Addiction Counselor Mock Interview

Practice 30 Addiction Counselor interview questions covering ethical dilemmas, crisis intervention, and client-centered approaches.

Question 15 of 30

If you were the person responsible for hiring new employees, what qualities would you look for in a candidate, and do you think you possess those qualities?

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Rachelle Enns

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.

"If I were hiring someone, I would look for someone who is passionate about the job and about patient care. I also feel that being approachable and willing to learn is very important."

Rachelle Enns

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.

"We all possess different qualities and that is what makes a great team. If I were responsible for interviewing and hiring new employees, I would look for someone who has a genuine interest in the job and a desire to grow and learn. None of us knows everything there is to know about each disease or treatment. Being willing to learn and share what we've learned with one another makes us a better team and benefits our patients and those who will need care in the future."

Heather Douglass

Heather Douglass has over 20 years of experience as a Career Coach, Recruiter, and HR Specialist. Much of her experience is as a Technical Recruiter in the healthcare industry.

There is more than one reason for asking this question. First, the interviewer wants to know what qualities you think are important to perform this job. Second, and most importantly, your answer will tell the interviewer if you hold yourself to the same standard as you do others.If you want to see certain characteristics in your peers, you should be able to tell the interviewer with confidence that you possess those traits, as well. This question is one that interviewers often use to distinguish sincerity on the part of the candidate.

Heather Douglass

Heather Douglass has over 20 years of experience as a Career Coach, Recruiter, and HR Specialist. Much of her experience is as a Technical Recruiter in the healthcare industry.

"I believe that honesty is important no matter what job title a person holds. I have found that being honest with people creates an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. Those qualities, I feel, are essential when building rapport with patients and co-workers."

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Jaymie

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Anonymous Answer

Assertiveness, dedication, reliability, personability, and a willingness to learn and grow within their position.

Kristine's Feedback

Great start! Be sure to address the second half of the question, which asks if you possess the qualities you mention.

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30Addiction Counselor Interview Questions & Answers

1.What made you choose a career as an Addiction Counselor?

2.What is something that is difficult for you to deal with being an addiction counselor?

3.If you had a client who told you he was only coming to counseling because he was ordered to by a judge and that he had no intention of quitting drugs, how would you handle the situation?

4.What are some addictions that you have worked with previously and can you share something about one addiction with me?

5.Have you or a loved one ever been directly affected by an addiction?

6.What would an ideal work schedule be like for you?

7. What is something that is rewarding to you about being an addiction counselor?

8.If a client began to be physically aggressive toward you, how would you handle the situation?

9.How would your coworkers describe you?

10.If a client has a food addiction, what are some things that you like to do with them as part of their counseling?

11.Do you have experience doing group counseling sessions, and if so, what are your thoughts?

12.What makes you feel you will be a good fit for our organization?

13.Other than individual counseling, what are some other services you have provided to clients and/or their families?

14.What are some major factors that may cause a patient to relapse, and how do you approach preparing clients to cope with or avoid these risk factors?

15.If you were the person responsible for hiring new employees, what qualities would you look for in a candidate, and do you think you possess those qualities?

16.If you were to teach a counseling intern regarding signs to observe for that may indicate signs of drug abuse, what would you tell them?

17.Tell me about a time you were trusted with confidential information regarding a patient's care.

18.Is there a type of patient or specific diagnosis that you find it more difficult to treat?

19.What are you thoughts regarding involving a client's family in their treatment, and how do you go about doing that?

20.If you had a client who consistently lied to you regarding his continued substance abuse, how would you handle that situation?

21.Have you ever considered choosing a different specialty?

22.What are your thoughts about inpatient treatment facilities, and what do you think could make the chances of staying in recovery better for clients after they have been discharged from inpatient care?

23.Has there ever been a time that you had a disagreement with a coworker, and if so, how was it resolved?

24.What characteristics do you think are important for an addiction counselor to possess?

25.Under what circumstances would you feel that you need to turn the care of a client over to another counselor?

26.Have you ever done any volunteer work or public education related to substance abuse or addiction disorders?

27.If a client was under the care of another counselor at your place of employment, but that client came to you and suggested that his current counselor had made inappropriate advances toward him, how would you respond?