20 Ashoka Interview Questions and Answers

When you go to an interview for a job at Ashoka, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience in social entrepreneurship and social change. The interviewer will want to know why you are interested in working for Ashoka, and what you think you can contribute to the organization. They may also ask you about your experience with specific Ashoka programs or initiatives. Be prepared to answer these questions by doing your research on Ashoka and its work beforehand. With a little preparation, you can ace the Ashoka interview and take your first step towards a rewarding career in social change.

Ashoka Interview Process

The interview process at Ashoka can be lengthy, and may include multiple rounds of interviews with different members of the team. The questions asked in the interviews are designed to assess a candidate’s fit for the role and their understanding of the company’s mission. In some cases, candidates may also be asked to complete a personality test.

1. What is your favorite social cause or topic?

Ashoka is a social organization that works to improve the lives of people around the world. Your favorite cause or topic can help you connect with Ashoka’s mission and goals. When answering this question, try to find a way to relate your personal experiences to the work that Ashoka does.

Example: “My favorite social cause is animal rights. I have always been an animal lover, so when I was in college I volunteered at my local shelter. While there, I noticed many animals were being euthanized because they had no owners. I started a campaign to raise awareness about adopting pets from shelters instead of buying them from pet stores. We raised enough money to open a new wing at the shelter where we could house more animals.”

2. How would you describe the role of a change maker to someone who was unfamiliar with it?

This question is a great way to assess your understanding of the role of a change maker and how you would explain it to someone who was unfamiliar with the term. Your answer should include an explanation of what a change maker does, why they do it and some examples of people who have made positive changes in their communities or around the world.

Example: “A change maker is someone who works to make positive social change in their community or around the world. They are often activists, entrepreneurs or philanthropists who use their skills and resources to create new opportunities for others and improve the lives of those who need help. I think anyone can be a change maker if they put their mind to it.”

3. Tell me about a time where you had to deal with a difficult person, how did you handle it?

An interviewer may ask this question to see how you handle conflict. This is an important skill for anyone in a leadership position, as it can help them understand your ability to resolve conflicts and manage challenging situations. In your answer, try to focus on the steps you took to resolve the situation or diffuse the conflict.

Example: “In my last role, I had a coworker who was very negative and would often make comments about other people’s work. At first, I tried to ignore her comments but eventually realized that she needed someone to talk to. So, I invited her out for coffee and we talked about what was going on in her life. She told me that she felt overwhelmed at work and didn’t know how to communicate with her manager. After our conversation, she started being more positive around the office.”

4. Why do you think Ashoka has been successful for so long?

Ashoka is a highly successful organization that has been around for over 40 years. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you understand the reasons behind Ashoka’s success and how it can apply those lessons to your own career. In your answer, try to identify what makes Ashoka unique and explain why these characteristics are important in an employee.

Example: “Ashoka is so successful because of its commitment to social change. I think that any company or organization should have a similar goal, which is why I am interested in working here. I believe that by hiring people who want to make a difference, we can achieve great things as a team.”

5. Do you have any experience working in an international environment?

Ashoka is an international organization that works with social entrepreneurs from around the world. Employers may ask this question to make sure you have experience working in a multicultural environment and collaborating with people of different backgrounds. In your answer, share about any previous work experiences where you had to collaborate with people from other countries or cultures.

Example: “I’ve worked for Ashoka since I graduated college, so I’ve been fortunate enough to work alongside many talented individuals from all over the world. One of my favorite parts of working here is getting to learn more about new cultures and ways of thinking. I find it fascinating how everyone has their own unique perspective on life, and I love learning about what makes each person special.”

6. Describe a situation in which you failed at something.

This question is a great way to show your ability to learn from mistakes and grow as a person. When answering this question, it can be helpful to focus on the steps you took to improve yourself or your actions after failing at something.

Example: “In my first year of college, I was taking an art history class that required me to create a portfolio of all of my work throughout the semester. I had never taken an art history course before, so I didn’t know what to expect when creating my portfolio. After completing the assignment, I realized that I hadn’t included any sketches in my portfolio. I felt embarrassed about not including sketches but decided to make up for it by sketching out some ideas for future assignments.”

7. What are some qualities that make a good changemaker?

Ashoka is a nonprofit that focuses on helping changemakers create positive social change. Employers may ask this question to learn more about your own personal values and how they align with the organization’s mission. In your answer, try to describe what you think makes someone a good changemaker. You can also share some of your own experiences as a changemaker if you have them.

Example: “I believe that anyone can be a changemaker. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but I’ve seen people make huge changes in their communities just by working together. Some qualities that I think are important for being a successful changemaker include creativity, passion, resilience and collaboration.”

8. Are you comfortable taking on new challenges without being told what to do?

Ashoka is a unique organization that requires its employees to be self-motivated and able to work independently. Your answer should show the interviewer you are capable of handling this type of environment.

Example: “I am definitely comfortable taking on new challenges without being told what to do. In my last job, I was given a project with no instructions or guidelines. I had to figure out how to complete it by myself. It took me longer than expected, but I eventually figured out how to complete the task successfully. This experience taught me how to take initiative and solve problems on my own.”

9. What is the relationship between social entrepreneurship and innovation?

Ashoka is a social entrepreneurship organization, so your interviewer may ask you this question to see if you understand the difference between these two concepts. Use your answer to explain what each term means and how they relate to one another.

Example: “Social entrepreneurship is when an individual or group uses business methods to solve social problems. Innovation is the process of creating something new that improves on existing ideas or processes. In my experience, I have seen many examples where social entrepreneurs use innovation to create solutions for their communities. For example, I worked with a woman who created a mobile app that helps people find free meals in their area.”

10. How would you define success?

This question is a great way to learn more about the values of Ashoka and how you might fit into their organization. Your answer should reflect your personal definition of success, but it can also be an opportunity to describe what you hope to achieve with your work in social entrepreneurship.

Example: “For me, success is measured by my ability to positively impact the lives of others. I believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference in the world, and I am driven by the idea that I could help someone find their purpose or realize their dreams. In my last role, I worked with at-risk youth who were struggling in school. After just one year of working together, we saw a 20% increase in test scores among our students.”

11. Give us an example of when you showed resilience.

This question is a great way to show your ability to overcome challenges and obstacles. Employers want to see that you can handle adversity, so it’s important to give an example of when you faced a challenge or setback and overcame it.

Example: “When I was in college, my parents lost their jobs and we had to move into a smaller apartment. This meant I had to commute farther to get to school, which made it more difficult to balance my studies with my job. However, I knew I could do both if I just focused on one thing at a time. I would wake up early every morning to study before work, then focus on my job once I got home from work.”

12. What skills do you bring to this position that will help our company be more successful?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have researched Ashoka and understand what they do. You can also use this time to highlight any skills or experience that will help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I am a creative problem solver who has excellent communication skills. I’m always looking for new ways to solve problems, which makes me an innovative thinker. My ability to communicate effectively with others helps me build relationships and work well as part of a team. These skills are essential to my success.”

13. What is one thing that you want to improve upon in yourself?

Ashoka is looking for people who are self-aware and willing to improve themselves. This question helps them determine if you’re open to feedback and criticism, which can be important in a leadership role. In your answer, explain what you want to change about yourself and how you plan on doing it.

Example: “I’m always striving to become more organized. I have a tendency to get distracted when working on multiple projects at once, so I’ve started using an app that reminds me of my daily tasks. It’s helped me stay focused and meet deadlines.”

14. Can you tell me about a time when you worked effectively under pressure?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you handle stressful situations and your ability to work well with others. Use examples from previous jobs or experiences that highlight your problem-solving skills, communication abilities and leadership qualities.

Example: “In my last position as an assistant manager at a local restaurant, I was responsible for managing the front desk while also helping the general manager run the floor during busy hours. One night, we had a large party come in right before closing time. The wait staff was already on their way out, so it was up to me to take over and make sure everyone got what they ordered. I stayed calm and focused on making sure each table received excellent service.”

15. When you are faced with an issue, what process do you go through to solve it?

Ashoka is a non-profit organization that works to solve social issues. Your answer should show the interviewer how you would approach this type of work and what your process might be for solving problems.

Example: “I first assess the situation, looking at all sides and gathering as much information as possible. Then I brainstorm solutions and evaluate them based on their effectiveness and feasibility. Finally, I implement my solution and monitor its progress to ensure it’s working effectively.”

16. Which areas of society do you think need the most improvement right now?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your passion for social change and how you plan to make an impact. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific areas that are important to you or that you have experience in.

Example: “I think education is one of the most important areas of society that needs improvement right now. I’ve seen firsthand how much of an impact teachers can have on students’ lives, so I would love to work with Ashoka to find ways to improve teacher training programs and support teachers as they enter the field.”

17. What projects are you currently working on?

Ashoka is looking for candidates who are passionate about their work and have a proven track record of success. When answering this question, highlight your most recent projects that you’re proud of and explain how they helped others.

Example: “I’m currently working on creating an app that helps people find local therapists. I’ve been working with a team of developers to create the app, which will allow users to search for therapists based on location, specialty or insurance coverage. The app will also include reviews from other patients so that it’s easy to choose a therapist.”

18. What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?

Ashoka is looking for candidates who have a proven track record of success. They want to know what you’ve done in the past that shows your ability to succeed as an Ashoka fellow. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what you’re most proud of and why.

Example: “My greatest accomplishment was when I started my own nonprofit organization. It took me two years to get everything up and running, but now we provide free tutoring services to underprivileged children. We also hold monthly field trips where kids can learn more about science and nature. This program has been so successful that other schools are starting their own programs.”

19. How can we as a society become better connected?

Ashoka is a global organization that works to connect people and ideas. Your answer should show the interviewer how you can help Ashoka achieve its mission of connecting people around the world.

Example: “I believe we as a society need to be more connected in order to solve our most pressing issues. I think social media has helped us become more connected, but it’s also created an echo chamber where we only see opinions that are similar to ours. We need to find ways to break out of these echo chambers so we can have meaningful conversations with people who hold different views than us.”

20. If there were no restrictions, what kind of project would you start today?

This question is a great way to show your creativity and passion for social change. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what you would do if there were no limitations on funding or resources.

Example: “If I had unlimited funds, I would start an organization that helps people with mental illnesses find meaningful work. Many people who suffer from mental illness have the ability to perform complex tasks but are unable to get hired because of their diagnosis. If they could find employment in fields where their unique skillsets were valued, they could feel more confident and productive.”