Do you work better on a team, or do you prefer to work on your own?

"Working on my own has its merits, allows more time to focus. I don't find doing paperwork and writing case reports as monotonous. For me, it's a time of reflection where I can sit down and collect my thoughts about a client and their situation. This independent report writing allows me time to create action plans for clients and to collect and get past any reservations that I have or may not have as I move forward with a client. When working in a team, I enjoy that supportive environment. Working on a team and brainstorming plans or developing improvements is an exciting way to feel supported and part of something bigger than myself."

As a Youth Worker, you will need to collaborate with your team when planning programs or managing clients. This teamwork requires you to be open and adaptive to working with others. However, while working independently, you will need to be able to manage your time and prioritize your tasks. When you respond, be sure to show a healthy balance between independent work and teamwork. Show that you understand there are benefits to each approach and express enthusiasm either way. The interviewer wants to see a team player who has a realistic view of the jobs' expectations.

"I'm adaptable and work well on a team or on my own, and I enjoy both for different reasons. We put ourselves in vulnerable positions every day as frontline workers, and we need to be able to rely on those around us to have our backs. At the same time, we also have to learn to trust our independent thinking. By varying our tasks, we are getting our hands dirty in every aspect of the job, sharpening out tools and our focus, and breaking up our tasks accordingly, which helps prevent burning out on the job. I enjoy every aspect of what I do."

"I like to work as a team because to get help and input from each other to organize a program or event. I can also work independently when the team members are not available."

"I enjoy working on a team more than on my own, but I can also work on my own, which I have done for many years at university, as a youth mentor, and also at times during my retail experience. I enjoy working on a team more because I enjoy collaboration and people can bring different perspectives and ideas that can be useful. I do also enjoy the aspect of being able to focus more intensely when working alone."

"I am good at working on a team and on my own."

Who has had the most significant influence on you? What makes this person so influential?

"I have had the pleasure of working alongside many wonderful people. A few years ago, I worked for Agency ABC, and they had an amazing Office Administrator. She was incredibly organized and had the most positive attitude. She was a humble person, thankful for her life, and very kind. One day we sat and had our break together. She told me that she started at the agency as a client. She had been a runaway teen and had an incredible story of healing and redemption. Her story has always stayed with me because it is a story of hope. Because of stories like hers, I strive for excellence, I believe in people, and I know that there is hope for everyone. This hope is why I am so passionate about helping at-risk youth, and why I continually educate myself to be the best helper possible."

The type of outside influences that impact you will also affect your approach as a Youth Worker. The interviewer would like insight into your most significant mentor or life influencer. Your response could include a family member, an athletic coach, a professor, a well-known influencer, or even a stranger who left an imprint on you. Take the time to reflect on this influence. What was said or done to create a positive difference in your life? At the end of your response, be sure to mention how you will take this positive influence and leverage it to benefit the youth with whom you will be working.

When I was a camp counselor in my summers off from college, I mentored under the organizer of the camp, and I watched them in action. They had this ability to pierce through the armor of every kid in our camp and get them to open up and reach out. This person taught me early on that all one needs to do is look into someone from the very moment you meet them. Look into them, not at them, not through them, and lower your armor and allow them to look into you. Although it's intense, hold that connection, and the longer you hold it, and remain open, they'll know they can trust you and that you are a friend. They said it's like leaving your front door unlocked at night, and that anyone at any time can come into that safe space you've built. This person was magic, and I learned a lot from them, and have always strived to walk in their footsteps.

"My brother-in-law taught me that no setback is too severe, how powerful a little hard work and passion can be, and always to give back. He is a 33-year-old self-made multimillionaire. He started out struggling to pay his bills as a college drop-out with a criminal record, but with grit and choosing to follow his passion, he rose to the position of a project manager at a Fortune 100 company. He isn't just rich but has a loving heart, generously giving his time and money to lift others."

"Someone who has had a significant influence on me would be my mother. She was born in Egypt as a Muslim, and then decided to leave the religion, where she was met with all kinds of difficulties from the Government and her family, eventually forcing her to leave the country. She decided to come to Australia, leaving her family and her career as an art teacher behind, and worked as a cleaner, being unable to speak much English at all. She has been through two divorces, raised four kids on her own, survived cancer, and still runs a successful business."

"I met this person when I was working as an interpreter in my country. He is a pastor and a counselor. I interpreted his lectures and also one on one counseling. He is an English man but he has a lot of good understanding of Korean cultures. He was humble when he encounter clients and gave his full attention. Had great compassion and understanding. He was very gracious to other cultures. His attitude toward people imprinted my heart and provide guidance."

"This person would be my old youth football coach, he had semi-professional experience within his old playing career and he brought all of these professional skills and morals to our junior team. He always reinforced to us the importance of working hard in life as well as always striving to be the best of our capabilities. I always carry these morals with me now in my own life, staving to being a better person than I was yesterday."

What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to improve?

"My greatest weakness is emotionally taking my work home with me. I owe it to myself, and my family, to strive toward striking a healthy balance, and I am actively working on this. Some days are more challenging than others. But it t takes concerted practice and discipline to leave the emotions of this immersive career at work. I journal almost every day, and I talk to trusted leaders and experienced colleagues if I am struggling with a particular situation. However, I sometime wonder if this weakness will always be a work in progress for me."

No one enjoys talking about their weaknesses. It can feel uncomfortable and vulnerable to share aspects about yourself that you could improve. Rest assured, the interviewer understands that you have flaws - we all do! The most important thing to remember is that the hiring authority wants to see that you are self-aware and proactive when it comes to making positive changes. Discuss your weakness, and be sure to focus on what you're doing to improve. It is essential to wrap up your answer on a positive note.

"I am highly empathetic, compassionate, and care deeply about my clients. It's part of my job to care, so it's hard not get too emotionally involved. Of course, I set boundaries and stick to them, but this can make things harder sometimes. Especially when you're dealing with a young one whose story is particularly heartbreaking. It's hard not to internalize those moments On those days. To find a better balance of self-care, I'll take the long way home, or take public transit, to reflect on my day. I also use mindfulness apps and have completed online mindfulness training, which doubles as an asset for the youth with whom I work."

"My greatest weakness is my mental health. I have bipolar disorder. I've learned to radically accept my circumstances, and leave judgment, including self-judgment, at the door. Through seeking support and therapy, I have learned that a community can change an individual, and no one succeeds in a vacuum. I have to be humble, authentic, and persistent, making everyday count to stay in remission. Every day is a new day to choose health over illness."

"Some times I am overly analytical, which means that I can struggle to make quick decisions and take decisive action. I am aware that I do this, and I am taking steps to take decisive action whenever possible."

"I talk a lot and sometimes too much. I am very much an extravert and sometimes find myself dominating the conversation too much and have to consciously pull back. I am aware of this but it doesn't come naturally to me, pulling back has become a learned behavior and I usually have it under control but every now and then I have to keep it in check. I make sure to remind myself regularly to pull back if necessary and I pay more attention to other people in social conversations."

"My greatest weakness is not taking work emotions home with me. I do many things to help me out at home with trying to let go of it all but it takes time to learn that and be able to do that every day. I usually will watch a show, visit with my family, or do something creative such as coloring, journaling, painting, etc. Usually, I pick something that isn't too demanding physically because I am tired. This all seems to help me leave those emotions behind and start a new day when I get up to come back into work."

"I have recently become a Dad and at times I can miss being with my family, this is why I'm seeking new employment as my current role involves me working 24-hour shifts, which no longer helps me maintain a work-life balance which is important to me. I'm being proactive in my approach and seeking new employment which helps address my and my family's needs. However, I still understand the importance of employment and strive to find a new position in that I can use all my built-up knowledge and experience."

What are your greatest strengths? How will these strengths help you succeed as a Youth Worker?

"I'd say my strong suits are in my knowledge of medications and proper distribution and writing case reports, thanks to my training in privacy legislation. These skills both compliment each other, especially when accessing private medical records. Also, my education, earning a diploma in leadership and in Counselling, and my real-life experience in Youth Work, have granted me a unique blend of knowledge and experience with building healthy relationships and establishing clear communication with our clients."

This question presents an excellent opportunity for you to pitch yourself! Your greatest strengths are the top skills and traits that make you good at your job. Review the job description to see if the hiring organization has listed any specific qualities they want to see from their top candidates. For instance, being well educated, trustworthy, and adaptable are all strengths that may appear in the job description. Choose your top strengths and then talk about how you leverage these strengths to succeed in the workplace and persevere through relevant challenges. Be sure to link these strengths in a way that shows how you can positively impact the organization, should you be hired.

"I'd say three of my greatest strengths are in leading group therapy sessions, community outreach, and writing case reports. In 2018, I worked for ABC Health Care Group as a group therapist, and gained strengths in facilitating group therapy sessions and one-on-one therapy sessions. I was responsible for community outreach and keeping in contact with clients. I performed a lot of research and spent a great deal of time volunteering. This research and volunteer work helped me to see where my greatest passions were, and which career path would best suit me. Thanks to these experiences, I am now ready to shine in a role such as this."

"My greatest strength is being resilient. The ability to bounce back from bad experiences or thrive in spite of hard times is called resiliency. I take a break, go for a walk, think better, and bounce back to normal life."

"I am empathetic and understanding. This means young people feel listened to when they speak to me. My listen skills help them to understand that I care for them and hear what they are saying. I am able to stay calm under pressure, and this means that young people feel relaxed when they are around me. I also have a sense of fun and a sense of humor, which helps with relationship building. I have a passion for the outdoors and adventure and this comes through in my work with young people."

"I would say my greatest strength is that I am very mentally resilient. Because of this, I can remain calm even when something is going wrong. Negative events do not tend to break me emotionally, unless maybe in the extreme, but even then I recover very quickly. I think part of it is my personality, I am naturally a very stoic and resilient person. I am also very psychologically curious, so I ask a lot of questions and always want to know more, which allows me to engage more deeply with the work that I am doing."

"My greatest asset is being patient. Working with at-risk youth and children is never easy. A lot of defiant behaviors are seen, so having patients in times of crisis situations or defiant situations helps me lead the situations as calmly as possible and leave the youth feeling that someone cares. Another good asset I have for this job is my efficiency. I am able to get tasks done on time, carry out tasks that are asked of me by supervisors or coworkers."

How do you envision your career growth over the next 5 years?

"I currently have a diploma in counseling. I would like to further my education to include a degree in a related field. By continuing my education and working in tandem, I hope to gain the best of both worlds, ensuring stronger career growth with your agency now, in 5 years, and for the long-term. This blend of work and education appeals to me because I strive to gain on-the-job experience while also balancing this experience with education-based knowledge."

The interviewer wants to understand your most meaningful goals related to growing your career as a Youth Worker. Highlight your professional goals while expressing your long-term interest in the organization. If you are not clear on where you want to be in five years, your goals can be as simple as wishing to learn more about youth program management, facilitation, or the fact that you want to earn your way into a role with more responsibilities over time. Think about some of the steps you'll need to take to reach your career goals. Identify how this position will equip you to gain the skills and experience necessary to achieve these long-term goals.

"I feel as if I have come a long way in my career, achieving many of the career goals and milestones I set out to accomplish, which has allowed me to apply for this role with confidence. Over the coming years, I envision myself continuing working as a frontline field worker with high-risk youth while continuing towards a leadership role, and growing within a company like yours, with like-minded values and an aligned approach towards this good work that we do."

"I would like to improve the management of youth programs of the organization and want to achieve a goal to work better as a worker."

"I intend to continue with my counseling studies to earn a diploma. I believe this would equip me with more skills to work with young people on a one-to-one basis. It will also benefit the organization in the future. I also hope to develop my outdoor skills and try to achieve the CWA and Mountain Leader awards. In addition, I'd like to develop qualifications in paddlesports."

"In the next five years, I hope that I am still working with youth and that I have developed myself professionally by completing the Cert IV in Youth Work, and also finishing my University studies. I hope to be experienced as a Youth Worker and strive to achieve the best position that I can."

How do you go about fostering healthy communication and social skills?

"I have a good education, I have a diploma in Counselling, and a great deal of on-the-job training, and exposure working with talented people. This encouraged a lot of self-reflection. I learned in school how to conduct myself with clients. I have learned how to communicate openly and with healthy boundaries."

As a Youth Worker, you are a leader and influencer of healthy communication and social skills. Often, the youth with whom you work will have limited positive mentors, and so it's up to you to provide a positive example. Your interactions with the youth will set a critical standard. A leader and influencer in communication, you need to choose your words wisely and be mindful of your own personal and professional growth in the area of communication. Take the time to discuss your approach when it comes to improving your communication style. The interviewer wants to feel confident that you will serve as an excellent example for the youth in their program.

"It has taken practice and study to hone my communication and social skills. Having an openness with colleagues and the people I respect taught me how to conduct myself in different situations. I found valuable and engaging mentor in the field of my youth and social work, and gained many valuable communication tools from them. They were instrumental in steering my communication approach, and our conversations taught me healthy non0-defensive communication and social skills, including active listening, taking an empathetic approach, mirroring, and adapting."

"By showing respect and communicating clearly. I also find that asking people more experienced than I am can help guide me in the right direction. There may be times where I am unsure on which approach to take, so I would ask someone more experienced than me, or maybe a few people, and then go from there. I learned from three years in customer service different approaches to take depending on the attitudes and personalities of the customers, to ensure that I can offer the best service and remain respectful."

"Lead by example, do things politely and communicate clearly and slowly with youth and understand things from their background. It differs from person to person in communication."

"I think I grow healthy communication and social skills by observing and interacting with those who are excellent in this area. For example, I learned many ways from my last supervisor at my practicum site. Though people say communication is a skill but I learned from her it is an attitude to believe in co-workers and respect their choices. Moreover, she taught me to welcome others at first encountering them so that people can be more open to communicating. I believe that it is important social skills.Another way to grow is by writing a reflective journal in order to evaluate relationships with young persons and other close relationships. It helps me to think through and plan for the next meeting."

"I give my time to find mutual interest and understanding between myself and others, I use proactive listening to hear what people are communicating to me and then relay this information back to them to show that I'm paying that person my full attention. I take time out of my day to check in on others, to see how their coping with life and also offer any help or assistance if I can."

What age-appropriate activities have you led in the past?

"My first field job was with a community center in a small town. Part of my job was to work with the team to help plan activities for the youth participants. We went into the local school and talked to a group of middle school to high-school students. As this was our target age group, we wanted to include them in the conversation. We talked about their interests, fears, and insecurities. We asked them what we could do to help them over the summer to prepare for the transition into the next grade. Based on these conversations, we made a plan. This experience was a fantastic kick-start to learning how to plan engaging and age-appropriate activities. One of the best events we held was a community wide '24 hours of summer vacation' that began at 7 PM on a Friday and ended at 7 PM the following day. Each group of kids had a leader, and they had to navigate through fun tasks that took them around town, and I look forward to doing the same with your organization."

Youth Workers often initiate and run outdoor activities, educational programs, and community outreach efforts. As a Youth Worker, you will need to adapt your events and activities, catering to the needs of the demographic. Your main goal is to create engagement in a way that is healthy, safe, and age-appropriate. Provide some examples that demonstrate your ability to manage large groups of people while creating and leading program initiatives that motivate kids to participate.

"I've created a book club where we read coming-of-age novels. At the end of each week, we'd discuss the book and our feelings while answering questions. We provided yoga classes and planned fun day trips. I once made arrangements with the local movie theatre to allow us to come between 1 AM and 3 AM to play video games on the big screens. Another time, we had daytime games in the park, and various local restaurants delivered food and beverages throughout the day. Some businesses put on an obstacle course, while others provided clues and snacks for the participants along the way. We had a city-wide scavenger hunt once. We ended the day with a BBQ for all the kids, parents, and volunteers, where we played traditional camp-style games in the park. We even arranged for local shops and restaurants to donate funds and products to support these highly immersive programs."

"I worked as a youth hostel manager. I did music concert programs, sports and games activities and occupied them with study and homework."

"I have played all different sports with young people, such as basketball and football. Assisting with homework activities. I found different magic tricks, board games, and origami can be useful too."

"I have led crafts, outings such as swimming, walking, etc."

If hired, how would you begin to assess the needs of the youth in our program?

"When it comes to youth, I use a variety of assessment techniques. I first take into consideration the preferred approach, as per my job training. I have experience with intakes, and each time I take on a new client, I assess their circumstances, their individual needs, and their unique goals, and make recommendations regarding the program type or approach that would best suit their needs, per the organization's policies and guidelines."

Most organizations will have strict methods for measuring the needs of the participants in their programs. Be prepared to discuss how you monitor and review the quality and efficacy of a program, ensuring that it is supporting the youth. As a Youth Worker, part of your role is to be observant and maintain accuracy in your assessments, notes, and recommendations. Your assessment methods should be helpful when making changes to organizational policies or the design of a program. If you bring experience in program design, then take the time to talk about surveys or questionnaires you have implemented. The interviewer will want to hear that you are mindful of your approach and the organizations' policies and guidelines.

"I diligently look out for numerous clues. First, I would assess if they appear malnourished, poorly groomed, or if it seems they are at risk of self-harm. I'd pay attention to who they are hanging out with, what their body language informs me, and how they choose to present themselves to the world. I'd take note of their attention level, if they are maintaining eye contact, and if their eyes are clear. Then, I'd create a preliminary action plan based on those factors."

"I assessed the need for the youth program with the support of the organization implementing it. After implementing prepared a report for evaluation through feedback and survey, then submitted to the organization."

"I would first assess the needs of the youth in line with what the organization's policies and goals are. I would consider the young person's personality, background, interests, and talents. Slowly, by getting to know the young person, I would identify where they may be lacking and where opportunity may lurk. For example, if they have a talent that they may be able to benefit off."

"First, I would access program needs based on school policies and guidelines. When I assess the need of the young persons, I pay attention to who they are hanging out with, what their body language tells me, and how they are choosing to present themselves to the world. I also assess if they appear malnourished, poorly groomed, or if it seems they will self-harm. I take note of their attention level, if they are holding eye contact, and if their eyes are clear. By diligently looking out for numerous clues, I can make better recommendations regarding the program type or approach that will best suit them."

If hired, how do you intend to make a difference with the at-risk youth in your trust and care?

"I'd build relationships by meeting them at their level, showing interest in what is important to them, and participate in their activities. This approach allows me to become someone who they respect, and feel on an equal level with. Once I earn their respect, I can get close enough that they'll let me in, open up to me, and allow me to set a good example for them."

The interviewer wants to hear about your approach and plan of action when it comes to making a connection with the youth who will be in your care. This question allows you to talk about the best qualities and skills that you have and how these traits and approaches will positively impact the youth. Your ability to engage in age-appropriate activities, be a reliable listener, and act as a positive example are all ways that you can make a difference!

"I will use a combination of my education, volunteer work, and personal and professional experience to create an environment of safety, trust, and care. I don't force myself on anyone as some all-knowing person with all the right answers. When working with at-risk youth, one of the things I have learned is to let the youth come to me. I develop rapport, I use humor, and slowly build trust, and I find common. Once I earn that trust and respect, I ask open-ended questions, opening up the lines of communication."

"I will remain as a role model. And make research the background of each individual and help them to improve upon."

"I intend to build relationships with the youth where they can trust me and know that I am someone who is there for them. They all are in care for a reason and most of those reasons are not great or fun. So I like to make sure the youth know that they can come to me or count on me to care for them with no judgment."

"If hired, I intend to make a difference by building up positive professional relationships so that the young people feel supported. I also intend to encourage a passion and enthusiasm for the outdoors, which I feel will help the young person feel more connected to themselves, nature and those around them. I also hope to encourage curiosity amongst young people to help them find their passion in life and to instill them with the hope that a brighter future is possible."

"I will do the best job that I possibly can, and work as hard as I can to understand the young people, build rapport and trust, and help each individual reach their different goals and needs."

"I will use all my knowledge and expertise that I have learned from previous job roles and experiences to build a report with the young people in my care, making myself accessible and understanding to help get their trust. I will also use previous training to help create and maintain a safe environment where young people feel they can openly talk about their concerns without the fear of being judged. If I had any safeguarding concerns I would record information word for word, not asking any leading questions and information to the young person I would have to pass this information on to an appropriate adult to help protect them."

How do you handle conflict between others? Do you have any training in de-escalation?

"While completing my diploma in Counselling, I learned very informative techniques for conflict resolution. I studied Conflict Resolution Therapy, where I learned approaches such as 'dialoguing,' the 'win-win waltz' and more in-depth exploration of core concerns. I also recently completed a front-line worker de-escalation course. In this online course, I learned how to defuse tense and serious situations."

As a Youth Worker, you will often encounter highly emotional situations. In your line of work, conflict is inevitable. It's essential to the interviewer that you understand how to react appropriately. In the face of conflict, you must respond with care and professionalism. Explain your approach to conflict, and consider giving an example from your work experience. If you have formal training in any of these topics, be sure to recap your education while putting a spotlight on any related coursework.

"I have found that the key to a successful resolution is remaining calm. I practice kundalini yoga, where you meditate and harness the energy of every chakra system from the root to the crown. And, as you ascend, you learn to control and master all of your autonomic systems and align them in accordance with each other. Through these mantras I have gotten into the habit of remaining absolutely calm, at will, even being able to control my heart rate. So, in the face of conflict, I remain calm, steady my emotions, and use open communication to get to the root of the issue. In this regard, I often have a calming effect on those I am dealing with, and I proceed to do my best to guide the situation to a healthy resolution. I have dealt with conflict with clients, mediated between co-workers, and have a strong track record with diffusing the majority of such situations."

"I think the most important thing is to be mindful of the fact that there is a context to the conflict and therefore start to approach it from a place of compassion. For me, I tend to not take things personally because I'm more interested in understanding where the person is coming from, and communicating what my intentions are. For example, when I was doing work in the HTES to support residents, this One staff had a different approach in getting residents to cooperate with the rules of the building. His approach was to enforce and create consequences that did not resonate with me wholeheartedly. There was a time where a resident kept on leaving her bike outside of her suite which was a hazard and therefore against the rules of the building. I spoke with the resident to understand why she was unwilling to bring the bike into her suite. The staff member was not happy with the approach and wanted me to enforce the rules rather than to try and understand her perspective; after listening to him I realized that he wanted the residents to be accountable for their actions and in his perspective, I was taking on more of a supportive role. I communicated with him that I intended to try and understand the perspective of the residents to reflect and brainstorms potential solutions to this problem.He let me know that it was important that in this process, I let the residents know that their actions go against the rules of the building and through this conversation we both realized that it was important to explain to the residents why leaving personal belongings outside of the suite is a hazard. Through listening, I took what he had to say as valuable feedback and I reflected on how my approach can grow to incorporate both accountabilities with support."

"I remain calm and collected, and ideally, I try to sense when tension is rising between individuals and remove one party from the situation if necessary. If a conflict does arise, I try to encourage young people to remove themselves from the situation and take time out to reflect. I received training in Team Teach in a previous job, and I would be keen to develop my de-escalation skills further."

"Sometimes, I would encounter situations in my retail experience where customers would become distressed or angry for different reasons. I would remain calm and be respectful and remind them that I am trying my best to solve the problem for them. In Covid times, customers would become upset at controversial changes, such as Covid sign-ins. I would remind the customers that this is from the Government and not from ____, and that if they do not wish to sign in that is also fine, but there may be a fine from the police. Most importantly, I would remain respectful and calm, and ensure not to escalate further."

"I would use my PACE training as well as my STAIR training to help de-escalate situations between others. I would always resort to the simplest action first, before trying more resourceful techniques. I also believe in the importance of debriefs between two people who have had a misunderstanding or conflict between them, to help find a mental understanding of the conflict and an opportunity to put this situation behind them so they can help build a more positive relationship in the future."

How would you respond if a child became physically aggressive with you?

"I have training and experience, and today handle aggression much differently than when I started out. I have learned to see and assess a situation and try to catch clues before a situation escalates. I feel comfortable handling such situations now, and my education has prepared me well. However, there is always more to learn, and I'll always seek more training and experience, and am looking forward to learning hands-on in a healthy work environment. I also make sure that I know the policies and safety procedures of my place of work as clearly as I can."

As a Youth Worker, you are responsible for children and youth, many of whom lack guidance when it comes to appropriate emotional responses. The interviewer wants to feel confident that you will maintain a calm environment whenever possible, and that you can handle altercations with care and compassion. If you have worked with high-risk youth in the past, show that you understand the importance of being on guard in case aggressive behavior occurs. If you can, provide a story-based example from the past. Choose an example that highlights your ability to manage physical aggression.

"When I worked at an education-based agency without proper training, nor prior experience working with kids from violent backgrounds, a 9-year-old boy picked up a chair and threw it at me. I ended up with injuries to my face and hands. He then jumped from desk to desk, ripping down all the kids' artwork from the walls. With no help around, I realized it was important to remember mental health issues were at issue here, and I needed to show compassion, despite how scary the situation was. So, I ignored his behavior, I hit play on the stereo and started to play some classical music, grabbed a book from the teachers' desk and started to read it out loud. Remarkably, the music and the book calmed him down. By the time the teacher returned, the boy was sitting on the floor with a smile on his face, intently listening. When I finished the book, this boy stood up, grabbed my hand, and asked if we could play outside."

"I would first try to establish any hints that the situation would turn aggressive before it does, but in the case that the child does become aggressive, I would initially do my best to maintain distance between the child and myself, and depending on how well I know the child, I would recommend changing tasks to something more enjoyable for them. For example, if I knew this specific child enjoyed a certain song or movie, I would put that song or movie on, to try and discourage them from becoming aggressive and calm them down. I would also try to understand the cause of the aggression. I would ask myself whether I said something that triggered them or perhaps the task we are doing is what is making them aggressive. If I can pinpoint the cause, I might be able to rectify the situation much more quickly."

"I will act quickly and calmly speak and explain to him to protect me and protect him from doing harm."

"I would use de-escalation techniques as well as my PACE training to help combat this scenario. I have a lot of experience in situations where a child has become physically aggressive with me or my colleagues and that the appropriate action has been taken. I'd try to move away from the young person, evading physical harm, but maintain verbal communication with my PACE training to start to de-escalate the behavior."

What would you do to de-escalate a situation that is getting out of control? Give me an example of a time when you successfully did so.

"Once, after a few COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, I was in a grocery store parking lot walking my cart back to my car. Three men were shouting and cursing, fighting over a curbside pickup parking spot. They were blocking traffic, causing a scene, nearing a fist fight. A young grocery worker, collecting carts, looked terrified. I approached him and suggested he go into the store to get help. Next, I caught the attention of these men by instinctively putting my hands up and shouted STOP very loudly, multiple times. I asked them to calm down and explain the issue at hand. After I got the full picture, I reminded them that the pandemic impacted us all, and isolation put a tension on everyone, and that we're all in this together. I then suggested, rather than throwing punches, they put their fists to good use and play rock, paper, scissors for the parking spot. They all looked at me wildly, and after a moment, started laughing. By the time help arrived from inside the store, I had all three men apologizing to each other for their behavior. They later shook hands and laughed it off."

De-escalation and conflict management skills are critically important for a Youth Worker to possess. You must be skilled at calming a heated situation between opposing individuals. Moreover, if someone is in danger, you must know how to respond quickly and effectively. Share a specific example of a time when you diffused conflict. Include any tricks you deployed to calm the stressful situation. If discipline was involved, be prepared to explain your approach.

"I have had to de-escalate many situations in my volunteer and work experience and my day-to-day life. When it comes to de-escalation techniques, I prefer to stay calm yet firm, listen carefully, be non-judgemental, and use humor if it's appropriate. I feel blessed to live where I do, and to have the niceties that I have, a solid upbringing, and opportunity. So I go through life with gratitude and want to give back. Too many people walk away from tough situations. But I'll let those in need know that I'll stick around and help if I can. Most often, people are angry, because every ignores or neglects them, and that can be dehumanizing. They just want the satisfaction of feeling heard, being seen, being validated, and receiving a little empathy. This is especially true if this person has been overlooked or disenfranchised. So I try to be present, remaining calm, establishing boundaries while showing I care."

"First, I'd make sure everyone was safe, even if that meant I stood in between two individuals in conflict. Then, when the individuals were separated and safe, I would address the situation that lead up to the conflict, talking them through the situation. If it were a single individual, I would make sure he or she was safe. Then I would talk them through the situation. During each incident, I would notify the proper contacts of the event, and file an incident report."

"It would depend on the circumstance, but if it were a young person who was, say, getting incredibly upset and distressed, I would try to de-escalate the situation by recommending a physical activity. As a youth mentor, there were times when the young person would become angry or distressed, and when this happened there was an immense build-up of energy, and this energy could either come out verbally or physically against myself or someone else, which would not be good. So, to encourage this energy to be released, I would recommend taking a walk or playing basketball or kicking the football, or any kind of physical exercise that would allow the build-up on energy to be released. By the end of the activity, there would be no energy to be angry. If there were any safety concerns or incidents, I would report it to the supervisor and follow the relevant procedures."

What ideas do you have to improve our youth programs?

"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."

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."

"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."

"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."

How do you respond in a crisis? Do you have crisis-management training?

"This training was a part of my diploma in Leadership, my diploma in Counseling, and my certificate in Addictions. I have worked in many situations where a crisis arises. I respond very well to critical situations, and work diligently to find ways to help people feel safe in a crisis. Crisis management is something that I excel at, and it's a skill that I have worked hard to develop. There are always things I can do better, but if everyone ends up safe, I consider the crisis handled."

The interviewer wants to know that you come prepared to deal with a crisis. As a Youth Worker, the dilemma you encounter could be anything from violent language to destructive behavior towards others, or even medical emergencies. Review the training you have received and discuss how you have dealt with crises in the past. If you have limited experience with crisis management, do some research to find out more about the demographic you will be serving and the types of situations you might encounter in this role.

"I do have crisis-management training, and also completed emergency response courses when I worked as an Emergency Services Coordinator. Each emergency or dilemma presents different roadblocks, and you have to handle each crisis as a unique situation. It's now second nature to me. I react quickly and with authority when a crisis hits. Stay calm, maintain the lead, and keep the lines of communication open with all parties involved until the situation is under control."

"I am observant and always ready if a child acts out. The safety of the child is important. I take action immediately before everything gets out of hand."

"I have a lot of knowledge and experience in dealing and being in crisis scenarios, I'm PACE trained and I always use this in my approach, also I'm trained in Attachment & Trauma so this helps me see past extreme behaviors and incidents, to help me identify underlying issues that could be causing a young person to be in crisis. Using my PACE training, I would approach the incident using a Playfulness to try and de-escalate any behaviors, I would then use Acceptance, Accepting why a young person may be feeling a certain way or displaying certain behaviors, then moving on to Curiosity, asking open questions to try and identify and listen closely for any triggers that may have triggered the young person and help me address their concerns with my next approach being Empathy, relying on everything I've heard from the young person back to them, "so from what I hear you saying is that you're angry that you got your Xbox removed from your room, and I can understand how upsetting and frustrating this must feel, but this was done to help you go to sleep at bedtime, so you don't keep waking up tired the next morning, helping you wake up more energized. Maybe we can sit down and come up with a plan so your Xbox can return back to your room, but you must turn it off at a set time to go to sleep"."

"I do not have specific crisis training, but I had dealt with different situations both as a youth mentor and also in my work in customer service. I try my best to always remain calm, be polite, and maintain the safety of everyone involved. I would make sure to report the details of the situation to my supervisor."

How do you respond when you notice signs of drug abuse or other destructive behavior?

"In my current role, we are a dry facility, so I follow the guidelines and procedures as policy dictates, but that can still happen with the least amount of confrontation and judgment. It is very typical to see high-risk youth who display this behavior, substance abuse, and is precisely the reason why I do what I do, as best as I can. But to stick around, they have to get clean. When they don't, I hope that they come back next time and do the work required to remain in our program."

Part of your responsibility as a Youth Worker is to pay attention to signs of abusive and destructive behavior. You need to know what to look out for so that you can step in to help the youth in your care in an appropriate manner. When a situation is past the point of prevention, you will also need to know how to respond. Your reply will depend on the level of care that the hiring institution offers, and will also depend on whether the center is a dry facility or rehabilitation center. When you answer this question, take a thoughtful, proactive approach. Show the interviewer that you come prepared for these types of situations. If you're not quite sure what to do, reflect on your education and volunteer experience.

"It is not my place to judge; it is my place, however, to support and be as positive and safe as I possibly can. When they come to our center for help, they have often lost that sense-of-self, or it has been taken away from them by previous trauma, pain, and suffering. Accept them for who they are, including accepting their circumstances and their choices, including chronic drug use or self-abuse. The trick is helping them see their self-worth, which they can see more clearly when they are clean and sober, not self-harming, and have access to emotional support."

"I will respond calmly and clarify the details of drug abuse and report the matter to the supervisor or manager and give and follow the duty of care."

"I would first explain the situation to my supervisor and follow the relevant procedure. If I had the opportunity to sit and talk with the young person about it, I would emphasize my duty to support them and let them know that they are not alone, that there is hope, and that they are worth more to themselves and everyone else when they are not taking drugs. I would not judge them and still remain close to them so that I can offer help where I can."

"I would check with a child, will report to the supervisor immediately to prevent future self-harm."

"I try to notice destructive behavior as soon as possible and then try to intervene before it escalates. There are many times where I have watched a group of children play and someone isn't cooperating with another resident and I can see that someone is going to get hurt or a toy may be wreaked leaving both residents mad in the end. I try to remind them to take turns and usually a clock or timer so they know when to switch helps a lot. That is one way I try to respond quickly to situations where I can see it being destructive in the end."

What do you know about our organization and its mission?

"I am pleased to see that your agency specializes in working with high-risk youth. I appreciate that the foundation of this mission is for this particular demographic. That has been the focus of my education and training, so it feels like a positive fit. I also read that your agency follows a people-centered approach to care, and your goal is to reduce stressors for these youths and provide a 360 approach to care, and I am eager to learn more."

Take the time to perform in-depth research before your interview. The interviewer will be looking for an engaged response that shows a deep interest in the organizations' purpose and mission. Start by visiting the organizations' website and reviewing their mission statement, events, and program information. If there are videos on their website, be sure to watch them. Take special note of the information on their 'careers' page, if one is available. Take notes as you review the website and search for any press-releases or media online. Anything that sparks your attention is worth jotting down. If you wish, you can bring your notes to the interview, which will demonstrate your interest and investment in the organization. You want the interviewer to be impressed by your knowledge. Above all, you want to show the hiring authorities that you wish to land the job.

"Even more now that I've spent some time researching your agency while preparing for this interview. I really identify with your mission to provide trauma-informed care, while providing a safe and stable home for high-risk youth. I identify with your core values and that you value building long-term relationships with those you serve, and your offerings of family therapy, providing tools and training, and how every member of the family is to be treated with dignity and respect. All of these points are the factors that drew me to apply to your position."

"Changing how the world cares for children, families, and communities." With this mission, Boys Town had reached millions of at-risk youth since 1917 when Father Flanagan first opened his home for boys in Omaha, Nebraska. Today Boys Town serves children all over the world with its research-based revolutionary Boys Town Teaching Model. This model has been used on the Boys Town campus and implemented in many classrooms around the U.S., changing children's lives forever."

"The organization aims to empower strong people by developing them with life and people skills and to prepare them for life. It aims to make them feel connected to their community and the environment. It works with young people that have difficulties with school, home, or disabilities. The organization takes young people through a journey of change to give them skills that equip them for the future and provide them with the hope that they can make a positive contribution to their communities."

"Safe Places is a non-profit organization that aims to help young people who have been separated from their families by the Government. This organization aims to achieve positive outcomes, such as fostering a family-like environment, building healthy relationships and attachments, and engaging in healthy lifestyle habits, so that eventually the youth can move into foster care or independent living."

We conduct thorough background checks. Can you pass a criminal, education, drug check, and a physical?

"Yes, I can pass all of the tests that you require."

Before your interview, make sure you are clear on all of the requirements for the job. Depending on your location, the employer will require different background testing to ensure that you are a person safe to work around children and youth. If asked to perform a background check or medical test that makes you uncomfortable, be sure to research and confirm that what the interviewer is proposing is a legal request in your area. For instance, in some regions of Canada, a Youth Worker may be required to comply with a TB test. Where in the USA, other blood tests may be necessary. When an interviewer asks this question, it's best to be completely honest. If you think something might show up in your tests, tell them upfront. Even if you had a misdemeanor that is now expunged from your record, you might want to share this information. Be honest in the interview and show that you have integrity. If the answer is no, you will not pass a particular test, share the necessary details. If the answer is yes, you will pass these tests; then, you can give a brief response that is to the point.

"I can pass your education and drug test, as well as any physical that you require. Although removed from my record now, I did have a mark on my criminal record as a youth for two counts of petty theft. I was never convicted, and my record was sealed. Of course, my record has remained clean for the past twenty years."

"Yes, I can pass a background check."

"Yes, all of those things will be passed."

"Yes, I've never had a criminal history or partook in illegal activity. I've also had DBS checks completed to work with children and have never been denied or red-flagged on a background check."

How do you respond to negative feedback from others?

"It's never the easiest thing to hear when I'm doing something that needs improving upon; however, it is necessary to hear it out and accept the feedback to improve my skills and grow. Anytime I'm not feeling 100% confident about my skills, I will initiate a feedback-driven conversation."

As a Youth Worker, you must be continually growing and improving. Through continual growth and improvement, you will be able to deliver the best results for the youth that you work with while setting a positive example. Show your ability to be humble and accept feedback without taking offense. Be sure to highlight the fact that you also focus on implementing change when change is due.

"I have always been open to feedback and often ask for it, with the aim of learning and improving. I take it to heart and implement any change promptly when appropriate. When I get feedback that feels misplaced or confusing, I ask questions, trying to understand where it is coming from and its context. Sometimes, the feedback isn't communicated properly, concealing another issue that needs to be addressed. Seeking, accepting, and clarifying feedback is critical in this field. And, when you are a better communicator than the person offering the feedback, it is incumbent on you to get to the bottom of it and resolve the issue at the heart of it."

"Positively, saying thank you for your feedback, I will try to correct myself."

"I take my time to respond, because like people, I initially feel slightly hurt by negative feedback. Once I have some distance, I then reflect on the negative feedback. If I feel there is some validity to it, I may go back to the person who has provided it and ask them how I can improve and do things differently. I understand that ultimately it is only through feedback that we are able to become better practitioners, and I regularly seek it out from colleagues and young people that I work with."

"I understand the importance of feedback, especially negative feedback, in order to develop and learn. If I am confused by the feedback, I will ask for clarification and what I might be able to do to rectify the mistake, as well as make an effort in the future to act on the feedback."

"I am here to learn, just like anyone else I would rather get positive feedback. But I also like to be told if I am doing something wrong or need to change how I do something. People see negative feedback to be judgemental and at the moment I do feel sometimes that way but I try to see where the other person is coming from so I get better myself in the field. No one is perfect."

Youth Workers often face emotionally challenging situations. How do you manage your emotions on the job?

"I am aware that emotional accountability is essential, and so is having a support group. Co-workers should collectively hold each other up and encourage healthy coping practices and self-care. In my current role at Agency XYZ, we hold regular debrief meetings, which I appreciate. This approach usually does the trick for me."

As a Youth Worker, you are in a highly visible position of influence on impressionable young adults and children. For that reason, you must show emotional intelligence and control. When stress is high, and you feel the frustration boiling, how do you ensure that you react in a way that shows your youth and co-workers that emotional management is a critical skill? Maturely managing stress can be tricky, especially if you are dealing with frequent intense situations during the day. The interviewer wants to discuss the emotionally grounding approaches that you deploy. Coping techniques may include deep breathing, meditation, and giving yourself a break when appropriate.

"We're all bound to face those challenging moments. It's all part of the work. Normally I'm pretty grounded, and can weather those tough times pretty well. If I am having an emotionally challenging moment, when appropriate, I'll excuse myself and find a private space to collect myself and take a few deep breaths and employ some meditative grounding techniques. If the incident is particularly challenging, and its effects linger, once able to take a longer break, such as a meal break or after wrapping up at the end of the day, I'll listen to a mindfulness app or play a song that centers me. I am a proponent of self-care. I go for walks and get out into nature. I eat well, am healthy and exercise regularly. I have a strong support group and also have a great therapist that I see on an as needed basis."

"I use both mindfulness and critical thinking. I evaluate the situation, seeing the problem in as many angles as I can. Then I slow down observing my surroundings to see what I am missing. With deep breaths, many aspects of the attack, and a root in reality, I can keep an even keel as I work through stressful challenges."

"By nature, I always remain calm when there is stress. But I also use a little time out to walk and deep breath as a coping mechanism."

"At the moment, I take deep breaths and might even write thoughts on my phone in the notes app. This allows the physical and emotional energy to be released through writing. I also remind myself to remain calm and be stoic. Thankfully, I am naturally a resilient and stoic person."

"If I am having an emotional moment I ask my coworkers to help out in the situation or let them know I need a moment to calm down and go to a space where I can take deep breaths and then re-enter with everyone else."

"I remain professional in emotionally challenging situations and only allow myself to manage these at a more appropriate time, in debriefs with my managers or colleagues. I also have the awareness that I can take 5 minutes to myself to get some fresh air and gather my thoughts, a visit to the restroom to take a short time-out, as well as playing football outside of my working hours, engaging in physical activity to help me express or vent built-up pressures."

Tell me about your volunteer experience.

"A lot of my related work experience stemmed from my volunteer work. My parents used to go to youth correctional facilities where they would play music for the inmates and celebrate holidays with them. I would go with them and mentor the youth. This led to me being a camp counselor in highschool and college. In my adulthood, I took part in some overseas projects. While living in Spain, I delivered medical care to the under-privileged, and I volunteered at a cancer clinic. That led to me volunteering at an end-of-life emotional support center, where I comforted patients as they passed."

Volunteer work is often a pathway to employment. In fact, in a study conducted by The Corporation for National and Community Service, the agency discovered that the job seekers who volunteered boosted their chance of gaining a job offer by 27%.As a Youth Worker, your volunteer experience can be equally crucial to your work experience and education. Share your volunteer history, including your responsibilities and the focus of the organizations with which you have volunteered. Talk about how you have made an impact and what you learned from the experiences. Share what motivates you to give back to others, and give the interviewer a solid idea that you have a passion for volunteering.

"As a teen, I volunteered for a co-op. A shelter and safe-space for women and children who escaped domestic violence situations. I watched the kids while the women attended group therapy sessions. Later, and served food to the homeless, then later worked at a suicide prevention hotline. Eventually, I served on a few sub-committees over the years. This led to me joining the board of directors of a local non-profit focused on working with the homeless, and combatting issues surrounding COVID-19."

"I have had multiple volunteer experiences. I volunteered at my church's Sunday school. I volunteered at a community center focused on at-risk youth, giving them a place to hangout that was safe, with positive role models present. I volunteered at the local food pantry and a cat cafe that housed and adopted out homeless cats."

"I volunteered as a youth mentor, where I was helping 'at risk adolescents'. We had weekly mentoring sessions which lasted up to 2 hours that were aimed at building life skills and achieving positive goals. Some weeks we would go to the library and work on homework activities, other weeks we would play basketball. I would fill out a short report after each session, detailing the goals and outcomes, though sometimes the goal was broad as there was not a specific goal for every session. It would depend on the activity and also what the young person was feeling like at the time. I enjoyed the experience overall and found it very rewarding, and it also helped me solidify my decision to want to work with youth. Initially, I found that from spending time around me, the mentee slowly began to modify his behavior and by the end of the mentoring sessions, he was much more well-behaved and equipped to start high school."

"I have quite a lot of volunteer experiences from one day to a couple of years. I volunteered to support Iron Men while I was a student at University in Hawaii. It was a very heart-touching experience. I also volunteered at my church Sunday school and their summer camp. A few different churches' youth groups and through that I got to know better about immigrant children and their parents. Eventually, it impacted my career path to becoming a youth worker."

How do you manage to create relationships with boundaries?

"I learned strong boundary-setting techniques while earning my diplomas in counseling and leadership. I've continued developing my customized approach through my work and volunteer experience. As difficult as they are, I am skilled in conducting boundary-related conversations. I also have a 'story bank,' where I've memorized age-appropriate stories and memories that feel safe to share when working with youth. When I feel like sharing a personal account is appropriate, I draw from one of these stories. I'm often invited to birthday parties and family events of the clients I work with. In the rare cases where I deemed it appropriate to participate, I first consulted with my supervisor and the organization guidelines ahead of time, and also requested a chaperone."

In your role as a Youth Worker, you may find yourself in difficult situations or entering conversations where boundaries are unclear. Your job is to make the youth feel comfortable with you while also being able to create common ground and maintain strong points of connection.At times, creating these connection points may mean sharing personal examples from your life or your struggles as a youth. Talk to the interviewer about the ways that you ensure professionalism and boundaries while still earning a personal connection.

"Learning to set boundaries while working with at-risk youth is a necessity, even if when a good rapport is established. In my approach, I'm honest and direct, and adapt my communication to their personality, to what I know about them, accounting for their receptiveness to feedback. Only share what you are comfortable sharing. I don't share the names of my children, the school they go to, or where we live. I don't meet with clients outside of work unless it's work-related and pre-approved by a supervisor or guardian, and accompanied by another coworker. The last thing I want to do is cause complications that have the potential to harm me or the youth."

"I listen and communicate. I let my thoughts and judgments to the side. I listen to what they have to say, what their experiences are, and pay attention to culture. I see the parent(s) as a second teacher(s); therefore, I communicate what their child is learning and their progression. I work to help the parents find ways to support their child's progress after they go home, introducing them to techniques and community resources they can utilize to make home a positive learning experience, too."

"I create relationships with boundaries by making sure that I am punctual. This creates a time boundary, and I feel it is important to stick to these at the beginning and the end of sessions with young people. If you do go over time, I feel it is important to explain to the young person why this is the case. In terms of relationship building, it is important for me to be clear with myself about what I'm willing to share. I create my own boundaries in regard to discussion. It is important to share a certain amount of your personal life so that the young person is able to relate to you and feels confident sharing about themselves."

"I make sure that I am honest and direct when it comes to my role and if boundaries have been crossed. I make sure the other person understands the boundaries and my role so as to avoid crossing them again in the future. For example, when I was running the first-year psychology tutorials, I ensured that each student understood my role and that even though I was a student, I was not allowed to help them with any assignments. I could advise them on different techniques and help explain concepts, but I could not proofread or draft any work for them. Most of all, I ensure that the other party understands my role. And if boundaries are crossed, I make sure to explain to the other party how they have been crossed, why it is important for them not to be crossed, and emphasize my role again."

Tell me about your experience being a mentor. What approach has worked well? What would you improve?

"I participated in a mentorship program targeted to young adults with special needs. I do not have a specific style or system in place when it comes to mentoring. To me, mentorship takes dedication, clear boundaries, empathy, discipline, and hard work, and is an experience requiring an open heart and mind. I am not perfect, but I am always striving to grow. I continually seek out ways to improve my approach and impact as a mentor and counselor. When I mentor someone, they may not get perfection, but they do get my best self. I strive for excellence because that's what those who seek safety deserve to receive."

Think about how your influence has made a positive difference in others in the past. As a Youth Worker, your ability to coach, lead, advise, and influence others is an essential aspect of your role. When you approach this question, you want to showcase your skills as a mentor, while also taking a humble approach and showing that, you too, are a work in progress. When talking about what you would improve, you can share feedback you have received in the past or simply speak about the fact that you are continually looking to improve.

"I have a lot of experience mentoring others in a variety of roles. Most recently, while working for Association XYZ, I mentored women through the legal justice system and offered family violence support. There, I would help these individuals get through their day through mentorship-based care and support. Just as anyone in this line of work would say, I would like to boost my success rate when it comes to helping others overcome difficult life situations."

"I was a mentor in my last job at _____________. This involved supporting young people in going to school. I found that having a open minded approach worked as well as demonstrating my commitment to working with the young people and also having a sense of fun and having a number of different tasks up my sleeve for relationship building. I sometimes felt like there were certain situations where I needed to be firmer with young people. For example I worked with one young person who regularly missed days of school. One day he asked me if he had to go to school, my response was that ultimately it was his decision and in retrospect I might have responded that yes he had to go to school."

"I found that having an open mind, being non-judgemental, and trying my best to understand the situation, works very well. I also find that having a sense of humor and being fun with the young person can help build rapport and trust, and which will allow them to feel safe around you and open up when they feel like they want to. To improve my mentoring abilities, I want to emphasize my role and my desire to want to help and support them."

"While I was working as a mentor in my previous job. I happened to meet a 16 years old girl, an international student, parents were living in another country. She seemed insecure and easy to upset, tried to impress parents who have great expectations of her academic performance. She was constantly kicked out of homestay and did not know why she had to encounter the situation.I helped her by listening to her feelings and stress. Turned her situation into new opportunities instead of focusing on problems. Provide guidance on how to communicate with homestay parents and advocate for her. I found positive changes in her relationships and academic performance after 6 months. She had less conflict with her parents. Eventually, she becomes successful in her school works."

"I have mentored and cared for many children. I found that when youth see you as someone who can help them and they can trust you, they react more positively towards you in times where you are having to be the authority figure. Depending on the situation I either approach the youth myself or let them come to me on their own. In a group home setting, I like to approach them so that a trust relationship starts right away but when I mentored one on one with youth I would wait and let them tell me what they wanted to let me know or talk to me about. I could improve on my outing side of myself. I can be very reserved and can come off as shy at first with people and youth. I try to put that aside as much as possible and be open to meeting new youth. However, this is a work in progress."

"I have a good knowledge of being a mentor to a team of carers, leading supervisions and debriefs with staff, as well as target-setting and completing rotas. I believe being open and honest always helps create a trusting relationship between people, making expectations or goals clear to people, and also offering support and guidance on how these can be achieved. An area I would improve upon is having more contact with my team, but this is difficult working on a shift pattern as I would not always come into contact with colleagues for a length of time."

Take me through your experience working with high-risk youth. Do you feel well-equipped to do this job safely?

"I have many years' experience behind me in the field of youth work, social work, and counseling. I feel confident in my skills, and executing my job with every safety measure. I have found this career path enriching, and always challenging in the sense that it's ever-changing. I believe that further funding means better training and stronger resources for risk prevention. The issues that these kids face are forever evolving."

The hiring authority wants to ensure that you have the foundation, knowledge, and skills required to safely perform the duties of your job as a Youth Worker. It's essential to prove, without a doubt, that you are capable of doing your work amid the ever-changing risks this job presents. Hazards include increased violence since the Covid-19 pandemic and an increase in tainted street drugs over the years. Youth Workers have reported a rise in client overdoses and suicide rates - all significant concerns that you will need to address. Be prepared to discuss how you have equipped yourself to handle behavioral or mental health issues. High-risk youth are at a greater risk of involvement in violence, drug, or illegal sex work. Talk about the youth-related programs you have participated in or facilitated, and how your education and training has prepared you to help others while working safely.

"I am continually learning and re-learning how to help this demographic better. To keep myself informed and up to date, I participate in online webinars and have created a support system within the community made up of others who work in this field. I lean on resources from a variety of public and government sources as well, and I also keep in touch with the new funding options available for my center's program. Rest assured, I will continue to educate myself and gain the support needed to provide an impact while also delivering a safe work environment for the team and a supportive environment for the youth we are helping."

"Yes. In India, I was involved with drugs and alcoholic youth. We had a program to reestablish their life. Firstly, we design a program for them where the staff, stakeholders, and the parents and the police were involved. The rehabilitation program was done in the church compound, providing food and accommodation.Drug awareness programs, like showing movies on drug harm, were done. Sports and games were organized."

"Yes, I do. I was a youth mentor for a year and six months, where I had to deal with different kinds of challenging behaviors, from general impoliteness to extreme distress and hyperventilating. Beyond my personality, I am interested in psychology and youth development, so I am constantly educating myself on psychology and youth development so that I can better understand and solve problems."

Do you have experience or formal training in leading and mentoring at-risk youth?

"Yes, I do have experience and training in leading and mentoring at-risk youth. My experience began over 20 years ago when I started volunteering with at-risk youth at a drop-in center. I have a diploma in Leadership with a primary focus on working with youth. I also have a diploma in Counselling, where I specialized in Child and Youth Development and Grief. There are certificates in Group Therapy, Suicide Intervention, Addiction, and Emergency Response that I have. I am eager to expand my training and experiences with your esteemed organization."

As a Youth Worker, you play an essential role in building the next generation by improving the lives of children and youth. Walk the interviewer through your experience and discuss how you have been a part of shaping others through care-based work. Be specific by sharing relevant details of your experiences and interactions. The key to successfully answering this question is in clearly outlining your exposure while also showing a passion for your work.

"I'm happy with the positive changes I've witnessed throughout the years, and how far this industry has come in combating the issues afflicted at-risk youth. I feel privileged to have taken part in how we view and treat at-risk youth, and am grateful for the progression in innovation that emerges from organizations such as yours, where an open mind and non-judgemental approach is essential. We no longer shame these kids into getting help. We meet them where they are and offer support based on relationship building rather than criticizing their choices. The world has changed so much in the 20 years since I began my career journey. I am excited to see where we are heading next, and optimistic about the future."

"I had great experience in the youth hostel as in charge of the hostel. I learned a lot from the children- the language, culture, and problem-solving culturally."

"Yes, I was a youth mentor, where I completed the organization's training, and have also completed Safe Environments for Children training."

"I have experience mentoring youth. I have worked in group homes for up to 3 years, I have worked in family homes to help the children transition back into the home, I have mentored children one on one as well. I am in school to be a youth care worker, so no certificate yet but will have one. Other than that I have no formal training."

Tell me about your leadership experience and how it has prepared you to guide at-risk youth.

"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."

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."

"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."

"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"

"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."

"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."

Tell me about a time when you influenced the outcome of a critical situation by taking the lead.

"A coworker wanted to take a group of youths on a hike and asked me to be their partner on this outing. I agreed, and the group was very excited about the whole thing. It was a beautiful day. The weather was mild and comfortable. The sun was not too strong, partly cloudy as well. Everything seemed to go smoothly when my coworker started to not feel well and couldn't go on. They were crippled with nausea. The group started to worry and nearly panicked. I decided we needed to go back, and several in the group grew rebellious. After about a half-hour, I was able to de-escalate the situation and get everyone in line. So we started back, but the going was slow because my coworker couldn't go very far before taking another rest. So a half-hour hike in took two-hours to hike back out. All the while, the group kept getting restless and unruly. Eventually, we were able to get back to the van with no additional outbursts. We got the youth's home and my coworker to urgent care. Turned out they started the hike dehydrated and suffered sunstroke, despite the mild weather. Go figure."

The interviewer wants to hear about a time that you took the lead in a critical situation. As a Youth Worker, the expectation is that you will react wisely under pressure, regardless of your official leadership title. The hiring authority wants to see that you can respond quickly, appropriately, and with authority when the need arises. If you have a specific story example, approach your response by first setting the stage to the story. Discuss your actions, and then provide details on the outcome of your actions. If you have trouble organizing answers that require specific story-examples, you can try to follow the STAR framework, which is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, Result.

"While working at a small all-boy's youth center, myself and two co-workers took the group on an outing. Due to the size of the group, we were traveling in separate vehicles. In the car my co-worker was driving, I sat up front with him, and four youths sat in the back. In the second vehicle, another co-worker drove with another three youths. One of the boys in my vehicle began to foam at the mouth and seize. We weren't aware of any pre-existing medical conditions. I asked the driver of the vehicle to pull over. Another boy went into shock from the stress. I knew we needed to keep the rest of the youths busy to distract them from similar distress. I one boy to get me the sick boy's cell phone for one of us to call his parents. We needed to find out what was going on with this boy's medical history. I asked another youth to call the leader in the second vehicle to fill them in on the situation, ask them to turn around, and come to help. In the meantime, my co-worker called for emergency assistance. I used my first aid training to get the seizing boy into a safe position to prepare for the paramedics' arrival, and treating the other for his shock. I filled in the paramedics when they arrived, and they thanked me. In the end, they both fully recovered."

"As a Behavioral Health Technician, I chose to facilitate a class called Self-Esteem. The class was not engaging the consumers resulting in little participation. I asked my supervisor what I could do to change this.She supplied new coursework and instructed me on different techniques I could employ while I was facilitating the course.I was able to engage the consumers, increasing class attendance. Soon, my course became one of the consumers' favorite to attend."

"I manage a boxing team of 25 teenagers and last year we organized a boxing competition, and it was amazing, our Team won. It was great. All staff and trainers did an excellent job. We had a lot of challenges, but it was a success. I am so thankful for my resilient Team."

"I ran first-year psychology tutorials for a semester, and during these tutorials, I made an effort to bring extra materials, maintain communication with the students, and answer any questions that they might have, ensuring that they are engaged and not feeling lost or hopeless in their first year of university. Students told me at the end that the tutorials really helped, and that they learned a lot about university and hidden materials that they would not have otherwise."

"While being a Senior support worker, I arrived on shift at a children's home I had brief knowledge of, and there was an ongoing critical incident already taking place, of a young person being missing from the home. The care workers tried making contact with the young person but had no success, nor knew where the young person would have gone. It was my responsibility to find the young person and make sure that they were safe, as well as to return home. I read through the young person's paperwork and then took action, I reported the young person missing to the police and gained a crime number for a reference, I sent a carer out to do an extensive search of the local area, checking transport points and hang-out areas for teens, I started a time-log, recording all the time and actions I was taking, I also informed the young person's social worker to inform them. Shortly after the actions I took, the young person was found and I was able to go and meet the young person and debriefed the incident with them, then got them to return to the children's home, preventing any further risk."

As a Youth Worker, what qualities are important for you to have in a supervisor?

"I'd like a supervisor who will be good at their job, admits their own mistakes, and corrects them. Someone who trusts me and respects my work. Ideally, a supervisor who will have my back under the sticky circumstances that can arise in this job."

As a Youth Worker, your job is challenging, and you will need all the support you can get from your supervisor. It can be challenging to work with at-risk youth. Motivating and compassionate leaders will help you be the most effective at your job. To prepare for this question, you could make a list of the traits you have admired in previous supervisors and mentors. Think about your ideal leader and work situation. Maybe they believe in you and encourage you when you feel discouraged. Perhaps they support you by training you in a new skill or offering helpful feedback when they see room for improvement. Keep your response positive, and be as specific as possible.

"For me to be successful as a Youth Worker, someone who is experienced and knowledgeable, who I can learn from and wholeheartedly respect, and who is approachable, and open to answering questions when I am not clear on a task or approach. Also, it's important to me that my supervisor can tell me when I need to do something better and then show me how to improve."

"If I was a supervisor: I need to be polite, welcoming, caring, responsible, and accountable."

"I think a good supervisor is someone who is respectful and respected, competent in their job, and fair."

"It would be great if a supervisor has more experience and knowledge than myself and was a motivating and compassionate leader. For example, in my practicum, my supervisor offers ways how to redirect a child with Autism spectrum. Other times she came along while I was playing basketball with children during recess to try to build relationships and teach them team play, cheering me on. Finally, she trusted me when I tried new things with a child and was willing to offer helpful feedback."

"I believe it's important to have the knowledge and understanding of accessibility for youth in the community, ranging from sports clubs, youth projects, and educational opportunities as well as supporting agencies that can provide help and opportunities to young people. I also believe it's important to have awareness of Safeguarding young people, to be diverse to give everyone equal opportunities no matter what race, age, ethnic background, disability, or gender."

How would you deal with a youth who did not want to be helped or motivated?

"We all have our success stories, and we all have stories where we hang onto hope. We are sowing seeds in a hope garden, waiting for hope to germinate and sprout. We never know what someone's story is until they share it, and I cannot force someone to do so before they're ready. If one of my colleagues is building a rapport with the youth, and I am not, that's okay. It's not a competition. It's a journey. There's that proverb, that when you set out on your journey, and the destination seems to get farther and farther away, you realize that the actual destination all along was the journey. It's like that."

As a Youth Worker, you help others to enact essential and positive change. However, the interviewer wants to see that you understand the importance of helping others when they are ready to help themselves. You must not be impatient with people, as everyone follows their path at their own pace. Talk about the ways which you help to motivate the youth in your care while also keeping in mind the critical traits of empathy and patience.

"I am not one to give up on anyone. I'll encourage that connection and wait for it. With at-risk youth, it can take time and patience for them to come around. Pressuring a person to get help before they're ready can result in them experiencing feelings of shame, and is often counterproductive, and the results are rarely long-lasting. They have to want to do the work. I am non-judgemental and show that I am available when they are ready to enact change. If they don't come around, all that I can do is continue to be supportive and encouraging. Yet, often the youth in our center come and go and come and go again until they hit their own rock bottom and decide that they are ready to ask for help. Being open and ready for that moment is the best thing I can do. In the meantime, I keep showing them I am there and allow them to conclude for themselves it's okay to ask for help when they are ready."

"Every young person has their path and timing so I rather figure out what do like doing at least I can start my motivation from that point to help gain attention from the young person."

"Motivate them by identifying their talents and skills and coach them to move forward to their future."

"I would not give up on anyone. I would make sure that I show the young person that I am there to support and help them. I would not push or shame them, but just show them that when they are ready, I am available and there to support them. I would try and motivate them by identifying certain talents that they might have."

"I think it is important to know that the youth is ready to get help. And also the reason for having no desire for getting help. I would have a conversation with the child and figure out what makes him from being helped or have no motivation. The reason for the child could be varied. For example, I met a child from my practicum. He did not want to be helped because he said he did not trust adults and mimicked what staff told him before. I believe that."

"I would try and find some form of common interest with the young person, I would also be determined to find why the young person didn't want to be helped or lacked motivation. I would listen clearly to what the young person had to say and relay this back to them so they knew that I was giving them my full time and attention to understand them. After breaking through some immediate barriers, I would then inform the young person of all the possibilities of gaining access to things or help with something and make it clear to the young person that I would personally strive my hardest to help them along the way."

Tell me about a time when you had to make a difficult decision.

"There was a troubled sixteen-year-old I was working with and we'd formed quite a bond, and I felt as if we were making a lot of progress. Then one day I did a head count of our group and realized this youth was missing. I then thought I heard a funny noise from behind the equipment shed and went to investigate and stumbled upon them using drugs. They begged me not to tell and got down on their hands and knees, crying and gripping the leg of my pants. In order to de-escalate them and let me go, as silly as it sounds, I crossed my fingers behind my back and promised I wouldn't tell. I told them to toss the drugs on the ground right there and to rejoin the group. Once we were back, and they started playing on the field, I texted our public involvement officer informing them of the situation and where they could find the packet of drugs. We then wrapped up the game, and all went back inside. As everyone went in, I asked the sixteen-year-old to wait outside with me to prevent a scene, and the public involvement officer took over from there. The youth hollered at me and cried, begging us not to inform their parents. It was hard. His parents removed them from the program, and I never saw them again. Like I said, we'd formed a bond, and that day still haunts me. It was a difficult decision... necessary, and done without hesitation, but difficult none-the-less."

As a Youth Worker, you must provide the utmost care to the underage individuals for whom you are responsible. In addition to attentive care, you will need to make challenging decisions focused on the wellbeing of these youth. Your supervisor may not always be around to help you deal with stressful situations, and in those times, it will be your responsibility to handle conflict as it arises. Show the interviewer that you can make wise decisions under pressure. Provide an example that demonstrates your ability to navigate situations by trusting your gut and taking action.

"While working alone at a drop-in youth center, an adult stranger entered the center who was intoxicated and unaware of where he was. This person spoke loudly and aggressively. I told our youth I needed to have private conversation with this individual, and I instructed them to stay in the supervisors' office until I returned. I asked them to occupy themselves by taking turns singing karaoke on the computer in the supervisors' office. The doors to the office could lock, and had a lot of windows, so I was able to keep a close eye on them while I dealt with this intoxicated individual. Then I discreetly called for help. Next, I distracted the individual, made him a cup of tea, carried on a conversation, and kept him calm until help arrived. When the situation was secure, I had a session with our youth, knowing many of them were hypersensitive and we talked about our feelings. The kids said they felt safe. After consulting with my supervisor, they agreed that under the circumstances, I handled this difficult situation with as well as one could."

"In many ways leaving my last job was a difficult decision. I had established positive working relationships with many young people. I developed a relationship of trust, and therefore it was a difficult decision to decide to leave, and in many ways, I felt guilty about leaving the role and telling the young people I worked with that this was the case."

"My experience has afforded me opportunities to learn how to be firm with my decision-making skills. For example, when I was working in a residential housing facility that housed vulnerable populations living with addiction and mental health challenges. I was helping a resident fill out his disability assistance form. I soon noticed that his energy levels were regressing and that he was drifting off to sleep. When I asked him how he's feeling, he responded that he was fine. Despite him being somewhat responsive, I suspected an opioid overdose; therefore, I reached out to another staff member to call 911 and notify authorities so that I could administer a naloxone shot.In the end, it was determined that this resident did in fact, overdose."

"At the end of one of my youth mentoring sessions, we returned back to the young person's home, and found that his mother and brothers were not home and neither was his mother's car. Immediately, the young person became extremely visibly distressed and began crying and getting frustrated. I noticed that he was very quickly becoming angrier and angrier too. I told him that his mother had probably just ducked out to the shops quickly, and that we had finished a little bit early too, and recommended that we take a walk around the block. In the meantime, I rang the program coordinator who then rang the mentee's mother, and confirmed with me that she did indeed duck out to the shops and that she was on her way home now. I told the mentee this and he began to calm down."

"While being a Senior support worker, a young person left the care home as they had a physical dispute with another child in the home. They were found at their friend's house and were refusing to return back to the home. It was my decision to tell the police to remove them and return them to the care home or to allow the young person to stay there for an overnight stay. I took time to evaluate the risk of them being at their friend's house, and also leased with their social worker, before making a decision to allow them to stay there for the night to prevent the young person returning to the home and then for the current incident to escalate or for the young person to leave the home once they returned for them to partake in risk-taking behavior."

How do you respond to stress? What are your stress-management techniques?

"I've found that physical activity is an excellent stress-reducing technique, so I also walk a lot. You can gauge my stress levels by the number of steps on my Fitbit! I will often go to the gym and work it out on a speed bag if I need to. I also find music to be therapeutic, so I play the guitar. Another helpful method is to read fiction novels, and I get to escape into the characters. Lastly, I love to cook, so I often find myself trying out a new recipe. My family and friends enjoy my kitchen creations, so this approach to stress management benefits everyone."

Each person has their tried and true ways to manage stress and practice self-care. As a Youth Worker, you will undoubtedly encounter times of high-stress. For this reason, the interviewer wants to see that you have formed a variety of healthy methods to deal with this inevitable stress. Focus your answer on your response to stress rather than diving into the details of your most stressful situations. Share what you have learned from the stress-management practices you have adopted.

"As a seasoned Youth Worker, I fully understand the value of stress management. Over the years, I've developed numerous approaches that work like a charm. I practice yoga and meditation, and I also use breathing techniques which help me wrangle in my stress as I am experiencing it. I also journal, and I will type out my thoughts and feelings out on my computer, and then I delete them. I've used this stress and thought-management technique for many years, and it helps when I am processing, and most importantly, to learn to accept the things that I cannot control, and to come to that conclusion in realtime and nip the stress in the bud."

"I take a break and relax by going for a walk or hearing music."

"If I am distressed, I like to exercise by going to the gym or attending a Jiu-Jitsu class, which I do regularly. This helps me let out any physical energy that might be building up inside. If I am emotionally exhausted, I like to journal by writing on my computer. I don't have a specific type of journaling technique, I will simply write whatever is on my mind. I find this allows myself to really articulate my thoughts and how I am feeling, and also enables a feeling of 'getting it out there'. At the moment, if I am stressed, I often take long, deep breaths."

"I deal with the stress that the job has is to leave work at work so when I get home I can focus on other things. Some things I like to do in my free time at home to relieve stress are walking outside, exercising often whether it is yoga or biking. I do mindfulness activities and see my family and friends. All these things help me to cope with the stresses that come with working in this field."

Youth Worker Interview Questions

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1. Do you work better on a team, or do you prefer to work on your own?
2. Who has had the most significant influence on you? What makes this person so influential?
3. What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to improve?
4. What are your greatest strengths? How will these strengths help you succeed as a Youth Worker?
5. How do you envision your career growth over the next 5 years?
6. How do you go about fostering healthy communication and social skills?
7. What age-appropriate activities have you led in the past?
8. If hired, how would you begin to assess the needs of the youth in our program?
9. If hired, how do you intend to make a difference with the at-risk youth in your trust and care?
10. How do you handle conflict between others? Do you have any training in de-escalation?
11. How would you respond if a child became physically aggressive with you?
12. What would you do to de-escalate a situation that is getting out of control? Give me an example of a time when you successfully did so.
13. What ideas do you have to improve our youth programs?
14. How do you respond in a crisis? Do you have crisis-management training?
15. How do you respond when you notice signs of drug abuse or other destructive behavior?
16. What do you know about our organization and its mission?
17. We conduct thorough background checks. Can you pass a criminal, education, drug check, and a physical?
18. How do you respond to negative feedback from others?
19. Youth Workers often face emotionally challenging situations. How do you manage your emotions on the job?
20. Tell me about your volunteer experience.
21. How do you manage to create relationships with boundaries?
22. Tell me about your experience being a mentor. What approach has worked well? What would you improve?
23. Take me through your experience working with high-risk youth. Do you feel well-equipped to do this job safely?
24. Do you have experience or formal training in leading and mentoring at-risk youth?
25. Tell me about your leadership experience and how it has prepared you to guide at-risk youth.
26. Tell me about a time when you influenced the outcome of a critical situation by taking the lead.
27. As a Youth Worker, what qualities are important for you to have in a supervisor?
28. How would you deal with a youth who did not want to be helped or motivated?
29. Tell me about a time when you had to make a difficult decision.
30. How do you respond to stress? What are your stress-management techniques?

Youth Worker Interview Questions

1. Do you work better on a team, or do you prefer to work on your own?

2. Who has had the most significant influence on you? What makes this person so influential?

3. What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to improve?

4. What are your greatest strengths? How will these strengths help you succeed as a Youth Worker?

5. How do you envision your career growth over the next 5 years?

6. How do you go about fostering healthy communication and social skills?

7. What age-appropriate activities have you led in the past?

8. If hired, how would you begin to assess the needs of the youth in our program?

9. If hired, how do you intend to make a difference with the at-risk youth in your trust and care?

10. How do you handle conflict between others? Do you have any training in de-escalation?

11. How would you respond if a child became physically aggressive with you?

12. What would you do to de-escalate a situation that is getting out of control? Give me an example of a time when you successfully did so.

13. What ideas do you have to improve our youth programs?

14. How do you respond in a crisis? Do you have crisis-management training?

15. How do you respond when you notice signs of drug abuse or other destructive behavior?

16. What do you know about our organization and its mission?

17. We conduct thorough background checks. Can you pass a criminal, education, drug check, and a physical?

18. How do you respond to negative feedback from others?

19. Youth Workers often face emotionally challenging situations. How do you manage your emotions on the job?

20. Tell me about your volunteer experience.

21. How do you manage to create relationships with boundaries?

22. Tell me about your experience being a mentor. What approach has worked well? What would you improve?

23. Take me through your experience working with high-risk youth. Do you feel well-equipped to do this job safely?

24. Do you have experience or formal training in leading and mentoring at-risk youth?

25. Tell me about your leadership experience and how it has prepared you to guide at-risk youth.

26. Tell me about a time when you influenced the outcome of a critical situation by taking the lead.

27. As a Youth Worker, what qualities are important for you to have in a supervisor?

28. How would you deal with a youth who did not want to be helped or motivated?

29. Tell me about a time when you had to make a difficult decision.

30. How do you respond to stress? What are your stress-management techniques?