How to Answer: Have you ever made the decision to cut a program? What was the reason, and what was the result?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Social Service Manager job interview.
2. Have you ever made the decision to cut a program? What was the reason, and what was the result?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question addresses several overlapping skills you will need as a social service manager: budgeting experience, making decisions (especially ones with which others may disagree), providing a rationale for your decisions, and evaluating the outcomes. In particular, the interviewer may want to know what you considered when deciding to cut the program and any adversity you faced in implementing the cut.
Written by Shelley Story on January 19th, 2022
What NOT to Say
Don't say, "No, I never have." If you haven't had to cut a program, think of a similar decision you had to make where you prioritized one program's needs over another, perhaps, even if you did not have to cut a program. You could also talk about considerations to cut a program that ended up with a different solution, like reallocating funds from other budget lines.
Written by Shelley Story on January 19th, 2022
Answer Example
"Yes, I had to cut a program designed to assist homeless teens by providing access to a computer lab and technology instruction. The program required significant startup costs and oversight but did not serve enough kids to justify the expense. We eliminated that specific initiative but repurposed the computer lab to serve seniors, grade-school children, and teens at different times of the day."
Written by Shelley Story on January 19th, 2022