What ideas do you have to improve our youth programs?
Youth Workers are often responsible for guiding and facilitating participation-based programs, including prevention and intervention programs. These programs could be centered around health and fitness or supporting youth who may be at risk of gang involvement, drugs, or violence.
Before your interview, do your research and learn as much as you can about the organization and their needs when it comes to youth programming. You will want to know about the client demographic they serve and the types of programs that support those groups.
If you have facilitated group activities in the past, you can draw from that experience and talk about any relevant program experience. At the same time, remain aware that the interviewer probably does not want you to come in 'guns blazing' with a multitude of changes and recommendations. It's essential to take a humble approach based on observations.
"Before I entertain making any suggestions, I like to get fully oriented and earn the trust of my teams as a contributing member of the team. Otherwise, I might not fully be able to identify any opportunities for improvement. When I'd just entered the field, I tended to jump right into things and throw my ideas out there. My intentions were in the right place, but I ended up just annoying everyone and was regarded as a presumptuous 'know-it-all.' Now, having matured, I realize you have to ask questions and gain insights into the whole picture, and find the right time and place to present those ideas."
"I do have a lot of great ideas and love coordinating activities from group outings, games, art therapy, and using sports to build confidence. A lot of the suggestions I make are tested, tried and true, and have worked well for me in the past, and I'd want to offer these suggestions wherever I work next. But I prefer to build trust between myself and my colleagues before I volunteer them, just as I do with the clients that I work with."
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
Teaching English, contact sports and games, learn from the culture, language, and solve problems taking into consideration their culture and language. Plus deal with drugs and alcohol with the policy and procedures of the organization.
Rachelle's Feedback
It sounds like you have some nice ideas for youth programs. If you can, choose two or three ideas and then dive deeper into each idea and how you foresee them working.
Anonymous Answer
I would first try and understand the different programs. In my previous position as a youth mentor, I recommended group mentoring sessions, so that the young person would have another person of similar age that they can participate in activities with. This would help develop healthy social skills such as learning to cooperate and play with others and also potentially develop long-lasting friendships.
Stephanie's Feedback
This is a great start, but I suggest being more specific, as that shows that you've done your research on this organization and the programs that are already in place. What specific ideas do you have for improving the current youth programs that this organization has?
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