15 Compassion Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to job interviews, employers often ask questions related to compassion. They want to know if you have the ability to empathize with others and show concern for their well-being.

Compassion is an important quality for many jobs, especially those in the helping professions. If you’re interviewing for a job in healthcare, social work, or teaching, be prepared to answer questions about your compassion.

In this guide, we’ll give you some tips on how to answer compassion interview questions. We’ll also provide sample answers that you can use as a starting point for your own responses.

1. What is compassion?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of compassion and how it relates to the healthcare industry. When answering this question, you can define compassion in your own words and explain why it’s important for nurses.

Example: “Compassion is an empathetic response that allows us to feel what others are feeling. It’s one of the most important skills for nurses because we often work with patients who are experiencing pain or other emotional distress. I believe that having compassion for our patients helps us provide better care.”

2. Can you explain what the four noble truths are in Buddhism and why they are important?

This question is a test of your knowledge about Buddhism and how it relates to compassion. The four noble truths are the foundation of Buddhist philosophy, so you should be able to explain them in detail.

Example: “The four noble truths are dukkha, samudaya, nirodha and magga. Dukkha means suffering or dissatisfaction, which is something that all humans experience. Samudaya refers to the cause of suffering, which is attachment to worldly things. Nirodha refers to the cessation of suffering, which can only come from letting go of attachments. Magga is the path to liberation, which involves practicing mindfulness and meditation.”

3. What’s your understanding of detachment as a Buddhist concept?

This question is a good way to assess your knowledge of Buddhist concepts and how they apply in the workplace. Buddhism is an important part of many cultures, so employers want to make sure you can work with people who practice this religion. In your answer, explain what detachment means and why it’s important for compassionate caregiving.

Example: “Detachment is when we let go of our desires and expectations. It’s about accepting things as they are rather than trying to change them. I think this concept is especially important in healthcare because patients often come to us with their own ideas of how they want to feel or what they expect from treatment. We have to be able to listen to them without judgment and help them understand that sometimes there isn’t a cure.”

4. How can we cultivate kindness within ourselves?

This question can help the interviewer assess your compassion skills and how you apply them to yourself. Use examples from your own life or experiences that helped you develop kindness toward yourself.

Example: “I think it’s important to be kind to myself because I’m the only person who is with me all day, every day. When I was in college, I had a lot of stressors going on at once, including schoolwork, extracurricular activities and work. One night, I came home after a long day and started crying because I felt overwhelmed. My roommate heard me and asked if I wanted to talk about what was going on. We talked for an hour, and she gave me some advice that really helped me get through my stressful time.”

5. Why do you think it’s important to be compassionate towards others?

This question can help the interviewer get to know your values and motivations for working in a healthcare setting. Showcase your compassion skills by explaining how you feel about helping others, especially those who are vulnerable or in need of care.

Example: “I think it’s important to be compassionate towards others because we’re all human beings with feelings and emotions. I believe that everyone deserves respect and kindness, no matter what their situation is. In my last role as a nurse, I worked with patients who were going through some difficult times in their lives. It was rewarding to see them overcome their challenges and improve their health.”

6. What is the difference between empathy and compassion? Which one would you prefer in certain situations?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of these two similar concepts. Empathy and compassion are both important skills for healthcare professionals, but they can be used in different ways. Your answer should show that you understand the difference between empathy and compassion and how each skill can be beneficial.

Example: “Empathy is the ability to feel what another person feels. It’s an emotional response to someone else’s emotions. Compassion is more than just feeling what someone else feels. It’s also about taking action to help them. I would prefer to have compassion in certain situations because it allows me to take immediate action to help patients.”

7. What is self-compassion and how does it differ from compassion towards others?

This question is a great way to assess your understanding of self-compassion and how it can help you be more compassionate towards others. When answering this question, try to explain what self-compassion is and why it’s important in the workplace.

Example: “Self-compassion is treating yourself with kindness and care when you’re struggling or experiencing negative emotions. It differs from compassion towards others because it focuses on improving your own well-being rather than helping someone else feel better. I think that practicing self-compassion is an important skill for anyone working in healthcare because we often see patients who are suffering emotionally or physically. Being able to treat ourselves kindly when we experience stress or negativity can help us maintain our emotional health.”

8. Do you believe that people who show compassion for others tend to be more successful? If yes, then why?

This question is a great way to assess your beliefs about compassion and how it can affect your career. When answering this question, consider the skills you have that are directly related to compassion. You may also want to mention any personal experiences that helped you develop these compassionate skills.

Example: “Yes, I do believe that people who show compassion for others tend to be more successful. In my experience, being compassionate has allowed me to build strong relationships with coworkers and clients. These relationships help me perform my job well and achieve success in all of my projects. Compassionate people are also more likely to treat others kindly, which makes them more likable and approachable.”

9. Other than human beings, which other animals can display compassion?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of compassion beyond human beings. You can answer this question by listing the animals that you know display compassion and why they do so.

Example: “Other than humans, elephants are one of the most compassionate animals in the world. They have been known to help other elephants who are stuck or injured. Elephants also mourn their dead, which shows how much they care for each other. Dolphins are another animal that displays compassion. When dolphins see someone drowning, they will come over and try to save them. This shows that they care about others.”

10. Are there any circumstances where being compassionate is not appropriate? If so, then when?

This question is a great way to see how you apply compassion in your daily life. It also shows the interviewer that you understand when it’s appropriate and when it isn’t. When answering this question, consider any specific situations where you’ve had to be compassionate but not show compassion.

Example: “I think there are times when being compassionate is inappropriate. For example, if someone asks for advice on something and I know they’re going to do what I tell them regardless of my answer, then I would withhold compassion because I don’t want to waste their time or mine. Another situation is when someone is clearly looking for attention and I’m busy with other tasks.”

11. What is altruism and how does it relate to compassion?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the definition and purpose of altruism. It also allows you to explain how it relates to compassion, which can be an important skill for healthcare professionals. When answering this question, define altruism by giving its full name and explaining what it means. Then, relate it to compassion by describing how both are similar in their intentions.

Example: “Altruism is defined as selfless concern for the well-being of others. This is very similar to compassion because they both involve putting someone else’s needs before your own. In my experience, I have found that altruism and compassion go hand-in-hand when working with patients. For example, if a patient has a request or complaint, I will do everything I can to make sure they feel heard and cared for.”

12. Is it possible to be compassionate without having to go through pain or suffering yourself first?

This question is a great way to test your understanding of compassion and how it can be used in the workplace. When answering this question, you should explain that while you may not have experienced suffering yourself, you understand what others are going through and want to help them feel better.

Example: “Yes, I believe it’s possible to be compassionate without having to go through pain or suffering first. In my last role as an administrative assistant, I noticed one of my coworkers was struggling with her workload. She would often come into work looking stressed and tired. I approached her about it and offered to help her with some of her tasks so she could take care of herself more. She accepted my offer and we worked together to get everything done.”

13. Can you give me some examples of famous people who exemplify compassion?

This question is a great way to see how well you know the history of compassion. It also shows your interviewer that you have an interest in learning about compassionate people and their actions.

Example: “I think Mahatma Gandhi was one of the most famous people who exemplified compassion. He believed in nonviolence, which he used as a form of protest against British rule in India. His peaceful protests led to independence for India from Britain. Another person I admire is Mother Teresa. She devoted her life to helping others by providing food, shelter and medical care to those in need. Her work inspired me to pursue a career in healthcare.”

14. In your opinion, are humans born with compassion? Or is it something that needs to be taught to us?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the subject and how you feel about it. It can also be an opportunity for you to share some personal experiences that have helped develop compassion in yourself.

Example: “I believe humans are born with compassion, but we need to learn how to use it. For example, I remember when my younger brother was playing outside and got stung by a bee. He started crying and ran inside, and I felt bad for him. So I went out and held his hand while he cried. Then I told him that everything would be okay and gave him a hug. After that, he calmed down and went back outside to play.”

15. Can you explain what the triple gem is in Buddhism?

This question is a test of your knowledge about Buddhism. It’s important to show that you have an understanding of the religion and can apply it in your daily life. In your answer, explain what the triple gem is and how it relates to your own beliefs.

Example: “The triple gem is a Buddhist term for the Buddha, his teachings and the community of monks who practice them. I’ve always been drawn to Buddhism because of its focus on compassion and kindness. The idea of the triple gem has helped me understand my place in the world as someone who practices Buddhism. I feel like I’m part of something bigger than myself when I think about the community of people who believe in the same things.”