25 Wildlife Biologist Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Wildlife Biologist 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. What do you like the least about being a Wildlife Biologist?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to determine your boundaries. It is important to demonstrate you can manage anything that comes your way, despite sometimes disliking or not looking forward to some of the duties.
Always review the job posting before the interview and keep it closeby at the time of the interview. Provide example of duties you do not particularly look forward to on the job posting, and how you will nevertheless be able to complete such duties. Provide an example of the successful performance of a duty in a previous position, if you have any, to demonstrate you already have the required experience for this role.
Answer Example
"One duty I do not particularly look forward to is (X duty on the job posting/any other duty you do not particularly look forward to in this line of work, relevant to the position you applied for), because when working as a/an (X position title) for (X company), I (X similar duty successfully performed despite not particularly enjoying it and what has contributed to your success). Any position entails duties one isn't particularly excited about, but this does not affect my performance and desire to get things done professionally and in a timely fashion."
2. Tell me about your communication skills.
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer about your communication skills and provide a few strategies to improve the communication channels within a team. The emphasis should be on human contact, meeting fave-to-face as opposed to exchanging endless emails or using other impersonal mediums.
Answer Example
"I pride myself on my excellent communication skills. For instance, to improve the communication channels within a team, I do my best to meet with colleagues and superiors in person to talk about given projects as opposed to exchanging back-and-forth emails to ensure the exchange of a clear message - as communication can easily be distorted in an email. An in-person meeting also enables the sharing of ideas and promotes true human interactions. However, if I absolutely have to communicate via email, I will do so and then follow up over the phone or in-person to ensure that the recipient understands my message and that we really are on the same page - and that we won't have to start all over again."
3. What are your career goals?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer about your career goals in seven to ten years from now. Ensure to link your career goals to the company you are applying for to demonstrate you can be a long-term asset for the company and that you are looking for stability.
Answer Example
"In seven to ten years from now, for instance, I would like to have grown within the same company I started off with, having acquired skills enabling me to establish myself as an expert. For instance, I would love to be responsible for more managerial duties and ultimately lead a team of professionals."
4. How do you prioritize your work?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer about your organizational and time management skills in a work environment by providing an example of your capabilities.
Answer Example
"I believe excellent organizational skills are essential to successfully perform in a work environment. To prioritize, I believe in taking a strategic approach by anticipating, and keeping track of, all upcoming calls, meetings, and deadlines. I use lists to keep track of upcoming - including urgent - duties and a calendar to keep track of all upcoming events."
5. What is your favorite animal?
How to Answer
Review the job posting and company website/social media pages before the interview to familiarize yourself with the animals you will be working with as a Wildlife Biologist, or animals the company has or will soon be working with. This is a way to show the interviewer you did your due diligence before the interview and that you are serious about this employer.
Ensure to answer by providing an animal preferably listed on the posting or company website/social media pages, including your own experience with this particular animal in similar roles, if you have any. Also add the reasons why this is a favorite animal of yours. Alternatively simply mention why one of the animals listed on the job posting or company website/social media pages is an animal you look forward to working with the most.
Answer Example
"My favorite animal is (X animal listed on the job posting) because (X reasons why you love that animal so much). For instance, in my last position as (X position title) for (X company), I (X detailed information regarding your experience with such an animal, included some of the duties performed as per the job posting to demonstrate you already have the required experience for this role)."
6. Tell me about your education, and how it has prepared you for a career as a Wildlife Biologist?
How to Answer
Ensure to review the job posting before the interview to familiarize yourself with the educational requirements for this role.
Answer this question by mentioning your degrees and certifications that you have, by putting emphasis on those that are relevant to the position you applied for. Should you hold one or several of the preferred educational
qualifications listed on the job posting, tell the interviewer you directly meet the educational qualifications, making you a great candidate for this role - and this is an opportunity for the interviewer to see you did your due diligence before the interview. Alternatively, tell the interviewer why you believe your education has prepared you for this role.
Answer Example
"I read on your job posting that one of your preferred educational qualifications is a bachelor's degree. As you can see on my resume, I hold a Bachelor's degree in (X) from (X university), granted in (X year). I also have a Project Management Certificate, which I am positive will be highly beneficial in this role as I have developed the required skills throughout my studies."
7. Tell me about one of the achievements you are the most proud of.
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer one achievement you are the most proud of, preferably in a professional capacity and related to the position/company you are applying for. Alternatively, provide any achievement in another professional capacity, in a volunteer capacity, or in a university setting.
Answer Example
"The achievement I am the most proud of is managing a project involving numerous animals on a very tight deadline (... detailed information pertaining to this project, such as the company name, and so on). As a result, I developed strong time management skills that will undoubtedly enable me to thrive in this role."
8. Where do you see yourself in five years, or where would you like to be?
How to Answer
Answer by telling the interviewer about your short-term goals, however by ensuring your goals are related to the position and company you applied for.
Should your short-term goals significantly differ from the position or company, the interviewer may assume you will leave eventually the position if hired, for a better opportunity at another company, should one presents itself. As a result, you may be instantly disqualified.
Answer Example
"In five years from now, I would like to have grown within the company and having established myself as an expert expert in my field. I hope to eventually move up the ladder and wish to commit to my employer and contribute to the company's success."
9. How do you handle stress and pressure?
How to Answer
Employers are looking for individuals who can perform under stress and pressure. As such, tell the interviewer you always remain calm, professional and productive under stress and when faced with numerous deadlines.
For instance: "I thrive under pressure and stress serves as a motivation for me to perform to the best of my abilities. I am even more focused and determined to complete each task in a timely fashion."
Answer Example
"I thrive under pressure and stress serves as a motivation for me to perform to the best of my abilities. I am even more focused and determined to complete each task in a timely fashion."
10. What is your greatest weakness, and what are you doing to improve it?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer what your greatest weakness is, however by ensuring that this weakness can nevertheless be a strength in this position.
Answer Example
"I am a very hard-worker and find hard to stop working at the end of the day, resulting in numerous long days at the office. To improve in that area, I do lists every morning by prioritizing the work that needs to be done by the end of the day, and the following tasks that are not as urgent. Doing this significantly improves my time management skills and makes me more focused and productive at work."
11. What is your greatest strength, and how will it help you as a Wildlife Biologist?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer your greatest strength(s) which you believe will help you be successful in this role.
Answer Example
"My greatest strength is that I thrive on challenges, and I also do not hesitate to work long hours to get the job done. I also have strong time management and organizational skills which will absolutely benefit me in this role."
12. Why are you the best candidate for us?
How to Answer
Ensure to review the job posting before the interview to familiarize yourself with the duties involved and the qualifications required from the successful incumbent.
Answer this question by emphasizing your educational qualifications, experience and personality traits, which provide evidence of your suitability for this role.
Answer Example
"You should hire me because I have the right educational and professional qualifications that you require, as well as the right personality traits. I am a hardworking professional, a team player and have excellent relationship building skills."
13. What do you know about our organization?
How to Answer
It is imperative to always conduct your due diligence before an interview by reviewing the job description, company website and social media pages to familiarize yourself with the company and work involved.
Tell the interviewer about your knowledge of the company you applied for. It is also important to demonstrate you did not apply to the advertised position simply because you are looking for just any job, but that you wish to work for this company specifically.
Answer Example
"I reviewed the job description and website before this interview and know you are a company specializing in (X programs/services you noticed on the company website). I am particularly excited about (X programs/initiatives) that I saw on your (website/social media pages) as I (X reasons you are excited about these programs/initiatives, such as passion or similar initiatives undertaken in school or volunteer capacity)."
14. Describe a difficult project and how you overcame it?
How to Answer
Answer this question by providing an example of your ability to overcome challenges and to remain able to perform your duties professionally and successfully. This can be a challenge/project in a professional or volunteer capacity, or alternatively in a university setting.
Answer Example
"A difficult project I have had to overcome was when working as a/an (X position title) for (X company). I was responsible for (X duties) and one day I (X further information regarding this difficult project). I nevertheless remained calm, collected and professional and did not let the difficulty affect my performance."
15. What do you like most about being a Wildlife Biologist?
How to Answer
Always review the job posting before the interview to familiarize with the work involved and keep it closeby at the time of the interview.
Provide examples of duties you like the most or particularly look forward to on the job posting, and how you will be able to successfully complete such duties. Provide example of the successful performance of these duties in a previous position, if you have any, to demonstrate you already have the required experience for this role.
Answer Example
"One duty I like/look forward to the most is (X duty on the job posting/any other duty you particularly look forward to/like the most in this line of work, relevant to the position you applied for), because when working as a/an (X position title) for (X company), I (X similar duty successfully performed and what has contributed to your success)."
16. How do you keep track of your work so that all duties are completed within given timelines?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer about your organizational and time management skills in a work environment by providing an example of your capabilities.
Answer Example
"I believe excellent organizational skills are essential to successfully perform in a work environment and meet deadlines. For example, in my last position I used a strategic approach by anticipating, and keeping track of, all upcoming deadlines. I used lists to keep track of upcoming duties and a calendar to keep track of upcoming events. I also kept a record of all documentation pertaining to each of these duties, which I updated on a regular basis, to ensure the most up-to-date information was easily accessible, enabling me to be prepared should unanticipated events occur."
17. Tell me about a time when you influenced the outcome of a project by taking a leadership role.
How to Answer
Always review the job posting before the interview to familiarize yourself with the duties involved. If the interviewer asks such a question, it is likely that the position entails leadership duties - current or future - which will most likely already be outlined on the job posting. As such, he/she will assume you applied to this role upon having adequately read the job posting, and that you have an interest in leadership/team management and/or some sort of leadership/team management experience.
Tell the interviewer about your leadership or team management experience, should you have any, in a professional, volunteer, or educational capacity (alternatively). Should you have none, mention that you are more than willing to gain leadership skills and would love to take on a leadership role - and why you would be a great leader able to influence the outcome of any project.
Provide an example of a situation when you influenced the outcome of a project as a result of your leadership skills, preferably related to the position/industry you applied for. If you cannot do so, provide any example by telling the interviewer you are positive your skills acquired in a previous position will easily be transferable.
Answer Example
"I lead a team of individuals when working as (X position title) for (X organization). In this role, I was responsible for (X number of professionals) and (X further related duties, relevant to the job posting). As a result of my leadership and team management skills, we were able to complete the projects ahead of the deadlines and my employer proved highly satisfied."
18. Provide an example of a situation where you experienced difficulties with a team member.
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer about your conflict resolution skills and your ability to remain professional and respectful in all situations regardless of the conflicts.
Answer Example
"When working as a/an (X position title) for (X company), (... X example of a conflicting situation with a team member). To resolve the situation in a timely fashion, I (... what you did to revolve the situation). I remained respectful and professional and ensured that my team member had a chance to be heard (...). In the end, (X further information re: successful resolution)."
19. What have you done to further your own professional development in the past five years?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to ensure you keep yourself updated of changes in the industry to remain current, highly knowledgeable and at the top of your field.
Answer Example
"To further my professional development and remain at the top of my field, I follow [X organizations] on social media, subscribe to [X newsletters/publications/magazines] and attend conferences and seminars, such as [X]. I also enrol in continuing education courses."
20. Give an example of a time when you made a mistake because you did not adequately listen to what someone had to say.
How to Answer
Answer this question by providing an example of a situation when you, e.g., misunderstood what a team member had told you. Mention what contributed to the miscommunication and how you found a successful resolution to this problem while ensuring to nevertheless complete the task at hand in a timely fashion.
Answer Example
"When working for (X company) as a/an (X position title), we had to complete a project (... what happened in this project which resulted in X mistake on your end). I soon realized this was due to miscommunication as I did not adequately understand my colleague's points she had communicated via email - and I should have instead requested an in-person meeting or a phone call as soon as possible as I had doubts about what needed to be done next. To resolve the situation, I (... what you did to resolve the situation and successfully complete the project in a timely fashion, and what was the final outcome)."
21. Tell me how you contribute to a positive team environment by improving the relationships between team members.
How to Answer
Ensure to review the job posting before the interview to familiarize yourself with the work involved. At the time of the interview, you should know whether this position entails mostly independent or team work. As such, should the position entails mostly team work, you should answer this question by emphasizing your love of team work and enjoying sharing/brainstorming ideas with team members.
Should you not answer adequately as per the duties involved, you may be automatically disqualified - for instance, if you answer you prefer independent work and dislike team work when applying for a position that mostly entails team related duties. Not only will this show you are unsuitable for this position as you did not do your due diligence beforehand (as you did not read the job posting before applying for the position nor before the interview), but the interviewer may also believe you are simply looking for any job without being serious about working for this company particularly.
Answer Example
"I absolutely love team work and I pride myself on my team playing skills. I sincerely enjoy working with others and sharing ideas so as to come up with creative solutions and work toward a common goal. To contribute to a positive team environment, I (... X a situation when you, for instance, sought team members ideas in a project or promoted more effective communication channels so that each team member feels his/her voice is heard), while employed for (X company) as (X position title)."
22. Describe a situation where people who you were working with did not agree with your ideas. What did you do?
How to Answer
Answer this question by providing examples of your ability to remain calm, collected and professional at all times, notwithstanding frustrating situations you may encounter. Furthermore, provide an example of a situation reflecting your ability to handle criticism.
If such a situation never happened to you, or if you do not recall such a situation, tell the interviewer how you would hypothetically handle such a situation.
Answer Example
"I do not recall such a situation. However, should one occur, I would remain calm and professional, and would do my best to follow up with the respective parties so as to obtain feedback in a timely fashion. I always welcome constructive criticism as it enables me to better myself and improve my work. I am also more than willing to adjust my approach/work if necessary."
23. What motivates you as a Wildlife Biologist?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer about your passion for this career, what motivates you to be the best in your field, and what you look forward to the most in this position.
Review the job posting before your interview to familiarize yourself with the duties involved, and mention one or many duties that you look the most forward to (related to your motivation), and why. This will show the interviewer that you are passionate about your work and that you also did your due diligence before your interview.
Answer Example
"What motivates me the most in my career is becoming the best in my field. Also, for instance with this position, what motivates me the most is the opportunity to learn about about a variety of animals and discover exciting new ones."
24. What made you choose a career as a Wildlife Biologist?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer the reasons why you decided to become a Wildlife Biologist or whether this career is or was the logical step in your career by emphasizing some of your strengths that will benefit you in this particular role.
Answer Example
"I have a passion for animals and biology (...). I furthermore believe that my my educational qualifications related to this field and the courses taken in my studies have contributed to my desire to pursue this career, ensuring that I will thrive in this role."
25. How do you relate to our company and our company culture?
How to Answer
Always review the job posting and company website/social media pages before an interview to familiarize yourself with the company.
Answer this question by mentioning something you read on the job posting or website re: company culture, and provide a reason as to why this is the right environment for you and how much of an asset you will be for them.
Answer Example
"I saw on the job posting that you pride yourself on your family-oriented work environment. This is my ideal company culture as I am a team player who loves collaborative environments and working toward common goals."