What is the one thing you would change about this career path if you could?

"One thing that I would change about this career path, if I could, would be the amount of apprenticeship hours that it takes to complete your education. I feel that if more apprenticeship hours were required, it would be easier to find quality and better equipped staff when hiring."

Are there any aspects of this career path that you always said you would change if you could? Talk to the interviewer about something that you would change - if it were possible. Be sure to avoid any factors that would create a red flag on the employers' part (IE: I wish I could work less hours).

Think about a difficult boss, professor or coworker. What made him or her difficult? How did you successfully interact with this person?

"I once worked at a locally owned shop where the owner was very demanding. When the owner would walk into the store, employees would announce over their headset system that the owner was in the building, so that everyone could be prepared for his entrance into their department. The owner had great intentions; however, his people skills were a little rough. I could see that he meant well, and I recognized that he wanted to do a lot of good things. When we interacted, I always took his feedback with the understanding that he didn't mean things as harshly as he might say them."

Show the interviewer that you work well with most personalities even though you recognize there are some folks out there who are quite difficult to please. Think about that one person at work who is seen as hard to please. Perhaps there is someone at work who tries to intimidate others. Talk to the interviewer about what made this person challenging and what their relationship was to you. Avoid speaking poorly of anyone and be sure to end your response on a positive note.

How would you describe your work ethic?

"I am a very dedicated and loyal employee. I saw on your website that you describe your organization as honest, transparent and you go the extra mile for your community. My work ethic is the same. I am honest, flexible, and come ready to work hard for my employer every day."

When the interviewer asks about your work ethic they are looking for specific examples or keywords they can relate to. When you read the job posting or job description do they refer to particular ethics of their organization? Talk about their values and how those align well with your personal work values. Some characteristics you may want to use are: - Determined/Driven- Accountable- Humble- Respectful- Dependable

Animal Control workers should have strong communication skills. How would you describe your written communication skills?

"I would describe my written communication skills as very strong and would rate myself as a 9/10. I have always had a penchant for writing and have taken university courses related to communication, writing, and journalism."

Being a clear communicator, in written form, is a very important skill to master, especially when working with the public. Have you taken any courses in communication and writing? Are you confident in your written communication skills? Talk to the interviewer about your written communication abilities and support your answer with a brief example or story.

Considering your background is in a focus different than Animal Control, what skills and characteristics do you have that qualify you for this position?

"Although my background is not in Animal Control, I have worked with many clients who have been in your industry. I bring excellent transferable skills that qualify me for this position. These skills include my advanced abilities in dispute resolution, as well as my proven background in team leadership."

There are many ways that you can be a fit for a position, even though you do not come with direct industry experience. Think about the variety of skills that you have and how those can benefit another employer, despite the industry. These are your transferable skills and they can include things like dispute resolution skills, documentation skills, customer service experience, and even software skills.

Animal Control requires a great deal of patience most days. Do you consider yourself a patient person?

"I do consider myself a patient person. I would rate myself an 8 /10 for patience because I certainly have room to grow but I do have a very long fuse. If I need a boost of patience in a challenging situation I will take a step away, count to 10 and then return to the situation. I recently read a book, 'The Power of Patience' by M.J. Ryan which also gave me some great new methods for coping under stress."

The interviewer would like to know if you consider yourself a patient individual. Impatience can cause a lot of stress and anxiety so it is really important that you are able to showcase your ability to remain patient and professional in workplace situations. Patience is certainly a virtue, but can be difficult to maintain when it seems that situations continue to push your buttons. Show the interviewer that you posses the ability to keep your cool in challenging situations.

How would your co-workers describe your attention to detail?

"My co-workers would describe my attention to detail as very strong. I can very easily point out spelling discrepancies in communication and will notice the small things. I think big-picture as well but have always had a knack for details."

It is always best to support your reply with a real life example. Talk to the interviewer about your level of attentiveness when it comes to details on the job.

List the top 3 skills that you have acquired in your last role.

"In the past few years I was able to upgrade my education while still working full time. The biggest skill that I gained was my ability to multi-task as I worked the dual role of employee and student. I also have strong skills in a variety of Microsoft programs such as PowerPoint and Excel."

You have likely gained many valuable skills in your career. Share with the interviewer which skills you value the most. Be sure to include skills that will potentially benefit this potential new employer.

Tell me about a time at work when your integrity was challenged. How did you handle it?

"Last year our manager went away on vacation for 3 weeks. Some of my co-workers wanted to falsify our time sheets to reflect overtime hours that we did not work. I disagreed and was able to convince them that it was a bad idea and certainly not worth being fired over."

Have you ever faced a time, in the workplace, where you were put to the test when it came to your integrity? Perhaps a co-worker has asked you to lie or you were tempted to be dishonest on your time sheet when the boss was away. Talk to the interviewer about a time when you overcame the temptation to be dishonest.

When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?

"Experiencing a setback is always disappointing, and can be a bit disheartening, but I understand that it happens from time to time. If I experience a major setback I will take a few moments to debrief with my manager, or team, and discuss what I could have done differently. Then, I move on!"

Everyone handles the stress and disappointment of setbacks differently. Discuss with the interviewer how you typically cope with setbacks in the workplace.

How can we motivate you on the job?

"I am best motivated through words of praise and recognition for a job well done. I do like to know that my efforts are being noticed. In my current position we have a leader board and I do like that concept because it creates a healthy bit of personal competition in me as well."

Every employer should know how each staff member is best motivated. Talk to the interviewer about the variety of ways in which you are best motivated on the job.

Tell me about your leadership qualities.

"I have taken many workshops and courses to improve my leadership skills over the years. My leadership qualities are best summed as dedicated, attentive, and motivating. I like to recognize my employees' small wins because that motivates them to continue achieving."

The interviewer would like to know what you consider to be strong leadership qualities. When describing leadership qualities, try to avoid general terms and give some unique ideas. A great leader is someone who people naturally want to follow. They have exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with nearly any personality type. A respected leader will take ownership for their mistakes and will always lead their team by example. True leaders see the importance in motivating others and recognizing even the smallest achievements. Which of these qualities do you most identify with?

What are your salary expectations?

"Currently, I earn a base salary of $45,000 per year plus a potential 20% annual bonus. Last year my earnings were $52,000 and I would like to stay in the same range or slightly higher."

The best way to discuss your salary expectations are to use your current earnings as an example. Be open, and honest. Transparency is the best choice when salary based questions arise.

Do you prefer to work on your own, or as a part of a team?

"Whether I am doing an independent project, or working in a team environment, I always give my best. I enjoy the camaraderie of working in a team, but I can be successful working autonomously as well."

This is not a trick question! The interviewer is trying to get a feel for your personality and how you interact with others. You may work well without the need for much management or direction, or perhaps you are better driven in a collaborative and team led environment. Either way, be honest with the interviewer about your preferences without leaning negatively, either way.

Rate your communication skills from 1-10 with proper examples backing your given rating.

"I rate my communication skills as a 9/10 as I will, on occasion, have times when I am not as clear as I would like to be. My supervisor and co-workers will attest to my clear and concise communication skills. Because I am an open leader, my team will let me know if I need to clarify anything."

On a scale of 1-10, how skilled are you in communication? Why did you choose that particular rating for yourself?

Why did you choose this profession?

"I use to work customer service in a call center. My favorite part about it was talking to customers and helping them solve their problems. I learned that I'm good at communicating on the phone and I liked building relationships. I started researching other careers where I could use these skills. I discovered the field of recruiting, and I started applying. I'm so glad I chose this field because I get to do exactly what I love!"

Now is a great time for you to share your passion and knowledge about the career you have chosen! Interviewers want to hear about how you became interested in the field. Maybe you volunteered at an animal shelter and realized you wanted to become a vet technician. Sometimes we learn that we want to get into a career field through experience working in others.

Why did you leave your last job?

"I was ready to take on a new challenge,"

The interviewer wants to know why you chose to move on. A great response would be to say, "I was ready to take on a new challenge," or "there was no room for growth in that position." It's always best to draw attention to what you are moving onto rather than focusing on what was wrong with what you left. It's understandable to want a new challenge or to desire to learn new things. So share what you're interested in getting out of this new opportunity! If you left involuntarily, explain why and be willing to admit fault. Show what you learned from the situation and how you want to prevent that issue from happening again.

What are your long term career goals in Animal Control?

"I am looking for a long-term fit within animal control. As you can see, I have an Undergraduate degree in Animal Sciences. My plan is to continue a career in Animal Control and eventually work my way into a leadership opportunity."

Interviewing and on-boarding is a costly and time consuming process for any company and hiring manager. Assure the interviewer that you are seeking a long term fit and that you have a vested interest in a career within animal control.Take a look at your career growth options. If any of these stand out to you, it's a great idea to specifically mention them to the interviewer. For instance, your expressed interest with internal advancement will solidify the fact that you are, indeed, seeking a long term fit with them.

Laws surrounding pet licensing can differ in each community. What do you know about pet laws and licensing in our community?

"I am very familiar with the laws surrounding pet licensing in a variety of regions. I do have complete accredited in animal control through the National Animal Control Association as well. If hired, you will not be disappointed in my ability to recite and recall applicable laws and policy, when needed."

The interviewer wants to see that you have done your research before going into the interview. Knowing the area's laws surrounding pet licensing is a great start. Make sure too give an answer that reflects your existing knowledge. If you have any related education or training, this is a good time to bring that up as well.

How familiar are you with the shelter options in our community?

"I know that there are at least 4 animal shelters, and 5 independent animal adoption agencies in our area. We are very lucky to have as many options as we do! I have a great working relationship with these shelters and recently adopted my own pet from one of the independent agencies."

The interviewer wants to see that you have done your research before going into the interview. Knowing the area's resources available to you, as an Animal Control worker, is a great start. Make sure that you have a mental list of all shelters and adoption agencies in your area. If you have an existing relationship with any of them, be sure to bring that up as well.

How would you handle an individual who was hysterical over a missing pet? Tell me how you would calm that person down enough to gather the information you need to do your job.

"If I were to encounter someone who was hysterical over a missing pet, I would be sure to ask them to remain as calm as possible so that I could better help them. I would assure the person that I was on their side and would make every effort to recover their pet. In my experience, when people know that you want to help them, they tend to cooperate much better."

This situational question will help the interviewer to understand how you handle challenging or uncomfortable situations. Show the interviewer that you are able to maintain control on the job while being empathetic, yet remaining professional. If you have a real life example, you can absolutely draw on that situation when answering this question.

As an animal control worker, it is important to always document properly. Do you have strong documentation skills?

"I am very organized and detailed. I fully understand that precise documentation is important when it comes to the sensitive matters surrounding animals. Rest assured, if you hire me, you will not have any troubles surrounding my documentation habits."

The interviewer wants to know that you understand the importance of documentation. As an animal control worker, you need to document the finest of details at times, because you are dealing with sensitive matters. Discuss your good habits when it comes to documentation. If you have strong organizational abilities, this is a great time to bring that up as well.

Being an animal control worker is a physically demanding career. Are you able to be on your feet for many hours at a time? How do you feel about heavy lifting?

"I am very fit and am able to fulfill all of the physical requirements of this role. I go for a 10K run four times per week and also lift weights. There are no physical restrictions on me at this time."

There may be a significant physical component to being an animal control worker. You may need to lift, bend, and run on a regular basis! Being agile and physically capable will be an important factor to your success. Be transparent with the interviewer on your physical capabilities and be honest with yourself as well. If it sounds like too much, perhaps you should reconsider rather than risk injury.

As an Animal Control worker you may be asked to work a variety of shifts. Do you have any restrictions on your availability?

"I am available for full time work which is preferably 8-5 Monday to Friday. I am happy to be a team player and work some overtime, as required. Will these hours meet your expectations?"

Before answering scheduling questions, it's important to be clear on the interviewer's expectations. If you haven't had a chance to clarify their scheduling needs, now would be the perfect time to ask! Consider asking, 'What are the scheduling expectations for this position?' If they expect you to work 12 hour days, it would be important for you to know that before you respond with, 'Absolutely! No problem!' You want to be sure that you can meet their expectations. If it turns out their schedule expectations won't work for you, think about what you CAN offer and see if you can meet in the middle. It's much better to discuss these things in an interview than for you to commit to a schedule that won't work for you.

From time to time, our organization is asked to speak at schools, to groups of children. Would this interest you?

"I have given presentations to groups of 30 from my time in University. Also, I do have some experience giving presentations in my current position. This is to smaller groups of 6-8 people on average. I would be very interested in speaking to groups of children about the importance of animal safety and proper animal care."

The interviewer would like to know if you are comfortable with public speaking, and giving presentations. Discuss any experience that you have when it comes to presenting to small or large groups. This experience could be work related, volunteer related, or perhaps even from your time in school. Be sure to express your interest in being involved in this way.

As an experienced Animal Control worker, if you could receive additional training in any related area, what would you choose?

"If I could receive additional training in any area of animal control, I would choose additional training in handling wildlife. The majority of my experience has been with domestic animals and I find wildlife control cases to be quite fascinating."

The interviewer would like to know where your greatest interests are when it comes to animal control. This question can also be used to uncover any areas that you feel you could improve even further.

Do you have any education or on the job training related to Animal Control?

"I do not have any on the job training related to Animal Control; however, I do have experience as a pet owner and I also have great dispute resolution skills. Are there any courses you would recommend that I take?"

Walk the interviewer through some of your education or on the job training related to being an Animal Control worker. If you do not have any training related to Animal Control, try to draw on some of the transferable skills that you may already have. You can find ideas for these in the job posting. It's absolutely okay to ask the interviewer if there are any courses they recommend you take.

Tell me about your animal related volunteer experience.

"I spent a couple of summers volunteering at our local animal shelter while I was finishing high school. It was a great experience for me and I was able to learn a lot about animal care. I have always been empathetic towards the needs of animals."

The interviewer would like to know if you have spent any time volunteering for an animal related cause. This question is meant to help the hiring manager to determine if you have a true interest in helping animals, aside from it just being a job. Briefly discuss any volunteer related experience you may have.

Have you ever had pets in your personal care?

"My family always had a dog or two when I was growing up. It was my responsibility to feed and walk our family pet. At this time, I do not have any pets in my personal care. I work far too much to make it fair for any animal in my care. As an Animal Control worker, I am happy to spend my days caring for the precious pets of others!"

The interviewer would like to know more about your personal experience when it comes to caring for pets. Talk about any pets that you may have had while growing up, and any pets that you care for now. Keep your answer brief but be sure to express enthusiasm for being a pet owner! If you are not a pet owner, that is totally okay! Let the interviewer know this but still be sure to express your enthusiasm for animals.

Do you have any experience with exotic animals, or wildlife?

"The bulk of my experience has been with domestic animals such as cats and dogs. I do have some personal experience with exotic animals as I used to breed snakes. Also, I grew up on a ranch so I do have exposure to caring for large animals such as horses and cattle."

Walk the interviewer through any exposure you may have had to exotic animals, and wildlife. You will preferably have a work related example to give; however, personal experience can be very valuable as well.

Why do you want a job in Animal Control?

"I want to work for Animal Control because I believe it to be a very important function of law enforcement. My passion for helping animals made the choice an obvious one."

Similar to the question on why you believe Animal Control to be an important profession - be ready to share with the interviewer your thoughts on why this is the profession for you. Perhaps you have a passion for the welfare of animals. Maybe you are interested in some form of law enforcement, but being a police officer is not for you. Whatever your reasoning may be, ensure that the interviewer knows that you have a passion for this career and that you plan to maintain this career path for the long term.

In your opinion, why is Animal Control an important profession?

"I take great pride in my work as an Animal Control worker. Every day I am able to facilitate the safety of innocent animals, as well as the general public. I am very proud of what I do."

The interviewer is looking for passion in your answer as they want to know that you believe your role as an Animal Control worker is an important one. Be prepared with some solid reasoning on why you understand this profession to be important. Here are some reasons to get you started: - Animal Control is responsible for the safety of others in the community. - Because of Animal Control, rabies is now under control in the US and Canada. - They enforce the laws the protect us from exposure to dangerous and/or diseased animals. - Animal Control workers help animals who are lost, injured, or mistreated. - Animal Control workers help facilitate the adoption of homeless pets. - Animal Control officers will testify in court against an abusive pet owner.

Being an Animal Control worker is often stressful. How do you handle high pressure situations?

"I handle stress very well and when you call my references, they will attest to this fact. When I am under pressure on the job, I focus on the task at hand and make sure to not get distracted. Staying focused is very helpful and I will delegate when necessary to alleviate some stress."

As an Animal Control Worker, your days will always bring new challenges and stressful situations. The interviewer wants to know that you can take the heat! Talk to the interviewer about your ability to manage pressure in the workplace. Include any stress management techniques that you find helpful.

Animal Control Workers Interview Questions

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1. What is the one thing you would change about this career path if you could?
2. Think about a difficult boss, professor or coworker. What made him or her difficult? How did you successfully interact with this person?
3. How would you describe your work ethic?
4. Animal Control workers should have strong communication skills. How would you describe your written communication skills?
5. Considering your background is in a focus different than Animal Control, what skills and characteristics do you have that qualify you for this position?
6. Animal Control requires a great deal of patience most days. Do you consider yourself a patient person?
7. How would your co-workers describe your attention to detail?
8. List the top 3 skills that you have acquired in your last role.
9. Tell me about a time at work when your integrity was challenged. How did you handle it?
10. When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?
11. How can we motivate you on the job?
12. Tell me about your leadership qualities.
13. What are your salary expectations?
14. Do you prefer to work on your own, or as a part of a team?
15. Rate your communication skills from 1-10 with proper examples backing your given rating.
16. Why did you choose this profession?
17. Why did you leave your last job?
18. What are your long term career goals in Animal Control?
19. Laws surrounding pet licensing can differ in each community. What do you know about pet laws and licensing in our community?
20. How familiar are you with the shelter options in our community?
21. How would you handle an individual who was hysterical over a missing pet? Tell me how you would calm that person down enough to gather the information you need to do your job.
22. As an animal control worker, it is important to always document properly. Do you have strong documentation skills?
23. Being an animal control worker is a physically demanding career. Are you able to be on your feet for many hours at a time? How do you feel about heavy lifting?
24. As an Animal Control worker you may be asked to work a variety of shifts. Do you have any restrictions on your availability?
25. From time to time, our organization is asked to speak at schools, to groups of children. Would this interest you?
26. As an experienced Animal Control worker, if you could receive additional training in any related area, what would you choose?
27. Do you have any education or on the job training related to Animal Control?
28. Tell me about your animal related volunteer experience.
29. Have you ever had pets in your personal care?
30. Do you have any experience with exotic animals, or wildlife?
31. Why do you want a job in Animal Control?
32. In your opinion, why is Animal Control an important profession?
33. Being an Animal Control worker is often stressful. How do you handle high pressure situations?

Animal Control Workers Interview Questions

1. What is the one thing you would change about this career path if you could?

2. Think about a difficult boss, professor or coworker. What made him or her difficult? How did you successfully interact with this person?

3. How would you describe your work ethic?

4. Animal Control workers should have strong communication skills. How would you describe your written communication skills?

5. Considering your background is in a focus different than Animal Control, what skills and characteristics do you have that qualify you for this position?

6. Animal Control requires a great deal of patience most days. Do you consider yourself a patient person?

7. How would your co-workers describe your attention to detail?

8. List the top 3 skills that you have acquired in your last role.

9. Tell me about a time at work when your integrity was challenged. How did you handle it?

10. When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?

11. How can we motivate you on the job?

12. Tell me about your leadership qualities.

13. What are your salary expectations?

14. Do you prefer to work on your own, or as a part of a team?

15. Rate your communication skills from 1-10 with proper examples backing your given rating.

16. Why did you choose this profession?

17. Why did you leave your last job?

18. What are your long term career goals in Animal Control?

19. Laws surrounding pet licensing can differ in each community. What do you know about pet laws and licensing in our community?

20. How familiar are you with the shelter options in our community?

21. How would you handle an individual who was hysterical over a missing pet? Tell me how you would calm that person down enough to gather the information you need to do your job.

22. As an animal control worker, it is important to always document properly. Do you have strong documentation skills?

23. Being an animal control worker is a physically demanding career. Are you able to be on your feet for many hours at a time? How do you feel about heavy lifting?

24. As an Animal Control worker you may be asked to work a variety of shifts. Do you have any restrictions on your availability?

25. From time to time, our organization is asked to speak at schools, to groups of children. Would this interest you?

26. As an experienced Animal Control worker, if you could receive additional training in any related area, what would you choose?

27. Do you have any education or on the job training related to Animal Control?

28. Tell me about your animal related volunteer experience.

29. Have you ever had pets in your personal care?

30. Do you have any experience with exotic animals, or wildlife?

31. Why do you want a job in Animal Control?

32. In your opinion, why is Animal Control an important profession?

33. Being an Animal Control worker is often stressful. How do you handle high pressure situations?