School Counselor Mock Interview

Practice 40 School Counselor interview questions covering crisis intervention, student advocacy, and collaboration with families.

Question 1 of 40

Why did you choose to apply in our school?

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Ryan Brown

Ryan Brown created and launched MockQuestions in 2008.

You don't have to memorize the history of the school to ace this part. You can mention what the school is known for (e.g. 'It is among the top private schools in the district', 'It is known for its stellar program for research') or focus on what they stand for (e.g. vision, mission, and core values). You can use this opportunity to mention your personal values that are aligned with theirs.

Ryan Brown

Ryan Brown created and launched MockQuestions in 2008.

"The school has received numerous recognitions when it comes to both academics and sports, thanks to the holistic curriculum that you offer to your students. Personally, I believe that a person has to be well-rounded so your school's dedication to holistic development resonates with my own values."

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Anonymous Answer

The school has made improvements in relation to academic standards and progress. I believe the school is implementing programs to help students achieve even more academically while providing support for the emotional and physical needs of students via athletics. I am familiar with the demographics of the student population at the school and have worked with similar students in the past.

Ryan's Feedback

Great job on your answer! You clearly did your research on the school and its initiatives, which is exactly what the interviewer wants to see. However, I suggest making a slight adjustment to your first sentence, as it comes across as slightly conditional. Instead, you could try phrasing it more confidently, like this: 'I've always had great admiration for this school, and recently, I've been impressed by the significant improvements made in academic standards and student progress, which have made me proud to apply here.'

Anonymous Answer

The District's mission to Ignite innovative and meaningful learning, Inspire powerful impact in our communities, and Prepare all students for multiple paths to success, resonates with me on several levels: opportunity to be creative in developing program information; to utilize my background in school counseling and social work to engage with students, families and the community; and to help students achieve their academic and career goals.

Stephanie's Feedback

Great response; it's clear that you have an understanding of the district that you're applying to. To strengthen your response, you might consider explaining how the mission and values of the district connect with your own values.

Anonymous Answer

I have had the opportunity to work in the private, charter, and now a public school. While I have enjoyed each school I have been employed at I prefer to work at a school that holds its students accountable for high academic standards, integrity, and good citizenship. I like the high level of parent involvement at a private school. I believe it is an essential partnership in helping students become lifelong learners.

Cindy's Feedback

Great start. Is there anything about this school in particular that attracted you to it and that separates it from other private schools? Why this particular private school and not another?

Anonymous Answer

I applied at St. Stephen's elementary school because every staff member is dedicated to supporting students on all levels, and you have strong community support and a diverse student population. I also love that you have given students multiple ways to earn and offer a Spanish immersion program. Immersion programs are such an awesome way to learn a language. I wish I had had those opportunities when I went to school.

Marcie's Feedback

Great response! Your passion and sincerity shine through when you talk about the Spanish immersion program at St. Stephen's and how you wish something similar existed when you were younger. This is an effective way to show how much the school appeals to you. Excellent!

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40School Counselor Interview Questions & Answers

Direct

1.Why did you choose to apply in our school?

Compatibility

2.Why would you make a great school counselor?

Problem Solving

3.What would you do when a student tells you that he or she wants to drop out of school?

Customer Service

4.Can you share an experience when you went above and beyond to help a student?

Discovery

5.What makes you most passionate about being a school counselor?

Scenario Based

6.Describe a challenging experience while you were counseling a student. What did you do to overcome it?

Role-Specific

7.For you, what is the role of a school counselor?

Critical Thinking

8.How do you try to counsel students who are known to cause violence?

Discovery

9.What influenced you to be a school counselor?

Communication

10.How do you handle criticism?

Scenario Based

11.Can you share an experience when you had to work on a project with teachers? What was your role and how did your group go about the task?

Tough

12.What steps would you take if a student told you he or she was being abused?

Tough

13.What would you do if a student tells you that they want to end their life?

Discovery

14.What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to improve it?

Compatibility

15.What is your greatest strength?

Role-Specific

16.What is the role of the school counselor in relation to teachers, parents, and administrators?

Discovery

17.Why did you choose a career as a counselor?

Operational

18.How would you divide your time between meeting the immediate needs of the students and keeping up with the paperwork?

Stress

19.What do you do to relieve stress?

Conflict

20.How would you handle an irate parent?

Diversity

21.How would you explain cultural differences to students?

Competency

22.What is the difference between a therapist and a school counselor?

Organizational

23.How do you keep yourself organized?

Career Goals

24.Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Experience

25.What experiences have you had that make you feel capable of being a counselor?

Critical Thinking

26.What would you do if a student told you they were touched inappropriately by a teacher?

Capability

27.As a counselor, how would you use your role to prevent violence in school?

Discovery

28.Who is your role model? Why do you look up to this person?

Situational

29.Can you walk us through a time when a case you handled failed? If you would be given the chance to redo it, what would you do differently?

Experience

30.What experiences have you had in working with special education students?

Direct

31.Why should we hire you?

Role-Specific

32.How do you manage your time?

Experience

33.What is your experience with parenting programs?

Competency

34.What is the difference between Counseling and Coaching?

Situational

35.You witnessed a bullying incident. How will you address the situation?

Discovery

36.How would your role as a school counselor support this school's mission?

Tough

37.How do you think our school could improve?

Direct

38.What is your counseling philosophy?

Compatibility

39.What is your favorite age group to work with and why?

Role-Specific

School Counselor Mock Interview

Why did you choose to apply in our school?

40School Counselor Interview Questions & Answers

1.Why did you choose to apply in our school?

2.Why would you make a great school counselor?

3.What would you do when a student tells you that he or she wants to drop out of school?

4.Can you share an experience when you went above and beyond to help a student?

5.What makes you most passionate about being a school counselor?

6.Describe a challenging experience while you were counseling a student. What did you do to overcome it?

7.For you, what is the role of a school counselor?

8.How do you try to counsel students who are known to cause violence?

9.What influenced you to be a school counselor?

10.How do you handle criticism?

11.Can you share an experience when you had to work on a project with teachers? What was your role and how did your group go about the task?

12.What steps would you take if a student told you he or she was being abused?

13.What would you do if a student tells you that they want to end their life?

14.What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to improve it?

15.What is your greatest strength?

16.What is the role of the school counselor in relation to teachers, parents, and administrators?

17.Why did you choose a career as a counselor?

18.How would you divide your time between meeting the immediate needs of the students and keeping up with the paperwork?

19.What do you do to relieve stress?

20.How would you handle an irate parent?

21.How would you explain cultural differences to students?

22.What is the difference between a therapist and a school counselor?

23.How do you keep yourself organized?

24.Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

25.What experiences have you had that make you feel capable of being a counselor?

26.What would you do if a student told you they were touched inappropriately by a teacher?

27.As a counselor, how would you use your role to prevent violence in school?

28.Who is your role model? Why do you look up to this person?

29.Can you walk us through a time when a case you handled failed? If you would be given the chance to redo it, what would you do differently?

30.What experiences have you had in working with special education students?

31.Why should we hire you?

32.How do you manage your time?

33.What is your experience with parenting programs?

34.What is the difference between Counseling and Coaching?

35.You witnessed a bullying incident. How will you address the situation?

36.How would your role as a school counselor support this school's mission?

37.How do you think our school could improve?

38.What is your counseling philosophy?

39.What is your favorite age group to work with and why?

40.How do you advocate for students?