Tell me about a time you felt overwhelmed at work. What steps did you take to ensure that you were able to meet the expectations of your role while managing the stress of your workload?

"When COVID initially hit, the Zoo I worked at implemented new cleaning requirements on top of normal responsibilities. While it was necessary for the safety of staff and guests, it was overwhelming. I did what I had to do to get through it. Other staff members pitched in to assist me when their workload was lower, and I did the same for them. Eventually, we developed a system, and it became the new normal for us."

The interviewer wants to determine how well you handle stress. Show the interviewer that you can maintain professionalism and use time management skills and prioritization to get your work completed, even when you get overwhelmed at work.

Think about a time you felt stressed due to your workload. Talk about how you remained professional and the process you used to prioritize how you could best complete your tasks.

Tell me about a time you went above and beyond the expectations of your position to care for an animal.

"At one point, I was temporarily laid off. At that time, there were a few animals that I worked with that responded very well to me but not to other staff members. While I was laid off, I volunteered to come in for a few hours each day to continue to work with those animals. I did not want to see those animals stressed or experience setbacks while I was not there to care for them."

The interviewer wants to hear that this role is more than just a job to you and that you are passionate about working with animals. Demonstrate that you will go beyond your day-to-day duties within reason to care for the animals that you are responsible for.

Think about a time you went beyond your normal responsibilities to care for an animal. Talk about why you felt the need to go beyond what was required of your role at that particular time.

Do you have a mentor in the Zoology industry?

"I do have a mentor. One of my college professors often advises me on challenging career issues and career opportunities. I have looked up to him for years because he shares a similar passion and work ethic as mine."

The interviewer wants to determine if you have looked up to anyone in particular during your career. Your answer will give the interviewer insight into the type of leader you benefit from.

This position requires some travel for training and zoology exposure. Are you willing to travel if required?

"I am comfortable traveling for this role. I am looking forward to traveling to other facilities and continuing to grow my skillset by learning for other Zoo facilities."

The interviewer wants to determine if travel requirements will deter you from accepting the role you are interviewing for. The interviewer wants to gauge how much travel you would feel comfortable with if you were to take the position.

Be honest when answering this question so that both you and your employer are prepared. Discuss how much travel would be required and if that need is something that you are comfortable with. If you have any questions or concerns about the travel requirements, discuss that now.

How do you best learn the tasks of a new position?

"I learn best by having a mentor that I can ask questions or bounce ideas off. If it is about policy or procedures, I learn best by reading and being able to resort back to the information if necessary."

The interviewer asks this question to determine what type of training will be most successful for you. Some individuals learn best by lecture, some by hands-on learning, and some are more visual. The interviewer wants to understand which type of learning would be best for you if you are hired.

Think about your previous positions and how you learned the tasks of your new roles. Talk about the training methods that were most successful for you, and if there is a way that does not help you learn, discuss that as well.

Talk about your background in Zoology research and what resources you have used.

"I have done a great deal of research throughout my career. I hold three different professional memberships that provide continuous information in the Zoology field. I also attend two seminars annually from my college university, where I gain a great deal of information that I take back to my team. If I come across something that I have not yet learned, I often reach out to a team of zoologists from Pennsylvania University to ask if they could provide insight. I also hold a membership for national zoologists, where I can ask other members for information."

The interviewer wants to know that you have had a background in research. Discuss any resources you are familiar with and the research projects you have completed throughout your schooling and your career.

Think about how you have gone about researching the animals in your care. Discuss the research sources you have used or have access to at this time.

What class did you most enjoy in college and why?

"I most enjoyed my Anatomy class in college. I enjoyed getting to know each piece of the body and what it does and how different parts of our bodies can affect other areas."

The interviewer wants to know the ways you best learn and what you enjoy learning about. The interviewer will use your answer to this question to determine how you will most successfully learn the tasks of your new role if hired.

Think about the classes you enjoyed taking in college. Discuss what you liked most about that particular class and why you enjoyed it more than other classes.

Tell me about your educational background and work experience as it relates to Zoology.

"My first job was in a pet store, and that led to my desire to pursue a career in Zoology. I attended the University of Pennsylvania and graduated with my Zoology degree in 2016. I have been working for my current employer since shortly after graduation. I also did an internship at a local Zoo in Pennsylvania."

The interviewer wants to hear an overview of your educational history and professional background in the industry. Your answer to this question will allow the interviewer to gain insight into your qualifications concerning the position you are interviewing for.

Talk about your educational background and where you obtained your degree. You can also talk about any internships that you completed in Zoology. Then, speak about your professional work experience beginning with your first position out of college and through all of your roles, including your current or most recent role.

What do you enjoy most about your current role? What do you enjoy the least?

"I enjoy the relationships I have built with some of the animals that I work with and being able to help them adjust to different habitats. I also enjoy working with Zoologists from other facilities since I am responsible for the intake of any new animals. It allows me to get to learn from others and build relationships. I least enjoy that I at times have to make hard decisions involving animals. While I always make the best decision for the animal, those decisions can at times weigh on you."

The interviewer wants to understand what makes you excited about your role and what you would rather not be responsible for. Your answers to these questions will help the interviewer to determine if you will be a good fit for the role or if you will be unhappy in the position.

Think about your favorite parts of your job and talk about what you most enjoy and why. Then, discuss which part of your role you are not as happy to complete and why you feel that way.

Have you ever been involved in any fundraising efforts for animal-related causes?

"I have done a lot of animal-related fundraising. The zoo I work for does an annual fundraising event that I help coordinate. I have also done fundraising events with nearby zoos by participating in a 5K and selling memberships. Our zoo also does trick or treating for children and a Christmas lights display. I do a lot of the coordinating for that event, which is funded by donations only."

The interviewer wants to determine if you have used your free time to benefit animals. Your answer to this question tells the interviewer if you have a passion for animals that continues outside your work life. At times, you may need to assist with fundraising as part of your role with their company.

Talk about any animal-related fundraising events that you have participated in, both during work and in your free time. Explain why you participated in those particular fundraising events.

What has been your favorite animal to work with and why?

"I would have to say my favorite animals have been wild cats. They are so fast and powerful, and it is amazing to see. They are also incredibly playful at times."

Your answer to this question will give the interviewer insight into your personality and let them know what you enjoy most about the animals that you will be responsible for in your new role if hired.

Think about all of the animals that you have worked with throughout your career. Talk about which animal you enjoyed working with most, and discuss why you favor working with that particular animal.

What is your greatest weakness?

"My greatest weakness is that at times I take on too much, and it can be overwhelming. If I turn down a project or task, I sometimes feel that I am letting my team or the animals that I am responsible for down. I am working on asking for help from my peers when needed."

The interviewer wants you to take ownership of an area that could use improvement. The interviewer will determine if this weakness would be an obstacle to your success with their business.

Talk about an area you have noticed needs improvement. Avoid cliche answers like, "I work too hard." Take ownership of an area that you could work on and speak about the action plan you have in place to work towards improving this weakness.

What do you believe is your greatest strength?

"I believe my greatest strength is my ability to easily build trust with animals and people. I am a calm and genuine person. I do not generally have conflict with others or with any of the animals I work with."

The interviewer wants to hear what your best quality is and how it can be used in the role you are interviewing for. The interviewer will use your answer to determine if your strengths will benefit the company.

Think about the strong points that stood out in your previous positions. Talk about what you feel the most positive thing about you is. Demonstrate how that positive factor can benefit this company and the role you are interviewing for.

Where do you see your zoology career taking you in the next few years?

"In the next five years, I want to grow my skillset and knowledge. I hope to get the opportunity to work with some animals that I have not yet worked with. I also hope to be in a training position so I can pass on some of the knowledge I have obtained throughout my career."

The interviewer wants to know your plans in relation to Zoology. Assure the interviewer that you are looking for longevity with the company and would like to continue to grow with them.

Talk about the particular goals you are looking to accomplish in the next few years in your career. If you are planning to continue your education or grow into a leadership role, this would be a great time to discuss those goals.

What makes you the ideal Zoologist for our company?

"I am always happy to come into work because I genuinely enjoy what I do. I work hard, and I build trust with my peers and the animals I work with. I have a great deal of experience working with a wide range of animals, including water animals, which is not easy to come by. I believe that my experience would be a great asset to your zoo facility."

The interviewer wants to know what sets you apart from other candidates interviewing for this role. Talk about any specific training, educational background, or work experience that you have that makes you better qualified for this particular role than the others they are considering.

Talk about any special skills or educational background that you have pertaining to Zoology. Consider your work experience and if you have obtained skills that can transfer into this role that would benefit the company.

If I were to contact your current supervisor and ask what area you could most improve upon, what would he/she say?

"I honestly think that if you were to contact my supervisor, he would say that I could most work on asking for help when I need it. I tend to take on a lot at once, which can sometimes lead to working additional hours. I am exempt, so it does not affect the company in a bad way, but I like to make sure that I am doing quality work. I know that if I were to ask one of the newer Zoologists for assistance, it would alleviate some of the extra time I put in while also allowing them to gain some additional experience. I am actively working on making progress in this area."

The interviewer wants to know that you are aware that you have areas that could use improvement. The interviewer also wants to hear that you are working towards improving your performance.

Think about one-on-one meetings or performance reviews you have had with your supervisor. Discuss a particular area of improvement that has been brought to your attention and describe how you are actively working towards improving in this area.

Why have you chosen to pursue a career in Zoology?

"Growing up, I was always interested in animals and how they live, how to care for them, and their wellbeing. I worked at a pet store for my first job during high school. I enjoyed learning about all of the animals I was responsible for. I later worked at a small zoo and aquarium in my community. I loved my job and learned so much. I chose to go to college for Zoology so I could care for animals and have a larger responsibility for them."

The interviewer wants to understand why you chose a career in Zoology and why you have a passion for the field. From your answer, the interviewer will determine if and why you have a passion for working with animals.

Talk about what made you pursue a career in this field. Avoid cliche answers like, "I have always loved animals." Describe what steered you in the direction of Zoology and why you have such a passion for this career.

As a zoologist, are there any animals you are not willing or able to work with?

"There are not many animals that I am not comfortable working with. I started working with animals at a young age, and I am familiar and patient with most animals. If I am ever required to work with an animal that I have not worked with in the past, I do my research on how to best gain that animal's trust and properly care for the animal."

The interviewer wants to know if there are any animals that you do not feel comfortable working with or animals that you prefer not to work with. Your answer will help the interviewer to determine if you will be a good fit for this role.

If there are any animals that you are uncomfortable working with or prefer not to work with, discuss that with the interviewer. Talk about your reasons for not wanting to work with those particular animals, and be honest if the requirement to work with those animals would be a deal-breaker for you.

If being a zoologist was not an option, what alternate career path would you have taken?

"If I was not able to pursue a career in Zoology, I would likely have gone to school to be a veterinarian. I enjoy working with a variety of animals, and I would want to do that in any position."

The interviewer wants to know what other career options you have entertained. Your answer tells the interviewer what else you feel you do well outside of your role as a Zoologist. The interviewer may consider using this interest in your role with their company.

Discuss any other career paths you have considered. Discuss why you felt those careers may be a good fit for you but ultimately decided not to take that path and pursued Zoology instead.

How do you measure your success in your career as a Zoologist?

"I measure my success on how well the animals are doing. If the animals are not doing well, I am not doing my job well."

The interviewer wants to understand what makes you feel like you have done a good job. Give the interviewer insight into the ways you find your career rewarding.

Talk about what makes you feel like you are doing a good job in your role. Discuss the aspects of your position that give you a sense of fulfillment.

What motivates you to be the best zoologist you can be?

"Ultimately, knowing that the lives of animals are in my hands is all the motivation that I need. It is such a rewarding feeling to see the animals well cared for and happy each day."

The interviewer wants to understand the aspects of your role that make you excited about a career in Zoology. In your answer, show your passion for your career and the animals you work with.

Talk about the aspects of your position that make you excited to go to work and do a good job. Discuss which parts of your role are rewarding to you and what makes you want to continue growing in your career in Zoology.

What do you know about our zoo facility? What made you want to apply to work with our facility?

"I have done a great deal of research on different zoo facilities. I hoped to find a facility that works with different types of wild cats. When I came across your facility, I was shocked at the number of wild cats that you care for, and I was very excited to see that you were hiring a Zoologist. I could not pass up the opportunity to apply because it seems like the perfect fit."

The interviewer wants to know that you have done your research and understand the responsibilities of the role you are interviewing for. The interviewer also wants to know that you are familiar with the services their facility offers and the type of animals you would be working with.

Talk about the research you have done on the company's website. Discuss the types of animals that you would be excited to work with. You can also talk about why you chose to apply for a role with this company over other openings at competing facilities.

What has been the most significant work you have done in your career as a zoologist to date?

"The most significant work I have done was with a hostile gorilla. Others in the Zoo were uncomfortable working with him, and he became increasingly aggressive. I was able to gain a little trust from him and give him a wellness check. Others at the Zoo wanted to send him to another facility, but it turned out that he just had an ear infection. Once he was treated, he was completely different and showed no signs of aggression within a few weeks."

The interviewer wants to hear that your work is important to you and that you find your career meaningful. The interviewer asks this question to determine what motivates your work.

Talk about something you worked on that was important to you. This can be something that you worked on in college or something you did for an employer. Explain why it was so meaningful to you.

Talk about a time that you demonstrated leadership skills in the workplace.

"When I first started working in my current role, the Zoo opened a penguin area. One other Zoologist and I had worked with penguins in the past. We trained the entire staff on how to care for penguins, and we were on call for the first month for any questions."

The interviewer wants to know that when necessary, you are comfortable taking charge and leading others on your team. At times, you may have knowledge that someone else on your team has not yet obtained, and the interviewer wants to hear that you are willing to lead when needed.

Think about a time you needed to take charge of your team. Talk about the steps you took to successfully lead your team and describe the outcome of the situation.

As a zoologist, why is it important to closely follow policy and direction?

"The most careless mistake can cost you your life in this industry. It is extremely important to follow the directions of senior staff members and abide by policy for my own safety, the safety of the animals, and the safety of other staff members and Zoo guests."

The interviewer wants to know that you understand why following policies and procedures as a Zoologist is important and that safety can be jeopardized if they are not taken seriously. Show the interviewer that you take policies seriously follow directions well.

Talk about your prior training involving policies that were put in place for safety reasons. Discuss why you believe these policies and guidelines are put into place and why it is so important to follow the directions you are given by your superiors.

What is your process for making difficult decisions when it comes to an animal's care?

"My process is to evaluate what is best for the animal's health and wellbeing and the safety of other animals at the facility and the staff members. Sometimes really tough decisions need to be made, and while it weighs on you a bit, at the end of the day, I strive to make the best decision for the animals and staff."

The interviewer wants to know you understand that there are tough parts of being a zoologist and that, at times, you will need to make decisions that may feel difficult but are in the best interest of the animal. The interviewer will use your answer to determine if you can handle those difficult choices. Explain the process you use to determine what is best for the animals you care for.

Think about a time you had to make a difficult decision about an animal's health or safety. Discuss the steps you took to determine what was ultimately best for that animal and describe the outcome.

Have you ever had (or witnessed) an incident or a close call with an animal that jeopardized your safety or the safety of someone else? Tell me about it.

"I witnessed a close call once when a staff member was careless while working with a tiger cub. The staff member did not realize that the mother tiger was nearby and was very anxious about how he was handling the cub. I went in to relieve him because the tiger was beginning to show signs of aggression. I believe if I was not there at that time, he would have been seriously injured or worse."

The interviewer wants to hear if you have been in a situation where your safety was put at risk. While safety concerns involving an animal are never ideal, they can occur, and the interviewer wants to know that you are prepared should a safety issue arise.

Talk about a time you faced or witnessed a colleague face a safety concern involving an animal. Discuss the methods you used to deescalate the problem and ensure that staff and animals were safe.

Talk about a challenge you faced in the workplace and how you were able to overcome that challenge.

"I was once responsible for working with a premature chimp. The mother of that chimp was having a hard time getting him to eat. I needed to bottle feed the chimp, which was not the hardest part. I also had to establish trust with the mother so that she knew that I was not there to harm the baby. I made sure to stay in her sight and that she was comfortable and calm before starting to feed him. After a few days, she looked forward to seeing me because she knew I was there to help."

The interviewer wants to know you will handle yourself professionally if faced with a challenge in the workplace. The interviewer also wants to hear that you will face challenges in the workplace rather than avoid them.

Think about a time you were faced with a challenge in the workplace. Talk about the steps you took to maintain professionalism, stay on task, and meet your deadlines. Mention what you learned from that challenge so that you would be better prepared when facing a similar challenge in the future.

Describe a difficult project you have had as a zoologist and how you were able to overcome the challenges of that project.

"In college, I took an internship at a local zoo where I was responsible for getting incoming animals acclimated. I had a giraffe come into our zoo that had serious separation anxiety and refused to eat at all. After a few days, it was extremely concerning. I worked with one of the senior staff members to administer medication and provide nutritional shakes when he was given water since he was not refusing liquids. Within a few days, his appetite grew, and he became much more comfortable interacting with staff and other animals."

The interviewer wants to know that you understand that working with animals can at times be unpredictable and challenging. As a zoologist, you need to work well under pressure and maintain professionalism in a challenging environment.

Talk about a time you worked on a difficult project or with a challenging animal. Describe the steps you took to overcome the challenge and what you learned from it.

Do you feel that you work well as part of a team?

"I work well with team members. You spend a large majority of your time at work, so it is important to build healthy relationships with the individuals you work with. I enjoy helping and having others to bounce ideas off of."

Zoologists often work as part of a team of professionals. The interviewer wants to be sure that you can collaborate with other professionals when it comes to the care and study of animals.

Talk about why you feel you work well as part of a team. Discuss any prior positions you have held where you successfully worked as part of a team with other zoology professionals.

Zoologist Interview Questions

Go Back

1. Tell me about a time you felt overwhelmed at work. What steps did you take to ensure that you were able to meet the expectations of your role while managing the stress of your workload?
2. Tell me about a time you went above and beyond the expectations of your position to care for an animal.
3. Do you have a mentor in the Zoology industry?
4. This position requires some travel for training and zoology exposure. Are you willing to travel if required?
5. How do you best learn the tasks of a new position?
6. Talk about your background in Zoology research and what resources you have used.
7. What class did you most enjoy in college and why?
8. Tell me about your educational background and work experience as it relates to Zoology.
9. What do you enjoy most about your current role? What do you enjoy the least?
10. Have you ever been involved in any fundraising efforts for animal-related causes?
11. What has been your favorite animal to work with and why?
12. What is your greatest weakness?
13. What do you believe is your greatest strength?
14. Where do you see your zoology career taking you in the next few years?
15. What makes you the ideal Zoologist for our company?
16. If I were to contact your current supervisor and ask what area you could most improve upon, what would he/she say?
17. Why have you chosen to pursue a career in Zoology?
18. As a zoologist, are there any animals you are not willing or able to work with?
19. If being a zoologist was not an option, what alternate career path would you have taken?
20. How do you measure your success in your career as a Zoologist?
21. What motivates you to be the best zoologist you can be?
22. What do you know about our zoo facility? What made you want to apply to work with our facility?
23. What has been the most significant work you have done in your career as a zoologist to date?
24. Talk about a time that you demonstrated leadership skills in the workplace.
25. As a zoologist, why is it important to closely follow policy and direction?
26. What is your process for making difficult decisions when it comes to an animal's care?
27. Have you ever had (or witnessed) an incident or a close call with an animal that jeopardized your safety or the safety of someone else? Tell me about it.
28. Talk about a challenge you faced in the workplace and how you were able to overcome that challenge.
29. Describe a difficult project you have had as a zoologist and how you were able to overcome the challenges of that project.
30. Do you feel that you work well as part of a team?

Zoologist Interview Questions

1. Tell me about a time you felt overwhelmed at work. What steps did you take to ensure that you were able to meet the expectations of your role while managing the stress of your workload?

2. Tell me about a time you went above and beyond the expectations of your position to care for an animal.

3. Do you have a mentor in the Zoology industry?

4. This position requires some travel for training and zoology exposure. Are you willing to travel if required?

5. How do you best learn the tasks of a new position?

6. Talk about your background in Zoology research and what resources you have used.

7. What class did you most enjoy in college and why?

8. Tell me about your educational background and work experience as it relates to Zoology.

9. What do you enjoy most about your current role? What do you enjoy the least?

10. Have you ever been involved in any fundraising efforts for animal-related causes?

11. What has been your favorite animal to work with and why?

12. What is your greatest weakness?

13. What do you believe is your greatest strength?

14. Where do you see your zoology career taking you in the next few years?

15. What makes you the ideal Zoologist for our company?

16. If I were to contact your current supervisor and ask what area you could most improve upon, what would he/she say?

17. Why have you chosen to pursue a career in Zoology?

18. As a zoologist, are there any animals you are not willing or able to work with?

19. If being a zoologist was not an option, what alternate career path would you have taken?

20. How do you measure your success in your career as a Zoologist?

21. What motivates you to be the best zoologist you can be?

22. What do you know about our zoo facility? What made you want to apply to work with our facility?

23. What has been the most significant work you have done in your career as a zoologist to date?

24. Talk about a time that you demonstrated leadership skills in the workplace.

25. As a zoologist, why is it important to closely follow policy and direction?

26. What is your process for making difficult decisions when it comes to an animal's care?

27. Have you ever had (or witnessed) an incident or a close call with an animal that jeopardized your safety or the safety of someone else? Tell me about it.

28. Talk about a challenge you faced in the workplace and how you were able to overcome that challenge.

29. Describe a difficult project you have had as a zoologist and how you were able to overcome the challenges of that project.

30. Do you feel that you work well as part of a team?