20 Big Brothers Big Sisters Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviewing for a position at Big Brothers Big Sisters, there are a few key questions that you can expect to be asked. These questions will help the interviewer get a better sense of who you are as a person and how you would be a fit for the organization. Here are a few of the most common questions that you may be asked in an interview for a position at Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Interview Process

The interview process at Big Brothers Big Sisters can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone screen and one in-person interview. For some positions, there may be multiple rounds of interviews with different staff members. The interview process is generally thorough and includes questions about your experience and why you want to work for the organization.

1. What do you think are the biggest issues facing youth today?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your knowledge about youth development and how you might approach working with children in this role. Your answer should include examples of what you think are important issues for youth, as well as ways to address them.

Example: “I believe that one of the biggest issues facing youth today is their lack of access to technology education. Technology is an integral part of our society, but many schools don’t have the resources to teach students how to use it safely and responsibly. I would love to work at Big Brothers Big Sisters because I feel like we could provide valuable tech education to youth through our programs.”

2. Why do you want to work at Big Brothers Big Sisters?

This question helps employers understand your motivations for applying to their organization. They want to know that you’re passionate about the work they do and why it’s important. In your answer, share what drew you to this role and how you plan to contribute to the team.

Example: “I’ve always wanted to be a teacher, but I also love working with kids. When I saw Big Brothers Big Sisters was hiring, I knew it would be the perfect opportunity to combine my two passions. I’m excited to help children learn and grow while building meaningful relationships with mentors.”

3. Describe a time when you had to handle an upset client or donor, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and challenges. Use examples from your experience to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication skills and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “I had a donor who was upset because we couldn’t accept their donation of used clothing. They were very adamant about us accepting it, but I remained calm and explained that our organization only accepts monetary donations. The donor understood and donated $500 to our organization.”

4. Do you have experience working with children?

This question helps the interviewer determine if you have experience working with children and how that experience may help you succeed in this role. If you don’t have direct experience, consider sharing your indirect experience or any other relevant skills that can help you excel in this position.

Example: “I’ve worked as a teacher’s aide for the past three years at an elementary school where I helped students learn math concepts and develop their reading skills. In my previous job, I also volunteered to tutor kids who needed extra support in their classes.”

5. If hired, would you be comfortable using your own vehicle for work purposes?

Big Brothers Big Sisters often requires employees to use their own vehicles for work purposes. This question is an opportunity to show your willingness to take on this responsibility and the commitment you have to the organization.

Example: “Yes, I would be comfortable using my own vehicle for work purposes. In fact, I already do so at my current job. My previous employer provided a company car, but I preferred to drive my own because it gave me more freedom and flexibility in my schedule. I am happy to continue doing so if hired.”

6. How much flexibility do you need in your schedule?

Big Brothers Big Sisters offers flexible schedules to match the needs of their volunteers. They want to know that you can work with a variety of hours and days, as well as adapt to changes in your schedule.

Example: “I am available for weekday or weekend shifts, although I prefer weekdays because they are more convenient for me. I also have no problem working overtime if needed. My flexibility is one of my greatest strengths, so I’m happy to adjust my schedule to meet the organization’s needs.”

7. Tell me about a time when you were able to successfully persuade someone to see things your way at work.

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your communication skills and ability to persuade others. Use examples from previous work experiences or personal life situations where you were able to successfully convince someone to see things your way.

Example: “In my last position, I was working with a team on a project that required us to meet certain deadlines. One member of our team wasn’t meeting their deadlines consistently, which caused some issues for the rest of the group. I met with this person one-on-one to discuss the issue and find out what was causing them to miss their deadlines. After talking through the situation, we found a solution that worked for both of us.”

8. Are you comfortable working on a team of people who may not be as experienced as yourself?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you’re willing to work with a team of people who may have different levels of experience. It’s important to show that you’re open to learning from others and helping them learn as well.

Example: “I’ve worked in several positions where I was one of the most experienced employees, but also in situations where I was the least experienced employee. In both cases, I’m always happy to learn new things and help my coworkers learn as well. I find it helpful to ask questions when I don’t understand something or offer advice when someone asks for it.”

9. Tell us what interests you most about this position.

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your personality and how you would fit in with their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific that drew you to apply for this role.

Example: “I am passionate about working with children and helping them reach their full potential. I have always wanted to work in an organization like Big Brothers Big Sisters because of its mission to help kids who are struggling. I think my skills as a teacher will make me a valuable asset to this team.”

10. Can you tell us about a time that you coordinated multiple events and/or programs simultaneously?

This question can help the interviewer understand your ability to multitask and manage multiple projects at once. Use examples from previous work or school experiences that highlight your organizational skills, time management abilities and teamwork skills.

Example: “In my last position as a youth development specialist, I coordinated three different programs for children ages five through 12. One of these programs was an after-school tutoring program where I helped students with their homework and provided them with additional support if they needed it. Another program was a summer camp where I planned activities and lessons for the kids while also helping them develop social skills and learn how to make friends. The final program was a weekend enrichment program where I taught kids about art, music and other subjects.”

11. What is your experience managing staff and volunteers?

This question helps the interviewer understand your leadership skills and how you manage a team. Use examples from previous roles to explain how you managed staff, delegated tasks and motivated employees.

Example: “In my last role as an executive director for a nonprofit organization, I had five full-time staff members and several volunteers who helped with fundraising events and community outreach programs. I relied on my communication skills to keep everyone informed about our goals and objectives. I also held weekly meetings where we discussed our progress and any challenges we faced.”

12. What challenges do you think our organization faces?

This question can help the interviewer determine how much you know about Big Brothers Big Sisters and what challenges they face. Use your answer to show that you understand the organization’s goals and objectives, and use examples from your experience to explain how you would address these challenges if hired.

Example: “I think one of the biggest challenges Big Brothers Big Sisters faces is finding enough mentors for all the children who need them. I have seen this firsthand in my previous role as a mentor coordinator where we had more kids than volunteers. To solve this problem, I helped create an online mentoring program that matched up kids with mentors based on their interests and needs.”

13. What is your experience coordinating community-based volunteer programs?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience working with a team and organizing volunteer programs. Use examples from previous work or school projects to highlight your organizational skills, communication abilities and teamwork skills.

Example: “In my last position as an outreach coordinator for a nonprofit organization, I helped organize monthly community events that brought together volunteers and families in need of support. These events included family movie nights, holiday celebrations and other activities where volunteers could interact with children and their parents. As part of this role, I also coordinated training sessions for new volunteers so they were prepared to engage with families.”

14. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?

This question helps employers understand how you stay up-to-date on the latest developments in your field. They want to know that you’re committed to learning and growing as a professional.

Example: “I’ve been taking an online course on child development, which has helped me learn more about what children need at different ages. I also recently attended a conference where I learned about some of the best practices for working with this population. These are both things I plan to implement into my work.”

15. Who was your best boss and who was the worst?

This question helps employers understand your work ethic and how you interact with authority figures. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific quality of each person that made them good or bad.

Example: “My best boss was my manager at the restaurant where I worked in high school. She always encouraged me to try new things and take on more responsibilities. She also taught me how to manage stress and handle difficult customers. My worst boss was my supervisor at the call center where I worked during college. He would often yell at us for small mistakes and make us feel like we weren’t doing our jobs well enough.”

16. When was the last time you worked with a difficult child or family member(s)?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience working with challenging situations and how you handled them. Use examples from your previous work or personal experiences to highlight your problem-solving skills, patience and ability to communicate effectively.

Example: “In my last role as a youth counselor at a summer camp, I worked with many children who had behavioral issues. One child in particular was very disruptive during group activities and often refused to follow directions. I spoke with his parents about the situation and learned that he had recently been diagnosed with ADHD. We developed a plan together where we would give him more time to complete tasks and provide positive reinforcement when he followed instructions. After a few weeks of following this plan, he became much more attentive and engaged.”

17. Tell me about a time where you struggled to meet a deadline.

This question can help an interviewer understand how you handle pressure and whether or not you have experience with time management. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific deadline that you missed and the steps you took to ensure you met your goals in the future.

Example: “In my previous role as a marketing manager, I was responsible for creating content for our company’s blog on a weekly basis. One week, I had a lot of other work to do and forgot to write a new blog post by Wednesday morning. I immediately began working on the blog post so that I could publish it before noon. By doing this, I was able to meet my deadline and avoid any consequences.”

18. What tools do you use to stay organized?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your organizational skills and how you plan your time. Use examples from past experiences to show that you are able to manage multiple tasks at once, prioritize important projects and meet deadlines.

Example: “I use several tools to stay organized. I have an online calendar where I keep track of all my appointments and meetings. I also use a task management app to create lists for each project or assignment I need to complete. This helps me stay on top of what needs to be done and when it should be completed by.”

19. Do you prefer to work independently or in teams?

This question helps employers determine how you might fit into their organization. They want to know that you can work independently when necessary, but also enjoy collaborating with others. Your answer should show that you are comfortable working in both situations and have experience doing so.

Example: “I prefer to work on my own because I am very independent and motivated. However, I understand that sometimes it’s beneficial to collaborate with a team. In the past, I’ve worked as part of a team to complete projects for school or work. I find that I’m good at contributing ideas and communicating with others.”

20. What do you think makes a good mentor?

This question helps the interviewer understand your perspective on what makes a good mentor. Your answer can help them see how you would fit into their organization and how you might be able to support children in achieving their goals.

Example: “I think a good mentor is someone who is patient, kind and willing to listen. I believe that it’s important for mentors to be available to talk with mentees about any challenges they’re facing or questions they have. It’s also helpful if mentors are positive role models who can show kids new ways of thinking and inspire them to achieve their goals.”