, but overall, I think it was very therapeutic for the residents and me to share memories of our friend."

If you work as an Activities Assistant in a nursing home or senior care facility, you will inevitably get to know the residents very well and become close to them. It is sad when they die, and it is natural for you to be upset. The interviewer wants to hear that you are compassionate but will not let their death interfere with your work. If you have first-hand experience with this, share your story with the interviewer.

When has a patient or resident really tested your patience? How did you handle the situation?

"I had a resident who tested my patience one day. There was a gentleman who was being very aggressive while playing chair volleyball in the rec room. He would try to 'spike' the ball towards other residents' heads or faces and even mildly injured one of them. I asked him to be more gentle, but he just mimicked me and continued being aggressive. So, I cut the game short, and we played bingo instead. The next time we were scheduled to play volleyball, I substituted balloons for the ball so no one would get hurt. The resident who was being aggressive said my idea was brilliant and laughed throughout the game. I never had a problem with him after that."

There will be times when a patient or resident will test your patience. They may not intentionally do it, but they may have a cognitive issue, illness, or disease that makes them act a certain way. As an Activities Assistant, you must remain calm and be patient with all residents and patients, regardless of the situation. The interviewer wants to hear that you have the patience and conflict-resolution skills needed for the position.

Activity Assistant Interview Questions

Go Back

1. How well do you handle stress?
2. Why did you leave your last job?
3. What is your least favorite aspect of working as an Activities Assistant?
4. At your last job, how would the Activity Director describe you?
5. What is your greatest strength?
6. What is your greatest weakness?
7. How do you like to spend your free time?
8. How did you hear about this position?
9. If hired, are you available to work weekends and holidays?
10. What is your favorite activity to conduct?
11. If hired, when could you start?
12. Why do you want to work for our company?
13. What makes you a better candidate than the others?
14. Are you interviewing with other companies?
15. What should I know about you that is not on your resume?
16. What do you know about our company?
17. Do you have any questions for me?
18. Do you consider yourself a compassionate person?
19. Describe your passion for this type of work.
20. What are your five-year professional goals?
21. Do you have reliable transportation?
22. What did you think about your former Activities Director?
23. What is your favorite part about working as an Activities Assistant?
24. What made you decide to become an Activities Assistant?
25. What certifications do you have? Which ones do you still plan on pursuing?
26. Tell me about your experiences working with people in poor physical health.
27. What experiences do you have planning and implementing events?
28. When have you had to encourage participation among guests before?
29. What recreational activities have you led before?
30. Are you a leader or a follower?
31. How would you discover and research new activities and events for our guests?
32. Do you consider yourself an organized person?
33. What would you do if an Activities Director told you to conduct an activity that you knew the guests did not like?
34. If you got to know one of our residents very well and they passed away, how would you handle it?
35. When has a patient or resident really tested your patience? How did you handle the situation?

Activity Assistant Interview Questions

1. How well do you handle stress?

2. Why did you leave your last job?

3. What is your least favorite aspect of working as an Activities Assistant?

4. At your last job, how would the Activity Director describe you?

5. What is your greatest strength?

6. What is your greatest weakness?

7. How do you like to spend your free time?

8. How did you hear about this position?

9. If hired, are you available to work weekends and holidays?

10. What is your favorite activity to conduct?

11. If hired, when could you start?

12. Why do you want to work for our company?

13. What makes you a better candidate than the others?

14. Are you interviewing with other companies?

15. What should I know about you that is not on your resume?

16. What do you know about our company?

17. Do you have any questions for me?

18. Do you consider yourself a compassionate person?

19. Describe your passion for this type of work.

20. What are your five-year professional goals?

21. Do you have reliable transportation?

22. What did you think about your former Activities Director?

23. What is your favorite part about working as an Activities Assistant?

24. What made you decide to become an Activities Assistant?

25. What certifications do you have? Which ones do you still plan on pursuing?

26. Tell me about your experiences working with people in poor physical health.

27. What experiences do you have planning and implementing events?

28. When have you had to encourage participation among guests before?

29. What recreational activities have you led before?

30. Are you a leader or a follower?

31. How would you discover and research new activities and events for our guests?

32. Do you consider yourself an organized person?

33. What would you do if an Activities Director told you to conduct an activity that you knew the guests did not like?

34. If you got to know one of our residents very well and they passed away, how would you handle it?

35. When has a patient or resident really tested your patience? How did you handle the situation?