26 Swim Instructor Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Swim Instructor interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
1. How long have you been swimming?
How to Answer
Having strong swim skills and a lot of experience in the activity is important as an instructor. Tell the hiring manager more about your experience in swimming.
Answer Example
"I started taking formal swimming lessons at the very young age of 3. I have been in lessons and then lifeguard training ever since. Also, I have experience as a competitive swimmer having training on the national team for 5 years."
2. Tell me about how and when you learned your basic swim skills, and why you are confident in your ability to teach those skills to new swimmers.
How to Answer
Talk to the hiring manager a bit about your journey in becoming a swim instructor and how you feel your path can help others to achieve what you have.
Answer Example
"I learned my basic swim skills through regular swimming lessons at my community pool when I was a kid. I remember having caring and patient instructors who always cheered me on. Building a foundation like that with young swimmers is really important. Because I had such a positive experience at such a young age, I want all new swimmers to experience that. I'll do whatever it takes to make that happen."
3. When have you worked with children before? What do you enjoy about working with children the most?
How to Answer
Being able to work with children is a strong skill set to have. Talk about your experience in working with children and what drives you to continue to do a great job.
Answer Example
"I have worked with children my entire career. The majority of my swim classes have been with children. In addition to this experience, I have also taught elementary classes. The best part of working with children is seeing the pure joy they experience when they master a new task. I love encouraging them and helping them succeed!"
4. Are you comfortable teaching lessons to all ages, and ability levels?
How to Answer
Tell the hiring manager more about your experience in teaching a wide variety of students. Expand on your resume and talk about how your diversity will benefit their organization should they hire you.
Answer Example
"I am very comfortable with teaching all levels and abilities. I can teach adults, children and individuals with disabilities as well."
5. Tell me about a few water safety lessons you would teach.
How to Answer
Talk to the hiring manager about some of your pre-planned lessons and walk them through a lesson plan. Bonus points if you can bring a sample lesson plan with you to the interview.
Answer Example
"My favourite water safety lesson includes a game for the kids that makes safety really fun for them. I play a role where I am swimming and they have to yell out loud 'yes or no', whether they approve of my behaviour. By allowing them to feel like they are teaching me, I find that the kids absorb the lesson better."
6. How would you handle a student that was acting inappropriately?
How to Answer
Difficult students and inappropriate behaviour will happen from time to time. Talk to the hiring manager about your method for handling challenging students.
Answer Example
"I am accustomed to working with difficult students every now and then. I manage them by first addressing the group and talking about expectations for behaviour. If the poor behaviour continues, I then pull the student aside and talk with them about how we can change their behaviour. Making a plan with the student generally works well."
7. When have you taught swim lessons, or any kind of lesson, before?
How to Answer
Talk to the hiring manager about your experience in teaching lessons. Show them how this ties into what they are looking for in their new hire.
Answer Example
"I have taught swimming lessons for the past 5 years. My experience includes teaching lessons to kids and adults. I have taught one on one as well as group lessons. I understand that you are looking for someone with experience in a wide range of situations. I definitely bring that asset."
8. Tell me about yourself.
How to Answer
Tell the hiring manager something important and memorable about yourself that they may not know by reading your resume. Keep it related to the job.
Written by Audra Kresinske on April 2nd, 2021
Answer Example
"In addition to being a swim instructor, I am also a teachers' assistant. I dedicate a lot of my time to working with kids. I enjoy being with young kids and watching them learn and grow. I have a very positive and warm demeanor, and kids respond well to me. I care deeply about the success of all kids and enjoy building relationships with each of them. I am reliable, responsible, and a strong communicator. In my free time, I like to swim to stay in shape and cook for my family. I'm really looking forward to this new opportunity to do what I love."
Written by Audra Kresinske on April 2nd, 2021
9. What qualifies you for this job?
How to Answer
The hiring manager would like to know, in your opinion, why you feel you are a fit for this position. List a couple of reasons why you think you are a fit and be sure to tie these reasons into the original needs listed in their job posting. Complete your answer by asking the interviewer if there are any qualifications they feel you don't have. This will help you to overcome any objections.
Answer Example
"I feel I bring all of the required qualifications for this job, including the Level 2 instructors' certificate. I have my Level 4 and in addition to that, I am also highly skilled in teaching large groups of children. Is there any reason why you feel I wouldn't be a fit for this role?"
10. How do you practice safety on the job?
How to Answer
Talk to the hiring manager about your safety training, and what you do to ensure safety on the job.
Answer Example
"I am highly trained in safety and have taken all of the required courses and certifications for this position. In addition to my formal qualifications, I also ensure safety by following protocol, keeping keen attention during my classes and training my students on best safety practices before the class begins."
11. Are you a patient person?
How to Answer
Being a patient person is an important quality to have as a swim instructor. Give the hiring manager an example of a time when you had to be patient.
Answer Example
"I do consider myself a patient person. In my career as a swim instructor I have taught many challenging groups and personalities. Working with large groups of children has helped me to exercise a greater level of patience than the average individual."
12. Do you like working with kids?
How to Answer
Much of your time as a swim instructor will include working with children so it's best if you can express to the hiring manager that this is an aspect of the job that you enjoy.
Answer Example
"I really do enjoy working with children. I have worked with groups of kids for many years. The part that I enjoy the most is seeing the joy on their faces when they learn that they can swim! It's so wonderful and rewarding."
13. How do you deal with unsatisfied parents?
How to Answer
When it comes to parent satisfaction it is important to know how to handle difficult conversations from time to time. Tell the hiring manager more about your ability to handle those types of conversations.
Answer Example
"I have rarely had an unsatisfied parent but I do recall one particular time when a parent was not satisfied with their child's progress. I talked to the parent to understand what the expectations were, versus what actually happened. In the end, the parent was happy that I put the safety of their child first rather than pass them out of obligation."
14. Why do you want a career as a Swim Instructor?
How to Answer
Consider what is appealing to you about being a swim instructor. Talk a bit about what drives you to do a good job.
Written by Audra Kresinske on April 2nd, 2021
Answer Example
"I have always had an interest in the water, even as a child, I would help my siblings learn how to swim. Being a strong swimmer is one of the most important life skills, and it's so vital to start at a young age. I am really happy to be able to facilitate that knowledge and teach people how to be confident in the water."
Written by Audra Kresinske on April 2nd, 2021
15. Do you have experience working with children?
How to Answer
Tell the hiring manager, in detail, the type of experience you have working with children.
Answer Example
"I have about 9 years total working with children. This includes teaching group and individual swim classes. Also, I have experience as a teachers' assistant at a local elementary school."
16. How do you handle stressful situations?
How to Answer
Stressful situations will happen in any occupation. Be sure to walk the hiring manager through a relatable experience and talk about how you overcame the situation. You can also talk about a time that you were complimented or recognized by a supervisor or co-worker on your ability to manage stress in a productive way.
Answer Example
"I am very good at managing stressful situations. I have experienced stress on the job many times but one particular experience was just last week when I had a child, untrained, jump into the deep end of the pool without a lifejacket. He wasn't trained and it was certain that he was in over his head. The parents were watching which added a lot of stress to the situation. I was able to get my class to jump out of the pool while I tended to the child. In the end, he was okay. It was very intense."
17. If hired, how long do you plan on working here?
How to Answer
Are you interested in being a swim instructor for the long term? Talk about your goals and how they fit into a long term opportunity with this organization.
Answer Example
"I am interested in being a swim instructor for the long term. This facility offers strong advancement opportunities for me in my career and I would be happy to stay as long as I can."
18. How would your former employer describe you?
How to Answer
When you answer this question be sure to talk about facts, rather than speculation. Tell the hiring manager that you would like to put these qualities to work for them!
Answer Example
"My former employer has spoken very highly of me in my previous performance reviews. I've been described as reliable, a hard worker and a strong team player. These are all qualities that I would love to bring to your organization."
19. Do you know how to perform CPR/first aid?
How to Answer
Be sure to know what the requirements are for CPR and first aid training in this particular role/facility. Ensure the hiring manager that you are more than qualified when it comes to first aid.
Answer Example
"I am Level 2 certified CPR and First Aid trained. I have also had the opportunity to co-teach a first aid course. Safety is my primary concern and I feel well equipped to manage a variety of emergency situations."
20. What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to improve it?
How to Answer
Everyone needs improvement in some area. Talk a bit about what aspect you feel you could work on. You can use an example of a time that a former supervisor suggested improvement in some area.
Answer Example
"In my most current position my supervisor recommended that I take additional coursework in adult education. Because I have spent so much time educating children I have lost a bit of my touch when it comes to teaching groups of adults. I have enrolled in an additional course on adult education which starts next month."
21. What is your greatest strength? How does it help you as a Swim Instructor?
How to Answer
Talk about your greatest strength and tie your answer in to how you feel it will help you to be successful in this role.
Answer Example
"My greatest strength is my ability to teach large groups of people at a time. I am able to make an impact on each student in a way that they leave their lesson feeling as though they received one on one training. This helps me to make a bigger impact on each student while best utilizing the limited time given to me, each class."
22. Why are you the best candidate for us?
How to Answer
Talk about your credentials and why you are a personality fit for the organization as well. Be sure to talk about a skill that could really set you apart from the other candidates.
Answer Example
"I feel that I am the best candidate, not only because I have all of the experience that you are looking for, but also because I have gone over and above the required education. I recently completed my level 4 instructors' course. In addition to this I also speak two languages so I am able to assist students in both English and Spanish."
23. Tell me about your swimming skills.
How to Answer
Talk a bit about your experience, training and greatest areas of strength when it comes to swimming.
Answer Example
"I am an extremely strong swimmer. I have been swimming since I could walk. I am a professionally trained lifeguard and have competed competitively. All of these skills would make me a great fit for your position."
24. As a Swim Instructor, what do you believe is your best asset?
How to Answer
Talk a bit about some of your strengths and then focus on one particular area that you feel you are especially talented in. You can also support your answer with an example of a time when you have been complimented by a supervisor or student.
Answer Example
"I believe that my best asset as a swim instructor is my patience and ability to engage a group of students, no matter their age. In my last position I was often recognized by the parents of my students for my ability to keep the entire class on task and engaged. I do this by keeping the class exciting with a lot of variety and maintaining a really positive attitude."
25. What do you know about our organization?
How to Answer
The level of research that you have done before your interview is a good gauge on your level of interest in the position. Talk about what you like most about the organization and how you think you will fit in, if given the opportunity.
Answer Example
"I have researched your organization and found that you offer many different programs, for all ages and levels. Your facility is the top 3 in the city and your reputation is really great. I feel that your organizations' customer service and safety goals align really nicely with what I am looking for."
26. Why should we hire you?
How to Answer
Talk about your credentials and why you are a personality fit for the organization. Be sure to talk about a skill that could really set you apart from the other candidates.
Answer Example
"I feel that you should hire me, not only because I have all of the experience that you are looking for, but also because I have gone over and above the required education. I recently completed my level 4 instructors' course. In addition to this I also speak two languages so I am able to assist students in both English and Spanish."