20 AARP Interview Questions and Answers

As people live longer and healthier lives, the need for products and services geared towards those 50 and over is increasing. AARP is at the forefront of this revolution, offering members a wide range of benefits and services.

If you’re looking for a job with AARP, you can expect to be asked some specific questions about your experience working with older adults. In this article, we’ll give you some examples of AARP interview questions and how to answer them.

AARP Interview Process

The interview process at AARP can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, like an internship, there may only be two interviews, while other positions, like a manager role, may have four or more interviews. The difficulty of the interviews also varies depending on the position. Some positions may have mostly behavioral questions, while others may focus more on technical skills. Overall, the interview process can be long, and it is not uncommon for candidates to wait several months to hear back about a decision.

1. Tell me about a time you had to solve an ethical dilemma.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your moral compass and how you make decisions that affect others. When answering, it can be helpful to provide a specific example of an ethical dilemma you faced in the past and how you resolved it.

Example: “In my previous role as a financial advisor, I had a client who was interested in investing their money into a company that sold supplements for anti-aging purposes. While I knew these products were not regulated by the FDA, I also knew they could help my client feel better and live longer. So, I decided to recommend the product to my client but only after explaining all of the risks involved.”

2. How would you handle leading a team that has low morale?

AARP is a large organization that has many employees. The interviewer wants to know how you would handle leading a team of people who are unhappy with their work environment or leadership style. Use examples from your past experience where you helped improve morale and the overall happiness of your team members.

Example: “I have worked in an office setting for over 20 years, so I understand what it’s like to be part of a team that isn’t happy with its leader. In my last position, I had a manager who was very strict about our deadlines and didn’t allow us to take breaks during the day. This made some of my colleagues feel stressed out and anxious.

I approached my manager about this issue and asked if we could change up our schedule to include more breaks throughout the day. She agreed, and after implementing these changes, my team felt happier and more productive.”

3. What qualities do you think are necessary for working with older adults?

This question is an opportunity to show your understanding of the unique challenges that come with working with older adults. You can use this question as a way to demonstrate your empathy and compassion for others, which are valuable qualities in any role.

Example: “I think it’s important to be patient when working with older adults because they may have different ways of doing things than younger people. I also believe it’s essential to listen to their concerns and ideas, even if you don’t agree with them. It’s important to respect everyone regardless of age or background.”

4. Describe how you worked effectively under pressure.

AARP is a fast-paced environment where you may be required to work under pressure. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle the demands of their organization. In your answer, explain how you stay calm and focused when working under tight deadlines. Show that you have experience with time management and prioritization skills.

Example: “I’ve been in my current position for five years now, but I still remember what it was like to start out as an entry-level employee. When I first started, I had no idea how to prioritize tasks or manage my time effectively. However, after some training from my supervisor, I learned how to use my time wisely. Now, I am confident in my ability to meet deadlines while also maintaining quality standards.”

5. Do you have any experience managing volunteers?

AARP is a nonprofit organization that relies heavily on volunteers to help with its many programs and initiatives. The interviewer wants to know if you have any experience managing volunteers, as this will be an important part of the job. If you do not have direct volunteer management experience, you can talk about how you managed other types of teams or projects in your past roles.

Example: “I’ve never had the opportunity to manage volunteers before, but I am very comfortable working with people who are new to their jobs. In my last role, I was responsible for training new employees and helping them get up to speed quickly. I find that I’m good at explaining processes clearly and providing support when needed.”

6. Why AARP and why now?

This question is a great opportunity to show your passion for the organization and its mission. It’s also an excellent way to demonstrate how you can contribute to AARP’s success.

Example: “I’ve always been passionate about helping people, especially those who are underserved or marginalized. I believe that AARP is leading the charge in this area by providing resources and support to older adults who may not have access to them otherwise. As someone who has spent my career working with seniors, I know firsthand how important it is to provide these services and resources to help our aging population live their best lives.”

7. Describe your relationship management skills.

AARP is a large organization with many employees. Your interviewer wants to know that you can manage relationships effectively and efficiently. Use examples from your previous experience to show how you have used relationship management skills in the past.

Example: “I am very good at managing my time, which helps me stay organized and on top of all my projects. I also use communication tools like email and phone calls to keep in touch with my team members. This allows me to be aware of what’s going on within the company and address any issues before they become larger problems.”

8. When was the last time you changed someone’s opinion about something, how did you do it?

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and how you can influence others. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the steps you took to change someone’s opinion and what that person thought before you started working with them.

Example: “When I was in college, my roommate had some pretty negative views on people who were older than him. He would make jokes about older people all the time, but I didn’t think it was appropriate. So, one day when he made another joke, I told him that his comments hurt me because I am an older student. After that conversation, he apologized and never made those kinds of jokes again.”

9. Have you ever used social media in the workplace?

Social media is a popular way to connect with people online, and AARP uses social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to share information about its programs. An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience using social media in the workplace. If you have used social media at work before, consider sharing an example of how it helped you do your job well.

Example: “I’ve used social media in my previous jobs to help me communicate with coworkers and clients. For instance, I worked as a customer service representative for a tech company where we communicated with customers via email and phone calls. However, many customers preferred to use social media to reach us because they could get answers to their questions faster. So, I started monitoring our brand’s social media accounts so that I could answer questions from customers there.”

10. What is one thing you learned from a previous manager?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your work ethic and how you learn from others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something that helped you grow professionally or personally.

Example: “My previous manager was very encouraging and always gave me positive feedback when I did well on projects. She also taught me how important it is to give constructive criticism in a way that helps employees improve their performance. This has been especially helpful as an HR professional because I know how to deliver difficult news while still being empathetic.”

11. What made you choose this career path?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the work you do. It also gives the interviewer insight into what inspired you to pursue this career and how it has impacted your life. When answering, be sure to highlight any personal experiences that led you to choose this career path.

Example: “I chose this career because I have always been passionate about helping others. In high school, I volunteered at an assisted living facility where I helped residents with their daily activities. This experience made me realize how rewarding it can be to help people live more comfortably. Ever since then, I knew I wanted to become a nurse.”

12. If we offer you this position, what will be your greatest contribution here?

This question is a great way to show your enthusiasm for the role and how you plan to make an impact. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what attracted you to AARP in the first place. Consider sharing some of the values that drew you to the company and how you hope to uphold them as an employee.

Example: “I am so excited to join AARP because I believe in its mission. The organization’s commitment to helping people live their best lives after 50 is something I feel passionate about. If we offer me this position, my greatest contribution will be my ability to help others find ways to stay active and healthy. I have always been someone who enjoys helping others, and I would love to use my skills to benefit the AARP community.”

13. How would you go about motivating employees who are not meeting their goals?

AARP is a company that values its employees and wants to ensure they are happy in their work. This question can help the interviewer determine how you would motivate your team members if you were hired for this role. Use examples from past experiences where you motivated others or helped them achieve goals.

Example: “I believe that everyone has the ability to be successful, so I would first want to find out what was preventing my employee from meeting their goals. Then, I would try to come up with solutions to help them overcome these obstacles. For example, if an employee was struggling to meet sales quotas, I might offer to train them on new selling techniques or provide additional resources to help them succeed.”

14. How would you describe yourself as a leader?

AARP is a leader in the senior services industry, and your interviewer may ask this question to learn more about how you would fit into their organization. To answer this question, think of a time when you were leading a project or initiative at work. Explain what motivated you to take on that role and what skills you used to be successful.

Example: “I am an excellent communicator who values teamwork. In my last position as a customer service representative for a major telecommunications company, I noticed that our customers had trouble understanding some of our products. So, I volunteered to lead a team of employees to create a video tutorial series explaining our most popular products. We worked together to develop a script, film and edit the videos and then uploaded them to our website.”

15. Tell us about a time when you went above and beyond the call of duty at work.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go the extra mile for your employer. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of an example from your previous job where you went above and beyond what was expected of you.

Example: “At my last job, I had a client who called me every day asking about their account. After a few weeks of this, I decided to call them back and ask if they would like to schedule a time to meet with me in person so we could discuss their account together. They agreed, and when we met, I discovered that they were having trouble navigating our website. We spent some time going over how to use the site more effectively, and after that meeting, they never called again.”

16. Do you consider yourself successful? How do you define success?

This question is designed to determine your self-confidence and how you view success. AARP wants employees who are confident in their abilities, so it’s important to answer this question honestly. You can talk about a time when you were successful or give an example of what success means to you.

Example: “I consider myself successful because I’m always striving for more. I know that there’s always something new to learn and ways to improve my skills. I’ve been working toward becoming a better leader, and I think I have made some improvements over the last few years. I also want to be a role model for others, which is why I try to set a good example at work and in my personal life.”

17. Give an example of a time where you had to explain complicated information to a customer.

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and how you can help others understand complex information. When answering this question, try to think of an example that shows your ability to explain complicated concepts in simple terms.

Example: “When I worked as a financial advisor, I had a client who was interested in investing their money but didn’t know where to start. I explained the different types of investments they could make and helped them decide which one would be best for their situation. They ended up choosing a mutual fund, and after two years, they saw a return on their investment.”

18. Are you comfortable talking about political issues with people who may disagree with you?

AARP is a politically active organization that advocates for the rights of older Americans. As such, it’s important to be able to discuss political issues with people who may disagree with you and still maintain civility.

Example: “I am passionate about politics and have been since I was in high school. I’ve always enjoyed debating different viewpoints because it helps me learn more about other perspectives. However, I also understand that there are some topics where we will never agree, so I try to focus on finding common ground instead.”

19. What does integrity mean to you?

AARP is a non-profit organization that works to improve the lives of people over 50. They want employees who have integrity and are honest in their work. When you answer this question, explain what integrity means to you and how it has helped you succeed in your career.

Example: “Integrity means being honest with yourself and others at all times. I’ve always strived to be an honest person, which has led me to make ethical decisions throughout my career. For example, when I worked as a financial advisor, I was asked by a client if they should invest in a particular stock. I told them that I didn’t know enough about the company to give advice on whether or not to buy the stock. The client ended up losing money because they invested in the stock without my advice.”

20. Are you passionate about helping people age successfully?

AARP is a nonprofit organization that focuses on helping people age successfully. They want to hire passionate employees who are excited about the work they do and how it impacts others. Your answer should show your interest in this cause and why you’re qualified for the job.

Example: “I am passionate about helping people age successfully because I have seen first-hand what an impact it can make on someone’s life. My grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease when she was only 60 years old, which was devastating for our family. However, AARP helped us find resources and support groups where we could talk to other families going through similar situations. This gave my family hope and made us feel less alone.”