Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond the requirements of the job.
"When I was waiting tables at a restaurant, I would always roll the silverware and wipe down the tables every time I started my shift. My boss never had to ask me to sweep the floor or remind me of my daily duties because I was always on top of things. People enjoyed working with me because I had such a positive attitude and I worked hard. I always offered to cover shifts and make myself available to my coworkers for support when they needed it."
"All of the time! I am a busy body, so you will often find me doing extra cleaning, working ahead on the employee schedule, or making new marketing materials for the company Instagram account."
The interviewer wants to know that you are not the type of employee to do just enough to scrape by. You can give an example from any of your past volunteer jobs or your professional experience. Show that you are willing to do what it takes to keep the shelter clean and to keep the animals happy.
"I love to impress my employer. I currently work at a pet store and will often stay late to help out a customer who arrives just as the doors are closing. I get to know our regular customers, and even remember the names of their pets! It keeps customers coming back when they feel like they are part of a community."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I believe I consistently went above and beyond as a dental assistant. By helping temporary staff, and junior staff, and new staff to learn and to feel welcome and included, I feel I added a lot of value to the workplace.
Stephanie's Feedback
That's awesome that you went the extra mile to support your colleagues. To strengthen this response, I suggest you provide more specific details or examples of exactly how you accomplished this. What does it mean for you to go "above and beyond?" What are some examples of how that actually looked or what you accomplished? Is there a specific example that comes to mind of a time when you worked overtime or took on extra responsibilities to alleviate someone else's burden?
Unlock all 25 Animal Shelter Worker questions
Prepare for compassion-focused questions that assess your dedication to animal welfare.
Get Started