20 American Cancer Society Interview Questions and Answers

The American Cancer Society is one of the largest and most well-known cancer organizations in the world. They are a nonprofit organization that funds and supports cancer research, provides education and support to cancer patients and their families, and advocates for public health policies to prevent cancer.

If you are interviewing for a position at the American Cancer Society, you can expect to be asked questions about your knowledge of cancer, your experience with fundraising or working with volunteers, and your passion for the mission of the organization. You may also be asked questions about your customer service or public speaking skills, as well as your ability to handle sensitive information with compassion and confidentiality.

Preparing for your interview with the American Cancer Society by familiarizing yourself with their mission and values, and by practicing your answers to common interview questions, will help you make a strong impression and increase your chances of being hired.

American Cancer Society Interview Process

The interview process at American Cancer Society can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone interview and one in-person interview. For some positions, you may also be required to take an assessment test. Overall, the interview process is fairly standard and straightforward.

1. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. Employers ask this question because they want to know what your strengths are so that you can use them on the job and how you plan to improve any weaknesses. When answering this question, think about which skills you have that will help you succeed in this role and which ones you need to work on.

Example: “My biggest strength is my ability to multitask. I am able to manage many projects at once while still meeting deadlines. My weakness is that sometimes I get overwhelmed with too much work. In these situations, I try to delegate tasks to other employees or take breaks when needed.”

2. If a volunteer asked you to do something that was outside of company policy, what would you do?

This question is an opportunity to show your leadership skills and ability to make decisions. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you had to make a decision that was outside of company policy but still benefited the organization or its volunteers.

Example: “In my previous role as a marketing manager for a small business, I worked with a volunteer who wanted to use our logo on their website without paying for it. While we did have a policy against using our logos in non-approved ways, I decided to allow them to use the logo because they were a loyal volunteer who helped us reach many people through their website. We ended up creating a contract where they paid us $100 per month for the use of our logo.”

3. Describe a time when you worked with a difficult client or customer. How did you handle it?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you would handle a challenging situation with their organization’s clients or customers. In your answer, try to describe the steps you took to resolve the issue and show that you can be empathetic when working with others.

Example: “When I worked as an event planner for a large company, I had a client who was very demanding. She wanted everything to be perfect at her daughter’s sweet sixteen party, including the food, decorations and entertainment. At first, I felt overwhelmed by her requests, but I tried to remain calm and focused on my goal of making sure she was happy with our services.

I researched different catering options and found one that met all of her requirements while staying within budget. I also made sure to communicate with her regularly so she knew we were doing everything we could to make her daughter’s party special.”

4. Tell me about a time when you had to work in a fast paced environment and how you handled it.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to work in a high-pressure environment. This can be an important skill for employees of the American Cancer Society, as they often have many tasks to complete each day and need to prioritize their time effectively. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you worked under pressure and how you managed it successfully.

Example: “When I was working at my previous job, we had a very busy season that required us to work overtime on several occasions. While I did find these extra hours challenging at times, I knew that it was important to get everything done so that our clients could receive the best service possible. To manage the workload, I prioritized my tasks and delegated some responsibilities to other team members when needed.”

5. Why do you want to work for the American Cancer Society?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your passion for this role. It’s important to show that you’re passionate about helping people who are affected by cancer and want to make a difference in their lives.

Example: “I’ve always been interested in science, so when I learned about the American Cancer Society, I was inspired by all of the work they do to help find cures for cancer. I would love to be part of an organization that makes such a big impact on the world. I also think it’s important to support organizations that give back to the community, and ACS does just that.”

6. Do you have any experience working with cancer patients or survivors?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with this type of work and how you might fit into their organization. If you have worked with cancer patients or survivors in a previous role, share what you did to support them. If you haven’t had direct experience working with these individuals, you can talk about how you would approach supporting them if given the opportunity.

Example: “I’ve never directly worked with cancer patients or survivors, but I am passionate about helping people who are going through difficult times. In my last position as an administrative assistant at a hospital, I helped create a program that provided free transportation for cancer patients so they could get to and from appointments without having to worry about getting there on time.”

7. Have you ever been responsible for training volunteers?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you can help others succeed. Use examples from past experiences where you helped volunteers understand a task or goal, and show the interviewer that you’re willing to train new employees in the future.

Example: “In my last role as an event planner for a local nonprofit, I was responsible for training volunteers on how to set up tables at events. I created a step-by-step guide with pictures of each table setup so volunteers could reference it when they needed help. This process helped me develop my communication skills while also helping other volunteers feel confident in their tasks.”

8. Tell us about a time where you were able to use persuasion to achieve a goal.

The American Cancer Society is a non-profit organization that relies on donations to fund their research and programs. The hiring manager may ask this question to learn more about your ability to persuade others to donate money or volunteer for the organization. Use examples from previous jobs where you were able to convince someone to take action.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for convincing donors to give larger donations than they had in the past. I started by reaching out to them via email and phone calls to introduce myself and explain why I wanted to speak with them. Then, I asked them questions about how they first heard about our organization and what drew them to it. From there, I shared some of the ways we have helped people like them in the past.”

9. What is your management style?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would interact with your team members. Your management style is a reflection of your personality and leadership skills, so it’s important to be honest about what works best for you.

Example: “I believe in being an approachable manager who encourages my team members to ask questions when they need help or have concerns. I also think it’s important to provide regular feedback to my employees so that they know how their work is progressing and if there are any areas where they could improve. In my last role, I had a small team of three people, but we met once a week to discuss our progress on projects and share ideas.”

10. Explain a project or idea (not necessarily your own) that was implemented primarily because of your efforts.

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and ability to influence others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the idea or project you helped implement and how it positively impacted the organization or company.

Example: “At my previous job, I noticed that our social media accounts weren’t reaching as many people as they could. So, I suggested we create more content for each platform and post at least once per day. This would allow us to reach more people who were interested in learning about our services and programs. The marketing team agreed with me, so we started creating new content every day. After two months of posting daily, we saw an increase in website traffic by 20%.”

11. Are you comfortable managing large events?

The American Cancer Society often hosts large fundraising events, so the interviewer wants to make sure you’re comfortable with this type of work. Use your answer to highlight your organizational skills and ability to manage a team.

Example: “I’ve worked on several large-scale projects in my career, including organizing our company’s annual conference for the past three years. I enjoy working with a team to plan an event, as it gives me the opportunity to meet new people and learn from their ideas. I also find that planning a large event helps me better understand how to organize other aspects of my job, like managing my time and prioritizing tasks.”

12. How do you think social media can be used as an effective fundraising tool?

The American Cancer Society uses social media to raise awareness and funds for cancer research, prevention and patient support. The organization wants employees who can use these platforms effectively to help the society achieve its mission. When answering this question, explain how you would use social media to promote the American Cancer Society’s work.

Example: “I think social media is an effective fundraising tool because it allows me to connect with people in a personal way. I have used social media to raise money for my previous employer by creating compelling content that inspires people to donate. For example, I once posted a photo of a child who was diagnosed with cancer and asked followers to share their stories about how they overcame challenges in their lives. This post inspired many people to make donations.”

13. Do you feel passionate about charitable organizations?

This question is a great way to determine if you are passionate about the American Cancer Society and its mission. Interviewers want to know that you have a personal connection with this organization, so they ask this question to see if you can share your story. When answering this question, try to think of a specific time when you were inspired by the work of the ACS.

Example: “I feel very passionate about charitable organizations because I have seen firsthand how much good they can do in our communities. In high school, my friend’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had no insurance, so we started a fundraiser at our school to help her pay for treatment. We raised over $5,000, which helped cover some of her medical bills. Seeing what we could do as a group made me realize how important it is to give back.”

14. Can you tell me about a time when you had to explain a complex subject matter to someone who didn’t understand?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you communicate with others and your ability to break down complex information into simpler terms. Use examples from previous jobs or personal experiences that highlight your communication skills, problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.

Example: “When I was working as an administrative assistant for a small business, my boss asked me to explain some financial documents to him because he didn’t understand them. He had been busy with other projects and hadn’t had time to go over them yet. I made sure to take extra care in explaining everything to him so he could fully grasp what they meant. After our meeting, he thanked me for breaking it down so well.”

15. Do you have any previous non-profit experience?

The American Cancer Society is a non-profit organization, so it’s likely that your interviewer will ask you this question. This is an opportunity to show the interviewer how your previous experience can help you succeed in this role. If you don’t have any prior experience working for a non-profit, consider discussing what you learned from your previous job and how you could apply those skills to this position.

Example: “I worked as a volunteer at my local hospital for two years before I graduated college. During that time, I helped patients with their paperwork, answered questions about their insurance coverage and assisted them with finding transportation to and from appointments. I also volunteered at a children’s hospital where I would read books to kids who were too sick to leave their rooms.”

16. What role does technology play in community development?

The American Cancer Society is a nonprofit organization that relies on volunteers to help with fundraising and community outreach. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working in a volunteer environment. Use examples from past experiences to show how you can use technology to support the mission of the ACS.

Example: “Technology plays an important role in community development because it allows people to connect with one another online or through social media platforms. In my last position, I volunteered for a local chapter of the ACS where we used Facebook to share information about upcoming events and fundraisers. We also used Twitter to promote our blog posts and encourage followers to donate to the cause.”

17. Do you have any relevant medical certifications?

The American Cancer Society may ask this question to learn more about your qualifications for the position. If you have certifications in cancer care, it can show that you are qualified for the role and have experience working with patients who have cancer. You can answer this question by listing any relevant certifications you have.

Example: “I am a certified oncology nurse practitioner through the National Certification Board of Oncology Nurses. I also have a certification in palliative care from the American Association of Palliative Care Physicians. These certifications help me provide quality care to my patients.”

18. How much money have you raised previously?

This question is a great way to see how much experience you have with fundraising. If you’ve never worked for the American Cancer Society, it’s okay if you haven’t raised any money before. However, if you have, be sure to mention that in your answer.

Example: “I’ve been working as a fundraiser for my local hospital for three years now. I started out by raising $500 per month and am currently up to $5,000 per month. My goal is to raise $10,000 per month by the end of this year.”

19. Tell me about a time you had to make a quick decision without consulting your manager.

This question can help interviewers learn more about your decision-making skills and how you handle pressure. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you made an informed choice that benefited the organization or helped someone else.

Example: “When I was working as a receptionist for a small business, my manager wasn’t available one day so I had to answer all of our calls on my own. One customer called in asking if we could rush their order because they needed it by the end of the week. I knew we couldn’t promise such a quick turnaround, but I also didn’t want to lose the sale. So, I offered to give them a discount if they would wait until the following Monday to receive their shipment.”

20. Which committee members have you contacted recently and what was discussed?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your communication skills and ability to work with others. It also helps them understand what you have been doing in your role as an event planner. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific people you’ve worked with and how they helped you plan events or projects.

Example: “I recently contacted my supervisor about some ideas I had for upcoming fundraising events. She gave me feedback on my ideas and told me she would like me to focus on one event per month. I also spoke with our marketing team about creating social media campaigns that help us reach new audiences. They were excited to get involved and offered their expertise.”