20 American Civil Liberties Union Interview Questions and Answers

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is one of the most well-known and respected civil rights organizations in the United States. The ACLU has a long history of fighting for the rights of all Americans, regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

If you’re hoping to land a job at the ACLU, you can expect the interview process to be pretty competitive. The organization receives thousands of applications for every open position, so you’ll need to stand out from the crowd.

In this guide, we’ve provided a list of sample ACLU interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

American Civil Liberties Union Interview Process

The interview process at American Civil Liberties Union can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, such as internships, there may only be one round of interviews. For other positions, such as legal assistant or paralegal, there may be two rounds of interviews. The first round is usually a phone screen, followed by a panel interview.

Overall, the interview process is fairly standard. However, some candidates have reported negative experiences, such as lack of communication or being ghosted after an initial interview.

1. Why do you want to work at the American Civil Liberties Union?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for the organization and its mission. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific case or issue that you care about.

Example: “I want to work at the ACLU because I am passionate about civil liberties. In my last job as a paralegal, I worked on cases involving free speech and privacy rights. I was able to help people who were unfairly targeted by their government, which made me feel like I was making a difference in the world. The ACLU has such a long history of protecting our freedoms, so I would love to join this team.”

2. What are some of your favorite books and why?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new colleagues. It can also help you determine if the ACLU is a good fit for you. When answering this question, try to mention books that are relevant to civil liberties and human rights. You may also want to include some of your favorite nonfiction books.

Example: “I have always been passionate about learning about civil liberties and human rights. Some of my favorite books on these topics include The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, The Color Purple by Alice Walker and The Diary of Anne Frank.”

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

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your problem-solving skills. Use examples from your past that highlight your ability to make decisions and how you used critical thinking to come up with solutions.

Example: “In my last position, I had to decide whether or not to take on a case for a client who was being denied access to their child because they were gay. The client wanted us to represent them in court so they could have visitation rights to see their child. While we knew it would be an uphill battle, we decided to take the case because we believed it was important to stand up for LGBTQ rights. We ended up winning the case, which helped set precedent for future cases.”

4. How would you handle a situation where one of the interns was not following policy or acting in an unprofessional manner?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your leadership skills and how you would handle a situation where an employee was not following policy or acting unprofessionally. In your answer, try to show that you can be firm but also compassionate when handling such situations.

Example: “If I encountered an intern who wasn’t following policy or acting in an unprofessional manner, I would first speak with them privately about the issue. If they continued to act inappropriately after our conversation, I would then hold a meeting with all of the interns to discuss the importance of professionalism and civility at work. I would make sure to emphasize that everyone is expected to treat each other respectfully and professionally.”

5. Do you have experience working with databases?

The American Civil Liberties Union uses a database to store information about cases, legislation and other issues. The interviewer may ask this question to learn if you have experience working with databases in your previous roles. If you do, share the type of database you worked with and how often you used it. If you don’t have experience working with databases, explain that you are willing to learn.

Example: “I’ve never worked with a database before, but I am eager to learn. In my last role, I was responsible for organizing files and documents by client name. This helped me become familiar with different types of file organization software. I would be happy to take on additional training or certification courses to work with a database.”

6. Have you ever worked for a non-profit organization before?

This question is a great way to learn more about your interviewers and their interests. If you have experience working for a non-profit, share what you learned from the experience. If you don’t have any experience, you can talk about how you would approach this type of work.

Example: “I actually worked for a local animal shelter when I was in high school. It was a part-time job that I took on during my free time after school. The organization didn’t have much money, so we had to do most of our fundraising ourselves. We held bake sales, car washes and other events where we could raise money for the animals. I learned a lot about how important it is to be creative with fundraising.”

7. Describe how you handled a stressful situation in the past.

The ACLU is a highly political organization, and it’s important that you can handle stress well. This question allows the interviewer to assess your ability to manage pressure in a professional setting.

Example: “In my last position as an attorney for a private firm, I was working on a case where the opposing counsel was being very aggressive. He would often yell at me during depositions and court hearings, which made me feel stressed out. However, I knew that if I lost my temper or acted unprofessionally, it could hurt our case. Instead, I took deep breaths and focused on what I needed to do next. By remaining calm, I was able to complete my tasks without making any mistakes.”

8. What type of legal issues are most interesting to you?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interests and passions. This can help them determine if you would be a good fit for the ACLU, as they are an organization that focuses on civil liberties issues. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention two or three specific legal cases that have inspired you in the past.

Example: “I am passionate about equal rights and social justice, so I find many of the ACLU’s cases inspiring. For example, when I was in law school, I read about a case where a transgender student wanted to use the bathroom that corresponded with their gender identity. The school denied them access, but the ACLU took up their case and won. It was amazing to see how much impact one person can make.”

9. Would you be comfortable dealing with potentially controversial issues?

The ACLU is a highly respected organization that works to protect the rights of all Americans. However, some of their cases may be controversial and cause public backlash. Your interviewer wants to make sure you are comfortable with this aspect of the job. In your answer, show that you understand why these cases are important and how you would handle any negative reactions from the public.

Example: “I am passionate about civil liberties and equality for all people. I know that sometimes we have to fight for unpopular causes in order to ensure everyone’s rights. I am willing to face criticism if it means helping others.”

10. How would you deal with a client that was upset with our services?

The ACLU is a highly respected organization that works to protect the rights of all Americans. As such, it’s likely that you’ll have clients who are upset with your services at some point in your career. Interviewers want to know how you would handle this situation and ensure that you can remain professional while still providing excellent customer service.

Example: “I understand that sometimes our clients may be unhappy with our work or feel like we haven’t done enough for them. I always make sure to listen to their concerns and address any questions they have. If they’re not satisfied with my response, I offer to connect them with someone else on our team so they can get more information about our policies.”

11. What is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. The interviewer will likely be looking for strengths that align with the job description and weaknesses you’re working on improving. When answering this question, think about what your greatest strength is and how it can help you succeed in this role. Then, think of a weakness you are actively trying to improve.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work well under pressure. I am always prepared for any situation and have developed strategies for overcoming challenges. My weakness is that sometimes I get so focused on achieving results that I forget to take care of myself. I’ve been practicing meditation to help me relax and focus on self-care.”

12. If hired, what would you hope to learn from this internship?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the internship and what you hope to gain from it. You can use this question as a way to explain why you are passionate about civil liberties, or you can talk about specific skills you want to develop during the internship.

Example: “I would love to learn more about how the ACLU works with other organizations to protect civil liberties. I have always been passionate about social justice issues, so I am excited to see how the organization interacts with others to create change. I also think that learning more about the legal system would be beneficial. I am hoping to get some experience working on cases and researching laws.”

13. Are you familiar with any current civil liberties cases that are going on right now?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to see if you are up-to-date on current events. It also shows them that you have an interest in civil liberties and how they affect people’s lives. When answering this question, make sure to mention a case that has been in the news recently.

Example: “I am very familiar with the Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission case. This case involves Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop, who refused to bake a wedding cake for Charlie Craig and David Mullins because he was against same-sex marriage. The couple filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, which ruled in their favor. Phillips then appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court.”

14. Can you tell us about a time when you were faced with a challenging situation and what you did to overcome it?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential employer and how they view the role of civil liberties. It also gives you an opportunity to show that you can handle difficult situations with grace and confidence.

Example: “When I was working as a paralegal, my boss asked me to research a case involving a man who had been arrested for disorderly conduct after he refused to leave a public park at night. The arresting officer claimed that the man was intoxicated, but when we spoke to him, he said he wasn’t drinking or using drugs. He just wanted to sit in the park because it made him feel calm.

I researched similar cases across the country and found that many people were being arrested for minor infractions like this one. I presented our findings to my boss, and together we wrote a brief arguing that these arrests violated the First Amendment right to free speech. We won the case.”

15. How would you use social media as a marketing strategy for the ACLU?

The ACLU is a highly visible organization, and it needs to use social media as a marketing strategy. Your answer should show that you understand the importance of using social media for outreach and engagement with supporters.

Example: “I would use social media to share stories about civil liberties violations in the United States. I would also use it to engage with people who are interested in learning more about the work we do at the ACLU. I have used social media extensively in my previous role, so I know how to create content that engages audiences and encourages them to take action.”

16. How would you describe yourself?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s values and beliefs. It also helps employers determine if you are a good fit for their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include some of your personal interests or hobbies that relate to civil liberties.

Example: “I am an avid reader who cares deeply about social justice issues. I believe everyone should have equal rights and access to education, healthcare and housing. I would describe myself as someone who is always willing to help others. I am passionate about my work and committed to making sure our country lives up to its promise of equality and freedom.”

17. We need someone who can work independently, but also knows when to ask for help. Do you think you would be a good fit for this position?

This question is a great way to determine if the candidate can work independently and when they need help. This is an important skill for any position, but especially one that requires you to complete tasks on your own. Your answer should show that you are willing to ask for help when needed while also showing that you have the skills to complete the task yourself.

Example: “I think I would be a good fit for this position because I am highly motivated and driven. I know that sometimes it’s better to ask for help than try to do something alone, so I will always look for someone who can help me with my tasks. However, I am confident in my ability to perform this job well.”

18. The ACLU has many different departments. Which department are you most interested in working in?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine your level of interest in working for the ACLU. They want employees who are passionate about the organization’s mission and work. When answering, be honest about which department you’re most interested in working in. Explain why that department interests you and what skills you have that would make you a good fit for that role.

Example: “I’m very passionate about civil liberties issues, so I am excited to learn more about the legal team at the ACLU. I think my background as a lawyer would make me a great addition to the legal team. I also love the idea of helping people fight for their rights. If hired, I would like to work on the litigation team.”

19. What is your opinion on the current state of civil liberties in America?

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your passion for civil liberties and how you feel about the current state of affairs. Your answer should reflect a desire to improve civil liberties in America, but it can also be an opportunity to show that you are aware of what is happening in the country.

Example: “I am deeply concerned with the current state of civil liberties in America. I believe we have lost sight of our founding principles as a nation, and we need to return to them. We must protect the rights of all citizens, regardless of their race, religion or political affiliation. The ACLU has been fighting for these rights since its inception, and I would like to continue that fight.”

20. Give an example of a time when you had to be very strategic in order to meet all your top priorities.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to prioritize. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of how you were able to meet all the priorities in a timely manner while still being strategic about which tasks you completed first.

Example: “In my current role as a social media manager, I have to manage multiple accounts for different brands. This means that I need to make sure I am posting content on each account at the right time so that our followers see it when they are online. For instance, if I post something on one brand’s Instagram account during work hours, I want to make sure I also post something on another brand’s account later in the evening so that people who aren’t working can see it too.”