20 Atlantic Council of the United States Interview Questions and Answers

The Atlantic Council of the United States is a nonpartisan organization that promotes constructive engagement in international affairs based on the central role of the Atlantic Community in meeting global challenges.

The Council is looking for talented and dedicated individuals to join its team. If you’re hoping to land a job at the Council, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your experience, qualifications, and knowledge of international affairs.

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

Atlantic Council of the United States Interview Process

The interview process at Atlantic Council of the United States can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For intern positions, the process usually consists of two rounds of video calls, each lasting about 15 minutes. The questions asked during the interviews are typically related to your skills, experience, and interests. If you prepare beforehand, the interviews should not be too difficult.

For program assistant positions, the interview process may include a written assignment, followed by one or two interviews with different members of the council. The interviews are usually 30 minutes long and focus on behavioral questions.

For communications specialist positions, the pre-interview process is generally cordial, timely, and responsive. However, candidates may be required to participate in a video-interview as part of the selection process.

Overall, the interview process at Atlantic Council of the United States is relatively straightforward. However, it is important to note that the competition for positions can be quite high, so candidates should be prepared to showcase their skills and qualifications.

1. Why do you want to work at the Atlantic Council?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in their organization. It’s also an opportunity for you to show how much research you’ve done on the Atlantic Council and its mission. When preparing for this question, make sure to read through the job description so that you can refer to specific duties of the role.

Example: “I want to work at the Atlantic Council because I am passionate about foreign policy and national security. The Atlantic Council has been around since 1961, which shows me that it is a reputable organization with a lot of experience. I have always wanted to be part of something like this, especially as someone who wants to pursue a career in international relations.”

2. Tell me about a time that you had to organize something for a large group of people, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your organizational skills. Use examples from previous jobs or school projects to highlight how you used time management and prioritization skills to complete tasks efficiently.

Example: “In my last job, I was responsible for organizing weekly meetings with our team members. I created an agenda for each meeting that included important information about upcoming events, deadlines and any changes in company policy. This helped me stay organized and ensure everyone on the team had access to the same information.”

3. What is your experience with event planning and execution?

Event planning is an important part of working for the Atlantic Council. The organization hosts many events throughout the year, and your interviewer will want to know that you have experience with event planning and execution. Use examples from previous jobs or volunteer experiences to highlight your skills in this area.

Example: “In my last position as a marketing manager at a local theater company, I was responsible for organizing all aspects of our annual fundraising gala. This included finding vendors, creating invitations, booking entertainment and coordinating food service. It also meant ensuring we had enough staff members on hand to serve guests and clean up after the event. My team and I worked hard to make sure everything went smoothly, and we were able to raise $100,000 for the theater’s endowment fund.”

4. Describe a difficult situation involving multiple stakeholders and how you handled it.

The Atlantic Council of the United States is a global organization that works with many stakeholders. Your answer to this question can show how you handle working in teams and collaborating with others.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for managing multiple projects at once. One day, one of my team members came to me with an urgent issue regarding a client. The client had requested a change to their project timeline, which would affect our other clients’ timelines as well. We decided to hold a meeting with all parties involved to discuss the situation. During the meeting, we discussed different options and ultimately decided on a solution that worked for everyone.”

5. How would you describe yourself in one word?

This question is a way for the interviewer to get to know you better. They want to see if your answer aligns with their expectations of the role and company culture. Your response should be positive, but also honest.

Example: “I would describe myself as driven. I am always looking for ways to improve my skills and knowledge in order to achieve my goals. I have never been satisfied with my current level of performance, so I’m constantly pushing myself to do more.”

6. If hired, what type of projects would you like to be involved in?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the role and highlight any relevant skills you have. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what type of projects you would enjoy working on and how they relate to the organization’s mission.

Example: “I am passionate about foreign policy issues and believe that Atlantic Council plays a vital role in educating the public about these topics. If hired, I would love to work on a project that focuses on improving relations between two countries or regions. For example, I would like to help create a program that helps people from different backgrounds learn more about each other and develop empathy.”

7. Do you have any experience working with donors?

The Atlantic Council of the United States is a nonprofit organization that relies on donors to fund its operations. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience working with donors and how well you can communicate with them about their contributions. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills, ability to meet deadlines and organizational skills.

Example: “I’ve worked with several large corporations in my previous role as an event planner. I was responsible for communicating with our sponsors throughout the planning process. This included sending regular updates on the progress of the event and answering any questions they had. It also involved meeting with them regularly to discuss sponsorship opportunities and ensure we were offering what they wanted.”

8. What are some of your favorite publications on foreign policy?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your knowledge on foreign policy and how you use it. You can answer this question by listing some publications that have helped you learn about foreign policy, or you can list publications that you enjoy reading to stay up-to-date on current events.

Example: “I really enjoy The National Interest magazine because I find their articles very informative. They cover many different topics related to foreign policy, so I always learn something new when I read them. Another publication I like is Foreign Policy Magazine because they offer in-depth analysis on important issues. I also subscribe to the Washington Post’s foreign policy newsletter, which helps me stay informed on what’s happening in the world.”

9. Have you ever worked with an international organization before?

This question can help interviewers learn more about your experience working with a diverse group of people. If you have, explain what made it successful and how you helped the team work together. If you haven’t worked with an international organization before, talk about how you would adapt to this type of environment.

Example: “I’ve never worked with an international organization before, but I think I’d be excited by the opportunity. I’m used to working in a multicultural setting where we have employees from all over the world. In my current role, I communicate with our foreign clients on a daily basis. I use translation software to make sure they understand everything I say. I also try to speak their language as much as possible so that they feel comfortable.”

10. Can you tell us more about your research interests?

The Atlantic Council of the United States is a think tank that focuses on international affairs. As such, they want to know about your interests in foreign policy and global issues. This question helps them determine if you have the necessary knowledge and experience for this role. In your answer, explain what drew you to this field. Share some specific topics or areas that interest you.

Example: “I’ve always been interested in politics and world events. I remember watching the news with my parents as a child and asking questions about what was happening. My favorite subject in school was history because it gave me an idea of how we got to where we are today. When I graduated college, I decided to pursue a career in research. I wanted to learn more about current events and help others understand these complex situations.”

11. Are you comfortable using social media as a means to promote events?

Social media is a popular way to promote events, and the interviewer may want to know if you have experience using social media platforms. If you do not have much experience with social media, consider describing how you would use it to promote an event.

Example: “I am comfortable using social media as a means to promote events. In my previous role, I used Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to promote our organization’s events. I created posts that included images of the event space, information about the speakers and other details about the event. I also used hashtags to help people find our content.”

12. What types of programs do you think we should focus on?

The Atlantic Council of the United States is a non-partisan organization that focuses on international relations and foreign policy. The interviewer wants to know if you have an interest in this field, as well as your ideas for how they can improve their programs. Use examples from your experience or research to show them what types of programs you think are important.

Example: “I think it’s important to focus on educating people about current events and foreign policy. I’ve seen firsthand how effective educational programs can be at getting people involved and interested in these topics. In my last position, we started a program where we would host speakers who were experts in various areas of foreign policy. We also had breakout sessions so that attendees could learn more about specific topics.”

13. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing NATO today?

This question can help interviewers understand your knowledge of current events and how you approach challenges. Your answer should show that you are aware of the issues facing NATO, but also that you have a plan for addressing them.

Example: “NATO is currently facing several challenges, including Russia’s aggression in Eastern Europe, terrorism and cyberattacks. I think the biggest challenge right now is finding ways to work with Russia despite its aggressive actions. While it may seem counterintuitive, I believe we need to find common ground with Russia so we can start working together on some issues. This could include things like sharing intelligence about terrorist threats or creating cybersecurity protocols.”

14. What is your experience with project management?

The Atlantic Council of the United States is a large organization that requires effective project management. Your answer should show your ability to manage multiple projects at once and prioritize tasks based on deadlines, resources and other factors.

Example: “I have experience with both traditional and agile project management methodologies. I find that each methodology has its own strengths and weaknesses, so I use them in tandem depending on the situation. For example, when working on smaller projects, I prefer using an agile approach because it allows me to quickly respond to changes and make adjustments as needed. However, for larger projects, I prefer a more traditional approach because it gives me time to plan out my work and ensure I’m following best practices.”

15. What do you think our role should be in Syria?

The Atlantic Council is a think tank that analyzes foreign policy and international relations. As such, it’s important for candidates to have strong opinions about the role of the United States in global affairs. Your answer should show your knowledge of current events and how you would approach them as an Atlantic Council employee.

Example: “I believe our role in Syria should be to support the Kurds. They are one of the few groups actively fighting ISIS on the ground, and they’re doing so with limited resources. We should provide them with weapons and training to help them fight against ISIS. I also think we need to work more closely with Russia to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict.”

16. Do you have any experience with grant writing?

The Atlantic Council of the United States is a nonprofit organization that offers grants to students and professionals who are working on projects related to international affairs. Your answer should show that you have experience with grant writing, or at least some knowledge about it. If you don’t have any personal experience, you can talk about how you would approach this task if you were given the opportunity.

Example: “I’ve never written a grant before, but I think it’s an important part of getting funding for research and development in foreign policy. I would start by researching similar organizations and their grant requirements. Then, I would create a proposal based on what they’re looking for and submit my application.”

17. What has been your favorite class so far?

This question can help interviewers learn more about your academic interests and goals. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a class that helped you develop skills relevant to the position or one that inspired you to pursue a career in public service.

Example: “My favorite class so far has been my political science seminar on international relations. In this class, we discussed many of the current issues facing the world today and how they relate to each other. I found this class especially interesting because it gave me an opportunity to apply what I was learning in my other classes to real-world situations.”

18. How would you describe your communication style?

This question can help interviewers understand how you interact with others and your ability to communicate important information. Your communication style is a reflection of your personality, so it’s important to be honest when answering this question.

Example: “I consider myself an empathetic communicator because I try to put myself in the other person’s shoes before speaking. This helps me anticipate any misunderstandings or confusion that may arise during our conversation. It also allows me to adjust my tone or language if needed to ensure they feel comfortable and understood.”

19. Are you familiar with Microsoft Office Suite?

The Atlantic Council of the United States uses Microsoft Office Suite, so it’s important that you are familiar with this software. If you’re not already experienced in using these programs, consider taking a class or practicing on your own to ensure you can use them effectively when you start working for the organization.

Example: “I am very familiar with Microsoft Office Suite and have used it throughout my career. I find it helpful to be able to create documents, spreadsheets and presentations quickly and efficiently, which is why I’ve made it a point to learn how to use these programs well. In fact, I recently took an online course through Udemy where I learned more about Excel, Word and PowerPoint.”

20. What is your availability?

Employers ask this question to make sure you are available for the job. They want someone who is willing to work hard and be on call when needed. When answering this question, let them know your availability in terms of hours per week and days per week. If you have a flexible schedule, mention that as well.

Example: “I am available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. I can also work some evenings and weekends if necessary. My availability is flexible, so I would be happy to adjust my schedule based on what works best for the organization.”