20 Conservation International Interview Questions and Answers

Conservation International is a global nonprofit working to protect the world’s most important natural places. From the Amazon rainforest to the coral reefs of the Caribbean, Conservation International is on the front lines of conservation, working to preserve our planet’s biodiversity.

If you’re hoping to join the Conservation International team, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your experience, qualifications, and motivation for wanting to work in conservation. In this guide, we’ve gathered a list of sample Conservation International interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Conservation International Interview Process

The interview process at Conservation International (CI) can be lengthy, and may include multiple rounds of interviews. Candidates may be interviewed by phone, Skype, or in person. The difficulty of the interviews varies, but some candidates report that CI asks very specific questions about job experience and qualifications. Overall, the interview process is generally positive, though some candidates find it frustrating.

1. What do you think is the biggest threat to our planet?

This question is a great way to see how passionate you are about conservation and the environment. It also allows you to show your knowledge of current environmental issues. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an issue that you have personal experience with or one that you have studied extensively.

Example: “I think the biggest threat to our planet right now is climate change. I’ve seen firsthand how rising temperatures are affecting ecosystems around the world. In my last position, I worked on a project in Australia where we were trying to protect endangered marsupials from heat waves. The animals would normally hide underground during the day, but they couldn’t do that anymore because the ground was too hot. We had to find alternative ways for them to stay cool.”

2. How would you convince someone that climate change is real?

This question is a great way to test your ability to communicate complex ideas in an understandable and relatable manner. Your answer should include the basic facts about climate change, but you can also use personal anecdotes or examples of how you’ve seen it affect people’s lives.

Example: “Climate change is real because we’re seeing its effects all around us. For example, I grew up on the coast of Florida where there were plenty of beaches for me to enjoy as a child. Now, however, many of those beaches are gone due to rising sea levels. We know that this is happening because of human activity, so we need to take action now before it gets worse.”

3. Why are you interested in working for Conservation International?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your passion for conservation. They want to know that you are committed to protecting the environment and helping others do the same. Use this opportunity to share what inspired you to pursue a career in conservation, how you got started or any other experiences you have had working with Conservation International.

Example: “I am passionate about conservation because I believe we can make a difference by taking care of our planet. When I was younger, my family took a trip to Costa Rica where we learned about the work Conservation International does. It really opened my eyes to the importance of environmental protection and made me realize that I wanted to dedicate my life to it. Since then, I have volunteered at several organizations and even interned here last summer.”

4. Do you have any experience with non-profit organizations?

Conservation International is a non-profit organization, so it’s important that you have experience working for one. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re familiar with the unique challenges of working in a non-profit environment. Use your answer to explain why you want to work at Conservation International and what makes you qualified for the role.

Example: “I’ve worked for several non-profit organizations throughout my career. I find that conservationists are often passionate about their work, which means they can be great employees. In my last position, I was responsible for managing a team of conservationists who were all working toward the same goal. We had weekly meetings where we discussed our progress and brainstormed ways to improve our conservation strategies. It was an extremely rewarding experience.”

5. What areas of conservation interest you most?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have a passion for conservation and which areas of conservation interest you most. It can also show them what your interests are in terms of conservation, which may be different from those of Conservation International. You should answer this question by listing the specific areas that you find interesting and why they interest you.

Example: “I am passionate about marine conservation because I grew up near the ocean and love to spend time there. However, I am also interested in freshwater conservation because it is an area that many people do not think about when it comes to conservation efforts. Freshwater ecosystems are important to protect as well.”

6. Describe a time when you were able to successfully persuade someone to see things your way at work.

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your communication skills and how you persuade others to see things from your perspective. Use examples of when you were able to use your persuasive abilities to convince someone to change their mind or agree with a certain idea.

Example: “In my last position, I was working on a conservation project that involved convincing local farmers to stop using harmful pesticides on their crops. The farmers had been using these pesticides for years, so it was going to be an uphill battle to get them to switch methods. However, I spoke with each farmer individually and explained why we wanted them to make this change. In the end, they all agreed to start using organic farming techniques.”

7. Tell me about a time where you had to deal with conflict on a team, how did you handle it?

Conservation International is a global organization that works with many different teams. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your conflict resolution skills and how you work in a team environment. Use examples from past experiences where you were able to resolve conflict or help others resolve conflict.

Example: “In my last position, I worked on a conservation project with several other people. One of the members of our team was having trouble working with one of the interns because they disagreed on some of their methods. I talked to both individuals separately and helped them come up with a compromise so everyone could be happy. In the end, we all learned something new and had a better understanding of each other.”

8. Give an example of a time where you worked well under pressure.

Conservation International works with a lot of deadlines, so it’s important that you can work well under pressure. This question is your chance to show the interviewer how you handle stressful situations and perform well in them.

Example: “In my last position as an environmental scientist, I was working on a project where we had to find ways to reduce our carbon footprint by 50% within five years. We were given this goal at the beginning of the year, and I knew that it would be challenging to meet. However, I also knew that if we worked hard enough, we could do it. Throughout the year, I met with my team members regularly to discuss ideas for reducing our carbon footprint. By the end of the year, we had reduced our carbon footprint by 30%, which gave us momentum going into the next year.”

9. Can you give us an overview of some of the projects you have been involved in?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your conservation experience. You can use this opportunity to highlight some of your most important projects and how they helped you develop as a conservationist.

Example: “I have been involved in many different types of conservation projects, including marine conservation, wildlife preservation and environmental education. In my last position, I worked with a team to create an educational program that taught children about the importance of preserving our natural resources. We created lesson plans and activities that we used in local schools, which allowed us to reach thousands of students each year.”

10. If hired, what kind of contributions could you make to this organization?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the organization and how you could contribute to its success. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific goals or projects that Conservation International has accomplished in the past.

Example: “I am passionate about conservation and believe that we need to protect our planet’s natural resources for future generations. I would love to work with Conservation International because I know that your organization is dedicated to protecting endangered species and ecosystems around the world. If hired, I would use my passion for conservation to help educate others on the importance of preserving our environment.”

11. Are you comfortable communicating with senior leadership and C-level executives?

Conservation International is a global organization that works with many different stakeholders, including government officials and corporate executives. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience communicating at all levels of an organization. Use examples from your previous job or describe how you would approach this situation.

Example: “I’ve worked in conservation for several years now, so I’m used to working with people who are experts in their field. However, I also understand the importance of communication across all levels of an organization. For example, when I was working on my master’s thesis, I had to communicate with my advisor regularly about my progress. I found it helpful to keep them informed of my work while asking questions as they came up. This helped me develop a strong relationship with my advisor.”

12. How do you stay up-to-date on the latest issues facing conservation today?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you stay informed about conservation issues and what resources you use to learn more. Use your answer to highlight any specific skills or methods that have helped you in your career so far, such as researching online, reading publications or attending conferences.

Example: “I regularly read several conservation-focused publications and subscribe to newsletters from organizations like Defenders of Wildlife and World Wildlife Fund. I also follow many wildlife photographers on social media who share their work and experiences with different species around the world. These resources allow me to keep up with current events and learn more about the challenges facing conservationists today.”

13. What do you know about the mission of Conservation International?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the organization and its goals. Interviewers ask this question to see if you have done any research on their company, but they also want to know how passionate you are about Conservation International’s mission. When answering this question, make sure to highlight what you find most interesting or impressive about the nonprofit.

Example: “I am so impressed by Conservation International’s mission to conserve nature for humanity. I think it’s important that we protect our planet because there is no other place like Earth. I believe that humans can learn from nature and use those lessons to create better lives for ourselves. In my last position, I worked with an environmentalist who inspired me to pursue conservation as a career.”

14. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s often asked to see if you have career goals. When answering this question, be honest about your intentions for the future. If you’re unsure of what you want to do in five years, explain that you are looking for a long-term position where you can grow professionally.

Example: “I would like to continue working with conservation efforts in five years. I’m hoping to find a company that will allow me to develop my skills and advance within the organization. I think Conservation International is an excellent place to do so because of its dedication to protecting the environment.”

15. How would you handle a situation where two coworkers weren’t getting along?

This question can help interviewers assess your interpersonal skills and ability to resolve conflicts. In your answer, try to highlight your conflict resolution skills and emphasize that you’re willing to work with others to find a solution.

Example: “In my last position, two coworkers had a disagreement about how to handle a project. I met with both of them separately to hear their perspectives on the situation. After hearing both sides, I helped them come up with a compromise so they could continue working together. This allowed everyone to feel heard and ensured that the conservation efforts continued as planned.”

16. How do you feel about traveling for work?

Conservation International has offices in many different countries, so the interviewer may want to know if you’re comfortable with traveling. If you have experience working internationally, share your thoughts on how it affected your work and personal life. If you haven’t worked abroad before, explain that you would be open to doing so.

Example: “I love traveling for work because I get to see new places and meet new people. In my last position, I was able to travel to several locations around the country, which helped me learn more about conservation efforts in other areas of the United States. I’m always excited to visit a new place, but I also understand that sometimes there are projects that require me to stay put.”

17. What kinds of tools do you use to manage multiple projects at once?

Conservation International works with a variety of projects, so the interviewer wants to know how you would manage your time and attention across multiple tasks. Use examples from past experience where you’ve managed multiple projects at once successfully.

Example: “I use project management software like Trello or Basecamp to keep track of my progress on different conservation projects. I also use Google Drive to store important documents that I can access anywhere. These tools help me stay organized and ensure I’m meeting deadlines for each project. In addition, I find it helpful to set weekly goals for myself so I can monitor my progress toward larger objectives.”

18. What is one thing you wish more people knew about conservation?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for conservation and the impact it can have on people’s lives. When answering this question, try to focus on a specific aspect of conservation that you find interesting or important.

Example: “I wish more people knew how much we depend on nature. We often take things like clean air and water for granted, but they are all part of our ecosystem. If we don’t protect these resources, we could lose them forever. I also think many people underestimate the importance of biodiversity. It’s crucial that we preserve as many species as possible because we never know when one might hold the key to curing a disease.”

19. What was your favorite project from school or previous jobs?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your interests and skills. You can use this opportunity to highlight any projects you completed that helped conserve natural resources or helped people learn about conservation.

Example: “My favorite project from school was my senior thesis, which focused on how we could improve our recycling processes in order to reduce the amount of waste we produce. I researched different ways we could recycle more materials and found that if we improved our current methods, we could save millions of dollars each year by reducing the amount of trash we send to landfills.”

20. Can you tell me about a time where you made a mistake at work and how you handled it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you respond to challenges and learn from your mistakes. Use examples from previous work experiences where you made a mistake, but also how you used that experience to improve yourself or your performance in the future.

Example: “In my last position as an environmental scientist, I was working on a project with a team when I realized I had forgotten to include some important information in our presentation. While it was too late to add the information into the presentation itself, I did make sure to mention it during the Q&A session so everyone would know about it. In the future, I always double-check all of my work before presenting.”