20 Council on Foreign Relations Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviewing for a job at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), there are a few things you can expect. First, the interview process is highly competitive. Second, the interviewers will be looking to see if you have the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in the role you’re applying for. And third, you can expect to be asked some specific questions about CFR’s work.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample CFR interview questions and answers. These questions will give you a good sense of the kind of questions you may be asked during your interview. And by preparing thoughtful, well-reasoned answers, you’ll be able to make a strong impression and demonstrate your fit for the job.

Council on Foreign Relations Interview Process

The interview process at Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone screening interview with HR and one in-person interview with a supervisor. For internships, the process may also include a skills test. The entire process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

1. How do you think the U.S.’s foreign policy will be affected by our new government?

The interviewer may want to know how you feel about the new president and his foreign policy. You can use this question as an opportunity to show your knowledge of current events, but also that you are able to separate personal feelings from professional opinions.

Example: “I think our government’s foreign policy will be affected by a number of factors. First, I believe we’ll see more military action in the Middle East due to the fact that President Trump has promised to ‘bomb the hell out of ISIS.’ Second, I think we’ll see less cooperation with other countries on climate change because he has stated that he doesn’t believe it exists. Finally, I think we’ll see increased trade barriers between the U.S. and other countries because of his protectionist policies.”

2. What do you know about Council on Foreign Relations?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the organization and its history. It also gives you an opportunity to show that you have done some research on the company before your interview.

Example: “I know Council on Foreign Relations was founded in 1921 by Colonel Edward M. House, Walter Lippmann, Hamilton Fish Armstrong and John W. Davis. I also know it’s a non-partisan membership organization with over 5,000 members from around the world. The organization publishes Foreign Affairs magazine, which has been recognized as one of the most influential publications in the world.”

3. What would you consider to be one of your greatest strengths or weaknesses?

This question is a common one that employers ask to learn more about your personality and how you view yourself. When answering this question, it can be helpful to focus on a strength rather than a weakness.

Example: “I would consider my greatest strength to be my ability to work well with others. I have always been someone who enjoys collaborating with others to solve problems or create new ideas. In previous positions, I’ve found that many people are hesitant to collaborate because they want to receive all of the credit for their work. However, I find that by working together we can accomplish so much more.”

4. Describe a time when you had to work with someone who wasn’t very cooperative. How did you handle it?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your conflict resolution skills. Use examples from previous work experiences where you had to resolve a disagreement with a coworker or supervisor and how you handled the situation.

Example: “In my last position, I worked with a colleague who was very outspoken in meetings. While it was great that he shared his opinions, sometimes they were distracting when we were trying to discuss other topics. I approached him privately and asked if there was anything I could do to help him feel more comfortable speaking up in meetings. He appreciated the feedback and agreed to speak up less often.”

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

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your work history and how you’ve applied the skills you learned in previous roles. If you don’t have experience working in an office, consider describing a time when you had to collaborate with others on a project or task.

Example: “I worked as a freelance writer for several years before I started my current position at XYZ Company. While freelancing, I often collaborated with other writers and editors to ensure that all of our articles were well-written and met publication deadlines. In my current role, I also regularly collaborate with my team members to discuss new ideas and strategies.”

6. Tell us why you want to work at CFR.

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your interest in their organization. When you answer this question, it’s important to show that you’ve done some research on the company and understand what they do. You can also use this opportunity to highlight any specific skills or experiences that make you a good fit for the role.

Example: “I’m interested in working at CFR because I think it would be an amazing opportunity to work with other foreign policy experts. In my last job, I worked as a freelance writer where I wrote several articles on international affairs. This experience has given me valuable insight into how the world works and why it’s so important to have organizations like CFR.”

7. Which area of international relations are you most interested in? Why?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for international relations and the impact you want to make in this field. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific issue that you are passionate about and how you would like to see it resolved.

Example: “I am most interested in foreign policy and national security issues. I think these areas of study are important because they help us understand how we can protect our country from threats while also maintaining diplomatic relationships with other countries. In my last role as a research analyst, I studied the current state of U.S. military spending and found that there was room for improvement when it comes to funding our armed forces.”

8. Are you comfortable speaking on camera, as well as writing and editing articles/blogs?

The Council on Foreign Relations is a media organization that produces content for its website, social media channels and newsletters. The interviewer wants to make sure you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role.

Example: “I am comfortable speaking on camera and writing articles and blogs. In my previous position as an editor at a local newspaper, I wrote several articles per week and edited many more. I also hosted a weekly news show where I interviewed experts about current events and moderated panel discussions.”

9. Have you ever worked remotely before?

The Council on Foreign Relations is a global organization, and many of their employees work remotely. This question helps the interviewer understand your experience with remote work and how you feel about it. If you have never worked remotely before, explain why you are excited to do so.

Example: “I’ve never worked remotely before, but I am very excited for this opportunity. I love working in an office environment, but I also know that there are benefits to remote work. I’m looking forward to learning more about the Council on Foreign Relations’ remote work policies.”

10. Describe a time when you were given a project that was outside of your comfort zone. How did you approach it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach new challenges and adapt to change. Use your answer to highlight your ability to learn quickly, take initiative and work independently.

Example: “When I first started working at my current company, I was given a project that required me to research foreign policy in South America. While I had some knowledge of the region, I knew there were many aspects of South American politics that I needed to learn more about. To prepare for this project, I read several books on South American history and culture. I also watched documentaries and news reports from the region to get a better understanding of its political climate.”

11. If a team member missed their deadline for completing a task, how would you approach them?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to gauge your leadership skills and how you would handle a team member who is not meeting expectations. In your answer, try to emphasize the importance of deadlines and time management while also showing that you are willing to help others improve their performance.

Example: “I understand that missing a deadline can be stressful for both the employee and the organization as a whole. If I ever had a team member who missed a deadline, I would first make sure they understood why it was important to meet the deadline and what steps they could take in the future to avoid missing them again. Then, I would offer to help them find resources or people who could assist them with completing the task.”

12. What is your favorite part about living in New York City? Least favorite?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new colleague. It also allows you to share some of your personality and interests with the interviewer.

Example: “My favorite part about living in New York City is that it’s so diverse. I love being able to walk down the street and hear different languages, see people from all over the world and try new foods. My least favorite thing about living here is the traffic. There are times when I’m stuck in traffic for hours on end.”

13. In what ways do you think technology has changed diplomacy?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your understanding of the role technology plays in foreign policy and international relations. Use examples from your experience to explain how you use technology to advance diplomacy, or discuss how you would apply it if you haven’t had much opportunity to do so yet.

Example: “Technology has changed diplomacy by making communication between countries easier than ever before. I think that social media is especially useful for diplomats because it allows them to communicate directly with citizens of other nations. In my last position as a diplomat, I used Twitter to connect with people who were living in war-torn areas. They told me their stories, which helped me understand what they needed most.”

14. Do you have any experience managing social media accounts?

The Council on Foreign Relations is a non-partisan organization that aims to educate the public about foreign policy. As such, they want employees who can use social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to share information with their followers. If you have experience managing social media accounts, describe your process for creating content and interacting with followers.

Example: “I’ve used social media in my previous roles as a way to engage with our followers and provide them with valuable information. I typically create one or two pieces of content per week and post them to our company’s social media accounts. I also respond to comments and questions from followers so we can answer any questions they may have.”

15. Can you tell me about a time when you disagreed with a decision made by your manager? How did you respond?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and your ability to work with others. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you disagreed with a manager but were able to respectfully express your opinion and compromise or adjust your position.

Example: “In my last role as an analyst for the Department of Defense, I was tasked with researching foreign policy issues that could affect our military operations abroad. During one project, I disagreed with my supervisor’s decision to focus on only one country when there were multiple countries involved in the issue we were researching. I expressed my disagreement by explaining why I thought focusing on multiple countries would provide more valuable information. My supervisor agreed with me and adjusted the research project.”

16. What do you think is the most important issue facing this country today? How should we approach solving it?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of current events and how you would approach solving them. It’s important to show that you’re aware of the issues facing our country, but it’s also important to show that you have ideas on how we can solve them.

Example: “I think the most important issue facing this country today is foreign policy. We need to ensure that we are protecting ourselves from threats while not overreacting or making enemies. I believe that we should be more open to diplomacy and communication with other countries in order to avoid conflict.”

17. Would you say you are more of an introvert or extrovert?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you interact with others. They want to know if you are a person who can work well in a team setting or if you prefer working independently. When answering, try to be honest while also showing that you understand the importance of collaboration.

Example: “I would say I am an introvert, but only slightly. I enjoy spending time alone and doing my own thing, however, I also love meeting new people and learning from them. I think it’s important to have both extroverts and introverts on a council because they offer different perspectives and skills.”

18. Do you have any experience organizing events?

The Council on Foreign Relations often hosts events for members and the public. These events can include lectures, debates, or networking opportunities. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your event planning experience. In your answer, describe a time you organized an event. Explain what steps you took to plan it and how you ensured that everything ran smoothly.

Example: “I have organized several events in my previous role as a community organizer. I would meet with local leaders and organizations to find out what topics they wanted me to cover at our events. Then, I would reach out to experts in those fields to see if they were interested in speaking at our events. If we had enough interest, I would organize multiple events throughout the year.”

19. Please describe a time where you had to prioritize.

This question can help an interviewer understand your decision-making process and how you prioritize tasks. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you had to choose between multiple important projects or assignments.

Example: “In my current role as the director of operations for a nonprofit organization, I have to manage many different aspects of our daily operations. One day, I received several urgent phone calls from donors who were concerned about their recent donations. Some donors wanted to know if we could refund them while others wanted to know why they hadn’t received their donation receipt yet. I knew that these calls needed to be addressed immediately because they were all important issues. However, I also knew that I couldn’t ignore other important tasks like reviewing financial reports.”

20. Have you ever been asked to make a difficult decision between two equally good options?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you make decisions and what factors influence your choices. Use examples from previous work or personal experiences to explain how you made a decision between two options and why you chose one over the other.

Example: “In my last position, I was tasked with finding new ways to increase revenue for our company while also reducing costs. There were many different areas we could have reduced expenses, but there were only so many ways we could increase revenue. After discussing it with my team, we decided that increasing revenue would be more beneficial in the long run because it would allow us to reduce costs in other areas.”