What was your most successful activity you had at your previous employer?

"By far, the most successful activity where we had approximately 80% participation was pet therapy. Every week, I would coordinate with a pet therapy agency, and they would have owners bring in their trained animals for the residents to hold, pet, and admire. The animals would vary week-to-week, and we would see bunnies, dogs, cats, parrots, goats, piglets, and even a llama. It became so popular that we started having the activity twice a week."

There are many fun and successful activities you can mention. Depending on the residents and guests, some activities may go over better than others, and the interviewer wants to hear an activity you planned that was a success. Explain what the most successful activity was had at your previous employer and the rough percentage of participation.

"Probably the most popular activity that we had on our calendar was bingo. There was almost never a day when we didn't have a group of residents wishing to play, and when we added the prizes once a week, even more residents wanted to participate. Bingo was the biggest hit in our building."

Suppose one of our residents collapsed during an activity. What would you do?

"If a resident collapsed during an activity, I would stop the activity and rush to the resident's side to assess their level of consciousness and their pulse and breathing. If the resident were injured or having a medical emergency, I would call 911 and alert my staff of the emergency. I would provide first aid and CPR if needed while keeping the other residents calm."

If a resident collapses during an activity, you need to assess their level of consciousness and determine if they are breathing and have a pulse. You must determine if the resident has a medical emergency and is injured and call for help if needed. The interviewer wants to hear that you have the basic first aid skills required for the position and remain calm under pressure.

"I would immediately notify the nursing staff and call emergency services. I would provide first aid and/or CPR if needed."

When have you had to adapt your activity planning to meet the needs of residents with a disability?

"I often have to adapt my activity planning to meet the needs of the residents. Most recently, a resident suffered a stroke and lost the use of her left side, and had balance issues. She had been an active participant in a yoga class offered at the facility but could no longer do the floor exercises after her stroke. I developed chair yoga exercises so the resident could continue doing her yoga in her wheelchair despite her disability."

One of the responsibilities of an Activity Director is to plan activities based on the residents' needs. The activity schedule should include activities for people with all types of disabilities. Often, an Activity Director will need to work one-on-one with a resident to address their disability. Describe when and how you adapted your activity planning to meet the needs of a resident with a disability.

"I always made sure that there was space for wheelchairs at the tables when an activity was being set up. I also planned outings that could include those with wheelchairs and walkers, such as boat tours, baseball games at stadiums with handicapped seating, and visits to ethnic restaurants. In addition, for those who could not or did not wish to travel, I used to show travel videos and movies at our facility. Also, exercise was always done with the option of sitting in a chair, so that everyone could participate."

Do you have any questions about our facility?

"Yes, I do have a question that I could not find on your website or in the job announcement. How many Activities Assistants would be reporting to me?"

Before your interview, you must have done your research to learn everything you can about the facility. You should know who runs the facility, who you would report to, how many employees and residents they have, and what types of activities they provide, among other things. If an interviewer asks if you have any questions for them, you always want to answer in the affirmative. Asking questions shows you are eager to learn as much as you can about the facility and the position you applied for. Ask a question that is not found on their website or job announcement.

"Yes, I have two questions. First, would I be working with any assistants, and if so, how many? Second, would I be working at all in memory care?"

Who would you report to if hired by our facility?

"If hired, I would be reporting to the Facility Director, who is Jack Haegman."

Before your interview, you must research the facility to learn everything you can. You can look at their website, visit the facility, talk to staff, contact Human Resources, and read online reviews. You should know who runs the facility, who you would report to, how many employees and residents they have, and what types of activities they provide, among other things. The interviewer wants to see that you have done your homework and know who you would be reporting to. If you could not find that information, be honest and say that you did not learn who you would be reporting to while you researched their facility.

"I would be reporting to the Program Director."

How well do you handle stressful situations?

"I handle stress very well. I feel that reacting to the situation rather than to the stress helps me stay focused on the task at hand. For example, my last activity team felt stressed because of tight deadlines with a large event we had planned. I could feel the stress in the team and picked up some of that stress myself. I decided to help alleviate that stress by identifying how we could work more efficiently as a team. Each team member was delegated a certain measurable task, and we enlisted the help of some volunteers. With the extra help, the stress reduced dramatically, and we easily met our deadline."

Every profession has stressful situations, and the interviewer wants to hear how you handle stress while remaining calm under pressure. The interviewer wants to see that you can take job-related stress without it negatively affecting your performance. Give an example of how you handle stress without it impacting your job performance.

"I like to act on what needs to be done, rather than letting the stress freeze me up. I usually do not immediately have a strong emotional reaction to sudden stressors, but instead, move to rectify as much of the situation as possible and deal with the stress after the fact. When I do feel myself having a strong emotional response, I know to ask for help from a fellow manager or my supervisor, so that I can take care of my needs and move on to handle the situation as soon as possible."

What would you do if you encountered two of your staff arguing in front of the residents?

"If I encountered two of my staff members arguing in front of the residents, I would ask both of them to come to my office. I would ask them what they are arguing about and try to resolve the conflict. I would tell them that their behavior was unacceptable and that if they have a dispute, they need to take care of it privately and not in front of the residents. I would give them a warning and tell them if this ever happened again, they would be reprimanded based on the policies of the facility."

The interviewer wants to gain insight into your conflict resolution and problem-solving skills. They also want to hear what type of leader you are and how you handle disputes among the staff. Explain how you would resolve the issue of two employees arguing in front of the residents and what disciplinary measures you would take if necessary.

"I would ask the staff to speak with me in my office, rather than in front of the resident. I would mediate to help them resolve the conflict, if possible. I would also warn that arguing in front of a resident is not appropriate, and I would follow any further policies of the company in disciplining the staff involved."

Why did you choose a profession as an Activity Director?

"I chose to pursue a career as an Activity Director after working for six months as an Activities Assistant. The director I worked for said I had the skills and leadership qualities to make an excellent Activity Director. The director became my mentor and helped me to achieve my certification. I could not imagine working in any other profession."

The interviewer wants to hear what inspired and motivated you to become an Activity Director. It may be that you were first introduced to the position while working as an Activities Assistant, you have a friend or family member who said you would be an excellent Activity Director, or a professor or guidance counselor recommended you pursue this profession. Describe the reason you chose to pursue this career.

"I have worked with all ages of adults and children, and while I enjoy working with people in general, this is the population that I have most loved working with. Watching residents' face light up when they hear a song that they love, accomplish a meaningful task, or just plain enjoy themselves is very motivating to me. This is why I am choosing to return to this field and plan to make it my life's mission to serve this population."

Where do you see yourself in five years?

"In five years, I will have my Ph.D. and see myself in an administrative role with your company. I will have five years more experience as an Activity Director and feel I will have the knowledge to be an effective administrator."

The interviewer asks this question to gain insight into your goals and how they align with the Activity Director position. They want to see if you envision yourself with their company in five years or if you will be a short-term hire. Describe your professional goals and how you will achieve them.

"I see myself as having achieved my activities certificate and running a successful activities program."

What is your greatest strength as an Activity Director?

"I believe my greatest strength as an Activity Director is my organizational skills. Often, I have many projects going at once and a large staff to manage. If I were not organized, it would be easy to become overwhelmed. I use online tools to organize and plan my schedule and prioritize tasks in order of importance. I look at my calendar every night before going to bed, so I know exactly what I have planned for the following day."

The interviewer wants to hear what you consider your strongest quality as an Activity Director. Before your interview, reread the job announcement and use a keyword to describe their ideal candidate. If they are looking for an Activity Director that is dependable, creative, compassionate, organized, and energetic, use one of those words to describe your greatest strength with an example to support it.

"My greatest strength is my creativity. I am able to think outside the box and come up with new solutions, which helped me to improve and expand our activities program at __________."

How are your communication skills?

"I believe I have excellent communication skills. There are many parts to communicating with others, which start with actively listening and observing body language. When assessing a resident, I know how to ask the right questions and listen and document their response. I can then use their answers to formulate an activity plan that works for their specific needs. I am also to effectively communicate to my staff and managers in verbal and written form."

As an Activity Director, you must have excellent listening, nonverbal, written, and verbal communication skills. Your responsibilities include effectively communicating with residents and their families, your staff, volunteers, and supervisors. Another job duty that requires excellent communication skills is writing policies and procedures, training programs, activity schedules, and grant proposals. The interviewer wants to hear that you have the necessary skills for the position. Explain how you are an effective communicator by giving an example of your communication skills.

"I have learned that it is best to be open and listen first, in most situations, whether it be with staff or residents. I also like to ask clarifying questions for better understanding. Once I understand the situation and the other person feels heard, then I will proceed to say my part. In addition, sometimes allowing anonymous suggestions and feedback by way of a suggestion box or survey is helpful for communication."

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

"Yes, I am available to work weekends and holidays if hired. I do not have any other obligations that will keep me from working when needed."

Some facilities have their Activity Directors work a Monday through Friday schedule with holidays and weekends off, while others have activity staff working weekends and holidays. Generally, if weekends and holidays are part of the job description, it will be mentioned in the job announcement, so you should already know it is a job requirement.

"I am available Saturdays, per the job description; however, I have a standing commitment on Sunday mornings and would not be available until at least 1:00 pm. I am available on most holidays."

Do you have reliable transportation?

"Yes, I do have reliable transportation, and you can depend on me to show up for my shifts on time. I bought a new Subaru Outback two years ago and have all of the scheduled maintenance done. It has been a great vehicle, and I have never had a problem with it."

Interviewers cannot ask if you have a car, but they can ask if you have reliable transportation if it is part of the job requirement. They want to ensure that you will arrive at work on time and be dependable. If you have a car, you can say that you own a reliable vehicle, and they can depend on you to be at work on time. If you use another form of transportation, explain what mode of transportation you use.

"Yes, I have my own vehicle, all of the maintenance is up to date, and I have never had it break down on me. It has been very reliable."

What is one area about yourself you believe you could improve upon to be a better Activity Director?

"One area that I could improve upon is my ability to work with Excel spreadsheets. I understand the basics, but I need to learn so many other features, which would shorten my time on paperwork. I have enrolled in a short, online course in mastering Excel, and it has already taught me shortcuts that will improve my efficiency. Spending less time on paperwork will make me a better Activity Director because I will have more time to spend with my staff and residents."

This question is similar to 'describing your greatest weakness.' The interviewer wants to see that you are humble enough to identify areas of improvement and take action to make that happen. Describe an area that you feel you could improve upon as an Activity Director and what steps you are taking to become better.

"I would like to expand my education to include an Activities course and corresponding certificate, to broaden my knowledge of how to better adapt activities for seniors as well as improve my management skills. I would also like to have better knowledge of Excel, as I only know how to do some of the functions."

This job requires you to be in good physical shape. Are you capable of standing and walking for extended periods of time?

"I am in excellent physical shape and have no medical problems. I can walk and stand for long periods and prefer that to sitting at a desk all day. I am very active and exercise at least four to five days a week. I enjoy full-body workouts that work all muscle groups and non-impact cardio exercises, such as cycling and swimming. I feel it is important to stay in shape so I can be a good role model for my family and the residents I work with."

Activity Directors must be active and in good physical shape since most agencies require standing or walking for long periods, bending, squatting, and lifting heavy objects. The interviewer wants to hear that you have the qualities they are looking for. Describe how you stay in shape and why you feel it is essential to do so.

"Yes, I prefer to be more physically active than to sit all day. I can easily stand and walk as needed. I do have some issues with my lower back and cannot lift very heavy objects. This is my only restriction. I will be continuing to exercise regularly to keep healthy and in good shape. I also wear good quality shoes to ensure that I can remain active throughout the day."

Do you have experience planning activities that tie into the local community and bring residents and the public together?

"I do have experience planning activities that bring the public and residents together. I coordinated an 'adopt-a-grandparent' program where parents could bring their children who did not have living grandparents to our facility and 'adopt' a resident. The residents enjoyed having young children visit them, and the children enjoyed hearing stories and receiving small gifts from their adoptive grandparents. It was a huge success, and after there was a local news story about the program, other Activity Directors in the area started implementing the same into their activities."

Some Activity Directors have experience planning activities that tie into the local community, such as story hour with preschool kids or pet therapy with their owners. Other directors do not have that experience but consider their facility and residents a local community. Explain what experience you have with this, and give an example of your planned activities to bring the residents and public together.

"No, I have not had the opportunity to plan an event involving the community. However, I did have the opportunity to participate in such an event before becoming the activities director. This was our annual holiday boutique, which was open to the public. I was able to experience how the activities director at the time managed the event and assist her with making sure things ran smoothly."

How would you encourage participation in activities among our residents?

"I have had great success with resident participation by asking and implementing activities they want. When I design an activities schedule, I include activities that the residents have asked for, which automatically increases participation."

There are many ways to encourage participation among the residents. First, you must ask and listen to what the residents want. If you are creating activities that are not enjoyed, there will be less participation. When you design programs that interest the residents, there will automatically be increased participation. You can encourage friendships among the residents, which helps with accountability, and involve the residents' family members if needed. Choose a method that works for you and explain to the interviewer how you have encouraged participation among the residents.

"I would periodically survey the residents or have a suggestion box always accessible to them so that I could make sure that we were offering what interests them. I would also find a way to get reminders to those who need assistance remembering the schedule so that they don't miss out on what they want to do."

What type of cognitive programs would you enjoy implementing at our facility?

"After looking at your activity schedule and what programs you offer, I would implement the following cognitive programs: large piece puzzles, memory games, and scrapbooking. All of these activities stimulate the brain and have been shown to improve cognitive abilities."

The types of cognitive programs you would enjoy implementing should be based on the clientele at the facility. Suppose you are applying to a memory care facility where the majority of the residents have Alzheimer's. In that case, your program will differ from that of a cognitive program at a retirement home. Research the facility before your interview to see what programs are already offered and suggest something different than what they already have.

"After reviewing the activity calendar, I would add some word games and puzzles for the residents to participate in. This could include Scrabble tournaments or Words with Friends online, or even word searches and crossword puzzles that are circulated on a regular basis. If people were not motivated to participate, I might even add prizes to certain activities, as an incentive."

Describe a few low-impact aerobic exercises you would like to implement at our facility.

"After looking at your activities schedule, I noticed you do not offer any yoga, strength training, or swim aerobics classes. Since you have an indoor heated pool, the first exercise I would like to implement is swim aerobics. I had huge success with the number of participants who engaged in the swim aerobics class at a previous facility. Not only was it excellent cardiovascular exercise, but it was an activity even those in physical therapy could participate in. I also think yoga and strength training classes would be very beneficial to the residents, and both can be adapted as a chair exercise."

There are many types of low-impact aerobics that you could implement. Before your interview, it is a good idea to thoroughly research the facility and see what kinds of activities they are already offering. When you answer, the interviewer will get an insight into your creativity and if you looked at their activity schedule. You do not want to suggest a low-impact exercise they already offer.

"One thing that I would like to add is the opportunity to go swimming at an indoor facility, as swimming provides the opportunity for those with back or joint pain to be able to exercise comfortably. Another thing that I would do is make available 1, 3, and 5-pound weights or resistance bands for use during chair exercises, to add resistance and build strength. Finally, I would add some scenic walks during the Spring and Fall, perhaps at the Desert Reserve, so that the residents can enjoy nature and get some sunshine during their walks."

I am sure you have gotten the chance to research our facility. What activities do you feel are missing or you would like to implement?

"Yes, I have done extensive research on your facility before putting in my application. I looked over your activity schedule on your website, and I love the variety of activities you offer. One thing I would like to implement is offering an activity where we can shuttle the residents to the local casino once a week. I implemented that at my last place of employment, even though I was met with resistance at first from the department head. She did not think it was a respectable activity and told me it wouldn't go over well. I put a sign-up sheet at the activities desk and announced to the residents during breakfast that they could sign up if interested. We had 30 signatures the first day and had to rent an extra shuttle. It was a very successful activity, and they still do their weekly casino trips."

You should have taken the time to research the facility you applied to, as the interviewer inferred. While doing your research, you may have noticed their activity schedule on the website. Describe an activity that you would like to implement that was not on their schedule, and explain how that activity has been successful for you in the past.

"I did take a look at the calendar, and there was a wide selection of activities; however, there are a couple of things that I would implement. First, I would be to make sure that there are options for activities that specifically appeal to male residents. Also, I would take a look at resident demographics to see if any different spiritual opportunities needed to be added; for example, if some of the residents are Jewish, Catholic, Muslim, etcetera, I would research if there was a way to provide opportunities for them to have worship services either on-site or remotely, at least once a month."

Do you have experience talking with and comforting family members that will come to visit their loved ones?

"I do have experience talking with and comforting family members that come to visit their loved ones. One of my responsibilities at my previous employer was to assess each resident when they moved into the facility. Those assessments usually included at least one family member, but anyone that wanted to participate was welcome. I would talk with the family and answer their questions, and let them know I was always available to talk. There were many times I had to comfort family members when their loved ones became ill, experienced cognitive issues, or passed away. I believe it is necessary to be compassionate and empathetic in this profession."

One of the duties of an Activity Director is talking and comforting residents and family members when needed. Family members can become emotional if their loved one is in poor health or has cognitive difficulties or when they pass away. Compassion and empathy are excellent traits for Activity Directors to have, and the interviewer wants to see that you have those qualities and the experience to go with them.

"Yes, I occasionally met with family members to discuss how we could better help their loved ones adjust to their new environment. I also had some brief interactions with loved ones when a family member passed away. In all cases, I treated the families with compassion and empathy as was appropriate for the situation."

If hired, when could you start?

"I left my last job three weeks ago, so I am not currently working. If hired, I am available to start immediately."

If you are currently employed, it is customary to give two weeks' notice to your employer. Explaining to the interviewer that you need to give notice shows you are reliable and respectful to your employer. If you are not currently employed, it is best to say that you can start immediately, which shows excitement and enthusiasm to work for their facility.

"If hired, I can start immediately."

What is the one responsibility as an Activity Director that you dislike performing?

"The one responsibility that I like performing the least is writing grant proposals. I understand it is part of my duties, and I have written many grant proposals, but the time it takes away from me interacting with the residents makes it feel burdensome. I turn it into something I don't particularly appreciate performing into something positive when our facility is awarded the grant money, and it improves our residents' lives. Then it seems worth the time I took to write the proposal."

Activity Directors have many responsibilities. They plan and schedule activities, perform assessments, consult with other medical professionals, attend to administrative concerns, and prepare reports to obtain and maintain grant funding. Whatever responsibility you dislike performing, make sure you follow up with a positive response to show the interviewer it won't interfere with your job performance if hired.

"The responsibility that I liked the least was talking with some of the entertainment vendors. Some of them really pushed to come to our facility more often and didn't understand that we rotated through various types of entertainment for the sake of the members. Occasionally someone would become angry or put on a lot of pressure that we weren't calling them as often as they wished, and that was always a difficult conversation to have. I always handled the conversations professionally, however, and never experienced a vendor refusing to work with us."

Describe your passion for helping senior citizens.

"My passion for helping senior citizens stems from when I was a child. My great-grandmother was in a skilled nursing facility, and we would visit her at least once a week. The Activity Director would let my brother and me participate in the residents' activities; we were essentially allowed to play with them. I could see the joy on the residents' faces when young kids would visit and participate. I realized that I wanted to pursue this line of work so I could offer the same. It brings me great joy to plan activities that include young children and see the same smiles on the residents' faces. They have told me it makes them feel young again, and that keeps me motivated to keep helping."

You pursued a career as an Activity Director because you enjoy working with and helping senior citizens. The interviewer wants to know why you are passionate about your job. Give an example of why you pursued this line of work and what keeps you motivated to help others.

"Through the years, I have worked with many different populations, and senior citizens are my absolute favorite to work with. These people have so much wisdom to contribute, many wonderful stories to tell, and are so much more energetic than they are given credit for. I truly enjoy working with and serving this population, and nothing makes me happier than seeing someone smile, knowing that I helped them to feel happy in that moment. I truly feel that our seniors have earned the right to live their best life, and I wish to be a part of helping them to do so."

How would your former staff and residents describe you?

"At my former job, I sent out a questionnaire to all residents and staff asking what they thought of my performance. I asked what they liked and disliked and was open to suggestions for improvement. I had very positive feedback. Most everyone said I was a good leader, compassionate, and actively listened to their requests. They expressed that I was approachable and easy to talk to."

The interviewer wants to hear how you think others would describe you and that you are honest and self-aware of your strengths and weaknesses. Choose two or three traits that are relevant to the position and that you feel accurately describes you. If you have first-hand input from your former colleagues and residents, use their exact words in your answer.

"Friendly, approachable, creative, flexible, open-minded, and intelligent."

How do you like to spend your free time?

"In my free time, I enjoy gardening, playing with my two kids, and frisbee golf. I love being outdoors and camping at least once a month with my family, where we will hike, kayak, mountain bike, and fish. I also enjoy reading cookbooks and trying out new recipes."

The interviewer wants to get to know you personally by hearing what hobbies or activities you enjoy. They also want to hear that you take care of your physical and mental health by destressing on your days off. Describe healthy activities and hobbies you enjoy in your free time.

"I very much enjoy arts and crafts, spending time with friends and family, and sometimes reading. Human connection is very important to me, so I often combine some of these activities by hosting a craft night with friends or participating in a seasonal book club."

What certifications do you have and which do you still plan on obtaining?

"I have my Activity Director Certified credentials through the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals, which I received four years ago. I also have my CPR, AED, and First Aid certifications, which I just renewed last month. I am also interested in moving into a higher supervisory position within your organization and am working on my master's degree in health administration. I will complete my master's in the next 18 months."

If you made it to the interview, you must have the certifications the organization requires. The interviewer wants to verify that you have the credentials that meet the agency's requirements and what future certifications you plan on obtaining. If you do not plan on getting future certifications at this point in your career, mention how you plan on maintaining the current certifications you have.

"I have a bachelor's degree in psychology and have plans to enroll in a course to get an activities certificate. I also intend to update my CPR and first aid certification, which is expired at this time."

Do you have experience with hiring and training staff?

"Yes, I have three years of experience hiring and training staff. At my previous company, I created the job announcement and reviewed resumes and applications. Once I had narrowed down the qualified candidates, I would invite them to an in-person interview with me and the department head. Once we decided on the ideal candidate, we would offer them the position and start their training program. I also have experience conducting annual training for all employees."

One of the responsibilities of an Activity Director is to hire and train staff. The interviewer wants to hear if you have experience with performing these duties. If you have experience hiring and training staff, explain your methods. If you are a new Activity Director and do not have experience with these tasks, describe any other experience in a leadership role.

"I have experience interviewing staff, but as I was new to the hiring process at the time, our director ended up making the final selection. I then was responsible for training our staff member, who eventually took over my position when I left."

Please name one activity you implemented that was not well received by the residents.

"One activity that I implemented that was not well received was karaoke. I had a few residents suggest the activity before implementing it, and those were the only residents that participated. I asked the other residents why they were not engaging in the activity, and the response was it was too difficult to read the screen with the words to the song because the words moved quickly. To make the activity more appealing, I suggested that karaoke become a family night activity where visitors could come and sing. After implementing that change, I had a lot more participation."

There may be times that an activity you implemented was not well received. The interviewer wants to hear that you are aware of when activities are not well received and do something about it. Describe what type of activity was not well received by the residents and what changes you made.

"When I was volunteering at _______, I started a Poetry group. Only one person showed up on the first day. While she reported enjoying the activity, she never showed up to another group. In addition, no one else attended any of the poetry groups."

Tell me about your experience as an Activity Director supervising staff.

"I have five years of supervisory experience as an Activity Director at my previous facility. My duties included hiring and firing staff, training new and current employees, writing performance reviews, updating the manual of operations, and assisting the Nursing Manager with managing her staff. I was also in charge of supervising volunteer staff when we had a volunteer program."

As an Activity Director, part of your responsibilities will be to supervise, hire, and train staff. You may also be required to assist the Nursing Supervisor with managing their team. Explain how many years of experience you have supervising staff, and describe your leadership style. The interviewer wants to see that you have the leadership skills and experience they are looking for in a candidate.

How often did you try out new activities at your previous facility?

"At my previous facility, the residents were very resistant to change. When asked, the residents were happy with the activities schedule and would become upset if their routine changed. I would try out a new activity once a month, but I did not have much participation. If hired here, I would like to try out new activities once or twice a month and see what response I receive from the residents. If they wanted new activities more frequently, I would respond to their wishes and incorporate new activities more often."

How often an Activity Director tries out new activities depends on the facility's guidelines, the residents' wishes, and staffing. If an Activity Director is understaffed, new activities may not be added as often. It also depends on the cognitive level of the residents or if the residents accept or are resistant to change. Describe your methods and frequency of trying out new activities at your last place of employment.

"I regularly added or adjusted activities to suit the needs and desires of the residents. For example, when some residents did not have access to cash or could not afford to spend money on Bingo, I changed our Friday game to a free game where the residents could win small prizes. Also, I changed up the locations of our twice-monthly outings to include places that the residents had never had the opportunity to visit."

Tell me about your experience as an Activity Director.

"I received my bachelor's degree in recreation therapy from Arizona State University two years ago, and have been working as an Activity Director since graduating. I currently work at Charbaneoux Senior Living Home and am in charge of scheduling the monthly activity calendars, cultural events, therapeutic activities, and game nights."

The interviewer wants to hear what type of experience you have as an Activity Director and if you have the qualifications they seek. Most likely, you have met the requirements if you are at the interview. Briefly describe your background and qualifications.

"I absolutely loved the times that I have had the opportunity to work with the senior population. At ________, I really got to know a lot of our residents, first during my time as Personal Preferences Coordinator, and then later working in Activities. To me, it was very important to take into account what the residents wanted and needed, as well as to try to keep things interesting for them. Later, when I volunteered at _________, I had the same feeling of satisfaction working with the residents and getting to know them. Getting back into this field is something that I have wanted to do for a long time, and now that we are past the days of locking down for covid, I am hoping to return to doing what I love."

What is your leadership style?

"I would describe my leadership style as a mix of leading by example and delegation. I lead by example by staying involved and working side-by-side with my activity staff and taking the lead on projects, but I also am good at delegating tasks. I feel that when I delegate responsibilities to my staff, they become more confident in their role."

Many leadership styles benefit different teams in the workplace. Sometimes, one leadership style will be more effective in specific industries than others. Research the different leadership styles before your interview and choose the one that best describes how you lead a team. Give an example of your leadership skills in the workplace.

"I believe in treating staff members with respect, leading by example, and learning their individual personalities so that I can adapt my leadership style to help them succeed. I learned at ___________ to be flexible with my approach, in order to help the staff member feel more comfortable."

When have you had a problem with caregivers obstructing your activities? How did you work with them to ensure the residents were able to participate?

"I have only ever had this happen to me once in my career. I was working at a retirement home, and a resident had early-onset dementia. I had cognitive activities planned that would help her, but her husband refused to let her participate. I asked her husband why he would not let her participate, and he felt what I had planned was 'childish.' He had a hard time accepting his wife was losing cognitive ability. I patiently explained what was going on with his wife's brain and that I was only trying to keep her brain stimulated. I asked if he had any suggestions about what his wife might like that did not seem so 'childish' to him, and he suggested word games since she liked crossword puzzles. I created new activities for her based on his input, and he was more accepting of her participation."

There are many situations where caregivers may obstruct your activities. It might be a spouse who is the caregiver and does not want their significant other making new friends, a caregiver who feels that the resident is not mentally or physically capable of participating in activities, or someone who feels the activities are not relevant. If you have ever had a caregiver obstruct your activities, explain the situation and describe how you worked with them. If you have never encountered this, explain that this has not been a problem and tell the interviewer how you would handle this situation if it happened.

"I actually have never encountered this issue. The caregivers, office staff, and visiting family members at our facility were always ready to help and encourage the residents to participate. Many staff even helped me to give reminders to the residents that an activity was coming up so that they could participate. If I did encounter this issue, I would talk with the caregiver to discover what the roadblock was, try to work around it, and welcome their suggestions as to what the resident might enjoy better."

What would you do if you suspected one of our residents was being abused by a staff member?

"If I suspected a staff member was abusing a resident, I am mandated to report the incident. I would follow the facility's protocols for reporting and investigating the alleged abuse."

Healthcare professionals are mandated to report suspected abuse, which typically includes Activity Directors and their staff. The interviewer wants to see if you know the laws regarding alleged abuse and the measures you would take to intervene and report it. Your answer also shows your leadership style and how you handle employee discipline.

"I would immediately report the incident to our program director, as well as the Ombudsman."

Activity Director Interview Questions

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1. What was your most successful activity you had at your previous employer?
2. Suppose one of our residents collapsed during an activity. What would you do?
3. When have you had to adapt your activity planning to meet the needs of residents with a disability?
4. Do you have any questions about our facility?
5. Who would you report to if hired by our facility?
6. How well do you handle stressful situations?
7. What would you do if you encountered two of your staff arguing in front of the residents?
8. Why did you choose a profession as an Activity Director?
9. Where do you see yourself in five years?
10. What is your greatest strength as an Activity Director?
11. How are your communication skills?
12. If hired, are you available to work weekends and holidays?
13. Do you have reliable transportation?
14. What is one area about yourself you believe you could improve upon to be a better Activity Director?
15. This job requires you to be in good physical shape. Are you capable of standing and walking for extended periods of time?
16. Do you have experience planning activities that tie into the local community and bring residents and the public together?
17. How would you encourage participation in activities among our residents?
18. What type of cognitive programs would you enjoy implementing at our facility?
19. Describe a few low-impact aerobic exercises you would like to implement at our facility.
20. I am sure you have gotten the chance to research our facility. What activities do you feel are missing or you would like to implement?
21. Do you have experience talking with and comforting family members that will come to visit their loved ones?
22. If hired, when could you start?
23. What is the one responsibility as an Activity Director that you dislike performing?
24. Describe your passion for helping senior citizens.
25. How would your former staff and residents describe you?
26. How do you like to spend your free time?
27. What certifications do you have and which do you still plan on obtaining?
28. Do you have experience with hiring and training staff?
29. Please name one activity you implemented that was not well received by the residents.
30. Tell me about your experience as an Activity Director supervising staff.
31. How often did you try out new activities at your previous facility?
32. Tell me about your experience as an Activity Director.
33. What is your leadership style?
34. When have you had a problem with caregivers obstructing your activities? How did you work with them to ensure the residents were able to participate?
35. What would you do if you suspected one of our residents was being abused by a staff member?

Activity Director Interview Questions

1. What was your most successful activity you had at your previous employer?

2. Suppose one of our residents collapsed during an activity. What would you do?

3. When have you had to adapt your activity planning to meet the needs of residents with a disability?

4. Do you have any questions about our facility?

5. Who would you report to if hired by our facility?

6. How well do you handle stressful situations?

7. What would you do if you encountered two of your staff arguing in front of the residents?

8. Why did you choose a profession as an Activity Director?

9. Where do you see yourself in five years?

10. What is your greatest strength as an Activity Director?

11. How are your communication skills?

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

13. Do you have reliable transportation?

14. What is one area about yourself you believe you could improve upon to be a better Activity Director?

15. This job requires you to be in good physical shape. Are you capable of standing and walking for extended periods of time?

16. Do you have experience planning activities that tie into the local community and bring residents and the public together?

17. How would you encourage participation in activities among our residents?

18. What type of cognitive programs would you enjoy implementing at our facility?

19. Describe a few low-impact aerobic exercises you would like to implement at our facility.

20. I am sure you have gotten the chance to research our facility. What activities do you feel are missing or you would like to implement?

21. Do you have experience talking with and comforting family members that will come to visit their loved ones?

22. If hired, when could you start?

23. What is the one responsibility as an Activity Director that you dislike performing?

24. Describe your passion for helping senior citizens.

25. How would your former staff and residents describe you?

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

27. What certifications do you have and which do you still plan on obtaining?

28. Do you have experience with hiring and training staff?

29. Please name one activity you implemented that was not well received by the residents.

30. Tell me about your experience as an Activity Director supervising staff.

31. How often did you try out new activities at your previous facility?

32. Tell me about your experience as an Activity Director.

33. What is your leadership style?

34. When have you had a problem with caregivers obstructing your activities? How did you work with them to ensure the residents were able to participate?

35. What would you do if you suspected one of our residents was being abused by a staff member?