Tell me about your leadership experience and how it has prepared you to guide at-risk youth.
The interviewer would like a high-level overview of your exposure to leadership responsibilities, and how these experiences have prepared you to excel in their role. When you respond, focus primarily on the hard and soft skills that you have gained from your leadership experiences, whether formal or informal.
Overall, the hiring authority wants to hear that you are confident in a leadership role and that you will be able to serve as a source of support and guidance for others.
"I have over ten years of experience working in leadership, first, as a Youth Program Manager and then as the leader of an at-risk youth drop-in center. My leadership experiences have prepared me to guide at-risk youth by training me to react and respond in a variety of circumstances with wisdom and professionalism. I am well-equipped to handle emergencies and can quickly assess what is required of me in challenging situations. As a leader, I have further learned the importance of treating people with respect and keeping an open mind. I have also learned to be more compassionate, understand when to be compassionate, and then differentiate when I need to be more authoritative. My vast leadership experiences have improved my reaction time in difficult situations and made me more efficient. Overall, I have learned that a good leader in any social work sector will stay calm, focused, on task, and can understand the importance of boundaries."
"I was a camp youth leader in the summers of my junior and senior year of highschool, and as a camp counselor throughout my summers while in college. I feel like the experience I obtained then would translate well, and I feel confident I am well prepared for this role."
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
At ________, I was responsible for leading projects for children and adults with disabilities; at _________, I led groups in an outdoor setting while at __________ I lead young people on an Attendance and Behaviour Project. These roles have instilled within me the skills to lead a group and be confident in that capacity. It has also taught me the importance of remaining calm and regularly checking in with people to see how they are doing. In all the roles, I have also been confident in seeking out support when required.
Rachelle's Feedback
It sounds as though you have a lot of experience working with diverse groups, which is great! At the end of your response, I recommend adding a qualifying statement connecting your past experiences to your potential success in this new opportunity.
Anonymous Answer
As my experience working with youth was in a volunteering sense, I lack leadership knowledge, however, I am extremely eager to learn the skills that it takes to work with at-risk youth. To gain a more in-depth understanding of how to create relationships, observe behavior and create action plans for youth. Help them realize their potential and create goals for their future
Marcie's Feedback
Good answer; however, it would be best to change your first sentence so it starts off on a more positive note. Even though you've only volunteered with youth to date, that doesn't necessarily mean that none of your experience was leadership-related. Did you lead youth or coworkers in any sense while you were volunteering? If not, think back on the rest of your career, volunteer experience, and academic background. Has there ever been a time when you were the person who made an important decision for others or who was in charge? If so, definitely talk about this. Any leadership experience counts, no matter when or how you got it. Once you're able to discuss some leadership experience or skills that you have, then you want to continue with your current answer and explain that you are eager to learn more.
Anonymous Answer
I was a youth mentor for a year and six months and also ran first-year psychology tutorials, which enabled me to learn how to work with young people, identify their needs, gain trust and build rapport, and guide them through difficult situations. In regards to being a youth mentor, specifically, I learned how to deal with challenging behaviors and work well with young children. In regards to running the psychology tutorials, I learned how to teach people in an interesting and collaborative way, as well as identify the different needs of each student and accommodate for those as best as possible.
Stephanie's Feedback
You do a wonderful job of highlighting your leadership experience here. All this response needs is a quick closing sentence, such as "These experiences have well prepared me to guide at-risk youth."
Anonymous Answer
I have gathered and learned an extensive knowledge and understanding of working with children and young people who are classed as at-risk, from past roles I have experience in leading a team of careers to support a young person or child in care, having a child-centered approach to make sure all of their needs are being met. I have dealt with safeguarding concerns, accusations, and supervised family visits, making sure the young person or child's safety is always put first.
Marcie's Feedback
Great! Can you explain more what those past roles were and what they entailed? Can you also include a sentence or two that allows your passion for helping at-risk youth to shine through? Why do you deal with the challenges that at-risk kids present? What do you love about it?
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