20 American Heart Association Interview Questions and Answers

When you’re interviewing for a position at the American Heart Association (AHA), you can expect questions that assess your skills and experience related to the job. But you may also be asked some questions that are specific to the AHA, such as our values and how you would approach working on behalf of our mission.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample questions you may be asked in an interview for a position at the AHA, along with guidance on how to answer each one.

American Heart Association Interview Process

The interview process at American Heart Association is generally quick and easy. Most applicants will have a phone interview with someone in Human Resources before being scheduled for an actual interview. The difficulty of the questions asked during the interview will vary depending on the position applied for, but most interviewees report that the questions are not overly difficult. Overall, most applicants report having a positive experience when interviewing with American Heart Association.

1. Why do you want to work at the American Heart Association?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for the American Heart Association and its mission. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific cause that you are passionate about or how you have been affected by heart disease in someone close to you.

Example: “I want to work at the American Heart Association because I am passionate about raising awareness of heart disease and helping people live healthier lives. My grandfather died from a heart attack when he was only fifty-five years old, so I know firsthand how important it is to educate people on ways they can prevent heart disease.”

2. Do you have any experience with fundraising for non-profits?

The American Heart Association is a non-profit organization that relies on donations to fund its programs. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience with fundraising and how much money you’ve raised in the past. If you don’t have any direct experience, you can talk about your willingness to learn new skills and take initiative when needed.

Example: “I haven’t had the opportunity to raise funds for a non-profit before, but I am very willing to learn new skills and take initiative. In my previous role as an administrative assistant, I learned how to use social media to promote our company’s products. I think this skill could be useful in helping me develop strategies for raising funds for the American Heart Association.”

3. Tell me about a time where you had to persuade someone to your point of view.

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and how you can persuade others. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the steps you took to convince someone of your point of view.

Example: “I had a coworker who was always late for work. I tried talking to him about his tardiness but he didn’t seem to care. So, I decided to take action by taking away some of his responsibilities until he learned to be on time. After two weeks, he started showing up on time. He eventually apologized for being late and thanked me for helping him learn that being on time matters.”

4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new employer. It’s also an opportunity for you to show that you have goals and aspirations beyond the role you are interviewing for. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of what you want to accomplish in the next five years.

Example: “I see myself as a leader within the American Heart Association. I would love to continue growing professionally and helping others with their health-related questions. In five years, I hope to have earned my certification as a CPR instructor. I would also like to start working toward becoming a registered nurse.”

5. Are you comfortable asking people for donations?

The American Heart Association relies on donations to fund its programs. The organization wants to make sure that you are comfortable asking for money and can do so in a respectful way. When answering this question, show the interviewer that you understand why it’s important to ask for donations and how you would go about doing so respectfully.

Example: “I am very comfortable asking people for donations. I know that many of our donors give because they want to help others. However, I also know that some people may not be able to donate at all or as much as we need them to. In those situations, I always try to find out what their situation is and if there is anything I can do to help them. For example, maybe they don’t have a credit card to donate online but could mail us a check. Or perhaps they just need more information about the cause before donating. I think it’s important to respect everyone who talks with me and to do my best to accommodate them.

6. Have you ever worked on an event planning committee?

Event planning is a key part of working for the American Heart Association. The organization hosts many events throughout the year, and it’s important that they are well-organized and executed. Your interviewer will want to know if you have experience with event planning and how you can contribute to their team.

Example: “I was on my high school’s homecoming committee last year. We organized several fundraisers, including a bake sale and a car wash. I also helped plan the homecoming dance, which we held at a local restaurant. It was a lot of work, but I learned a lot about what goes into organizing an event like this. I think I could use these skills to help your team organize some of your upcoming fundraising events.”

7. What skills would you bring to this position?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and qualifications for this role. When answering, it can be helpful to list your most relevant experience first and then move on to other skills or experiences that are also applicable.

Example: “I am a highly organized individual who has excellent time management skills. I would use these skills to ensure that all of my projects were completed in a timely manner while maintaining high quality work. In addition, I have extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, which will help me perform my job duties more efficiently.”

8. What are some ways you think we could improve our outreach to college students?

The American Heart Association is always looking for ways to improve their outreach and education programs. This question allows you to show your creativity and problem-solving skills by offering suggestions on how the organization can reach a younger audience.

Example: “I think one of the best ways we could reach college students is through social media. I would create an Instagram account that features healthy recipes, workout tips and other lifestyle advice geared toward young adults. We could also offer free online classes where students learn about heart disease prevention and treatment.”

9. How would you respond if a donor said they were not willing to give money because they didn’t like how much money was spent on overhead?

This question is a test of your ability to handle difficult situations. It also shows the interviewer how you would respond to someone who disagrees with the organization’s mission or spending practices. In your answer, show that you understand why overhead costs are necessary and demonstrate that you can explain this to donors in an effective way.

Example: “I would first try to find out what specifically made them uncomfortable about our overhead expenses. I would then explain that overhead costs are essential for running the American Heart Association effectively. For example, we use these funds to pay for things like research, education programs and advocacy efforts. These activities help save lives and improve health outcomes for millions of Americans each year.”

10. If hired, what is one thing that you would change about the way the Red Cross does things?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your critical thinking skills and how you would implement change. Your answer should show that you are willing to make improvements, but also highlight what you like about the organization.

Example: “I think one thing I would change is the amount of time it takes to get an appointment with a nurse after calling in. The Red Cross has been very helpful when I have needed assistance, so I know this is not due to lack of staff or resources. However, if I were able to streamline the process, I believe it could save both patients and nurses valuable time.”

11. Tell me about a time when you dealt with conflict in the workplace, how did you handle it?

The American Heart Association is a non-profit organization that relies on the support of its donors. As such, it’s important for employees to be able to work well with others and resolve conflicts in a professional manner.

Example: “I once had a disagreement with my supervisor about how I should handle a situation with one of our clients. I was new to the company at the time, so I wasn’t sure if I should speak up or not. However, I decided to talk to my supervisor about my concerns. She listened to me and we came to an agreement. Since then, she has been very supportive of my career development.”

12. Can you describe a time you were able to successfully manage multiple projects and deadlines?

The American Heart Association often has employees who are responsible for managing multiple projects and deadlines. This question allows the interviewer to assess your ability to manage a large workload while still producing quality work. Use examples from previous jobs or describe how you would approach this situation if it were to occur in this new role.

Example: “In my current position, I am responsible for managing multiple projects and deadlines on a daily basis. For example, last month we had two major events that required extensive planning and preparation. One event was an annual fundraiser, and the other was a conference where we presented our research findings. In both situations, I delegated tasks among my team members so everyone could complete their assignments by the deadline.”

13. What is your favorite part about working in philanthropy?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the nonprofit industry. When answering this question, it can be helpful to talk about how you have seen philanthropy make a difference in people’s lives and what that means to you.

Example: “My favorite part of working in philanthropy is seeing the impact we are making on our community. I remember when I first started working here, there was a family who came into our office because their child had been diagnosed with heart disease. The American Heart Association helped them get connected with the right doctors and provided financial support during some difficult times. Now, that same child is healthy and thriving. It makes me so happy to know that we were able to help that family through such a tough time.”

14. Explain a time where you went above and beyond for a customer or client.

This question is a great way to show your dedication and willingness to help others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you helped someone who was in need or went above and beyond for a client or customer.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a client that needed some extra support with their marketing campaign. They were having trouble reaching their target audience and wanted our help. We spent an entire day brainstorming ideas and coming up with strategies to reach the client’s target market. In the end, we came up with a plan that increased the client’s sales by 20%.”

15. Describe how you managed a large budget.

The American Heart Association is a large organization with many different departments. The hiring manager may ask this question to learn more about your experience managing a budget and how you would apply that knowledge to their department. Use examples from previous work experiences to describe the process of creating a budget, monitoring spending and submitting reports on time.

Example: “In my last role as an event planner, I was responsible for planning events within a set budget. I created a spreadsheet where I listed all expenses and revenue sources. Then, I compared the two numbers to determine if we had enough money to cover our costs. If not, I made adjustments to reduce costs or increase revenue. After completing these steps, I submitted monthly reports to my supervisor so they could monitor our progress.”

16. Which qualities make up an excellent fundraiser?

The American Heart Association is a nonprofit organization that relies on fundraising to support its programs. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your fundraising experience and how you would apply those skills to the job. In your answer, explain which qualities make up an excellent fundraiser and describe what makes you an effective fundraiser.

Example: “An excellent fundraiser has strong communication skills, empathy for others and a genuine passion for helping people. I have all of these qualities, as well as a background in event planning and marketing. These skills allow me to create successful campaigns that raise money while also educating the public about heart disease prevention.”

17. What are some of your ideas for making improvements to the organization?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have any ideas for improving the organization. This is an opportunity to show your creativity and willingness to take on a leadership role. When answering, think of ways that you could improve the American Heart Association’s processes or procedures.

Example: “I would like to implement more training opportunities for employees. I believe that offering additional training courses will help employees learn new skills and stay up-to-date with current information. Another improvement I would make is creating a mentorship program for newer employees. Having someone who can guide me through my first few months at the company would be helpful.”

18. What kind of connections do you have with the community? How involved are you?

The American Heart Association is a nonprofit organization that works to educate the public about heart disease and stroke. They also work with hospitals, medical professionals and government officials to develop programs and policies that promote healthy lifestyles and reduce cardiovascular diseases.

The interviewer wants to know if you have any connections in the community that can help them achieve their goals. Your answer should show that you are willing to make personal sacrifices for the greater good of the organization.

Example: “I am very involved in my local community. I volunteer at the hospital once a week where I teach patients how to manage their stress levels through meditation and breathing exercises. I also lead a weekly yoga class at the senior center where we focus on stretching and strengthening the body.”

19. What is something that excites you about the mission of the AHA?

The AHA is a non-profit organization that works to educate the public about heart disease and stroke. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you are passionate about their mission and how it aligns with your own values. In your answer, try to show that you understand what the AHA does and why it’s important.

Example: “I am excited by the work of the American Heart Association because I believe in its mission to prevent death and disability from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. As someone who has lost family members to these conditions, I know firsthand how devastating they can be. I would love to help others avoid similar situations through my work here.”

20. What three words would you use to describe the culture of the American Heart Association?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your understanding of the organization’s culture. This is an opportunity for you to show that you are a good fit for the American Heart Association by describing its values and how they align with yours.

Example: “The American Heart Association has a culture of innovation, collaboration and compassion. I would describe it as a place where people work together to find new ways to improve health care while also supporting each other in their professional development. The organization places a lot of emphasis on helping others, which is something I value highly.”