17 Crisis Worker Interview Questions and Answers

When a crisis hits, it’s critical to have crisis workers on hand to provide support to those affected. Crisis workers help people through a traumatic experience by providing comfort, information, and resources. They may also provide support to family and friends of those affected by the crisis.

If you’re interested in becoming a crisis worker, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some questions about crisis work in an interview. In this guide, we’ll provide you with some common questions and answers that will help you stand out in a crisis worker interview.

Are you comfortable working with people who are experiencing a crisis?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with people who are experiencing a crisis. Use your answer to highlight any skills or experiences that make you a good fit for this role.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with people who are in a crisis situation because I’ve done it before and know how to handle it. In my last position, I worked with someone who was going through a divorce and had no idea what to do about it. They were overwhelmed by everything they needed to do and didn’t know where to start. I helped them create a plan of action so they could get their life back on track.”

What are some of the most important skills for a crisis worker?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of the most important skills for a crisis worker and explain why they are so important.

Example: “The two most important skills for a crisis worker are active listening and problem-solving. Active listening is important because it allows me to understand what my client is saying, which helps me better respond to their needs. Problem-solving is also essential because I need to be able to solve problems quickly when working with clients who may be experiencing an emergency situation. These skills allow me to provide support to my clients while ensuring that they feel safe.”

How would you handle a situation where you disagree with a supervisor about how to best support a client?

As a crisis worker, you may encounter situations where your supervisor or another colleague disagrees with how you’re supporting a client. It’s important to be able to work well with others and understand that there are often multiple ways to support clients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you disagreed with someone but still managed to collaborate effectively.

Example: “When I was working as a case manager for the Department of Child Services, I had a disagreement with my supervisor about how best to support a single mother who was struggling to care for her children. My supervisor believed we should remove the children from their home and place them in foster care while the mother worked on improving her parenting skills. However, I felt that removing the children would only cause more harm than good. After discussing our different perspectives, we decided to try a compromise by providing the mother with additional resources and services.”

What is your process for identifying and prioritizing the needs of a client in a crisis?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach a client’s needs and determine which ones are most important. Your answer should include steps that show your ability to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively and make decisions in a crisis situation.

Example: “When I first meet with a client, I ask them what their current situation is and what they need from me as a crisis worker. If they have multiple concerns or requests, I try to address each one immediately so they feel like they’re getting the support they need. For example, if they want someone to stay with them while they wait for an ambulance, I’ll call another team member to assist. Then, I’ll focus on addressing any immediate safety concerns before moving on to other issues.”

Provide an example of a time when you successfully helped a client work through their feelings of anger or frustration.

This question can help interviewers understand how you use your interpersonal skills to help clients. It can also show them that you have experience working with people who are experiencing challenging emotions. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you helped someone work through their feelings and the positive outcome of that interaction.

Example: “When I was working as a crisis hotline operator, I once had a client call me who was very upset about something. They were so loud on the phone that I could barely hear what they were saying. After calming them down, I learned that they were frustrated because they couldn’t find a job after months of searching. I listened to them vent for several minutes before asking questions to learn more about their situation.

I then used my knowledge of resources in our area to direct them toward some local organizations that might be able to help them. By the end of the conversation, they felt much better and agreed to apply to one of those organizations.”

If a client is experiencing suicidal thoughts, what steps would you take to ensure their safety?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to handle crisis situations. Use examples from past experiences where you helped clients overcome suicidal thoughts and remain safe.

Example: “I would first make sure that they have a plan for how they will attempt suicide, so I can ensure they have access to whatever resources or medications they need. Then, I would try to get them to agree to go to the hospital or call their doctor. If they refuse, I would stay with them until someone else could take over. In my last position, I once had a client who was experiencing suicidal thoughts but refused to go to the hospital. I stayed with her for several hours until she agreed to seek treatment.”

What would you do if you noticed another crisis worker struggling to support a client?

This question can help interviewers understand how you work as a team and support your colleagues. Your answer should show that you value teamwork and are willing to offer assistance when needed.

Example: “If I noticed another crisis worker struggling, I would ask if they need any help. If the situation was urgent, I would take over for them so they could focus on their client. In non-urgent situations, I would try to find out what resources or information they needed to help them with their case. This way, I can ensure my colleague has everything they need to do their job well.”

How well do you handle feeling overwhelmed or stressed while on the job?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you react to stressful situations and whether you have strategies for coping with them. Your answer should show that you are able to manage stress effectively, even in a high-pressure environment.

Example: “I understand that working as a crisis counselor can be very stressful at times. However, I also know that it’s important to remain calm and focused when helping others through their difficult experiences. In my previous role, I would take short breaks throughout the day to allow myself time to relax and reflect on what I was doing. This helped me stay grounded and avoid feeling overwhelmed by the work.”

Do you have any experience working with clients who speak a different language?

If the organization you’re interviewing with serves a diverse population, they may ask this question to see if you have experience working with people who speak different languages. In your answer, share an example of how you used translation services or other methods to communicate with clients who don’t speak English.

Example: “In my last role as a crisis counselor, I worked with a large number of Spanish-speaking clients. To ensure that everyone understood what I was saying, I learned some basic phrases in Spanish and always made sure to have a translator on hand when needed. This helped me build trust with many of my Spanish-speaking clients and ensured that we were able to communicate effectively.”

When working with clients who have mental health issues, how do you determine when to refer them to a professional?

This question can help the interviewer understand your decision-making process and how you apply it to clients. Use examples from previous experience to show that you know when to refer a client to another professional for their best interest.

Example: “I have worked with many clients who had mental health issues, including depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. I always make sure they are comfortable talking about their symptoms and treatment plans before making any referrals. If a client is open to discussing their feelings and concerns, I will ask them questions to determine if they need more specialized care or support. For example, I once worked with a client who was experiencing suicidal thoughts. After asking her about her symptoms and listening to her responses, I referred her to a psychiatrist so she could receive medication and counseling.”

We want to ensure our clients feel comfortable expressing their emotions. How would you encourage a client to open up during a session?

This question can help the interviewer evaluate your interpersonal skills and ability to connect with clients. Use examples from past experiences where you helped a client feel comfortable expressing their emotions or feelings during a session.

Example: “I find that it’s important for me to create an environment of trust and openness when working with clients. I try to make sure they know I’m here to listen, not judge them or give advice. In my last role as a crisis counselor, I had a client who was struggling with depression. She told me she felt like no one understood what she was going through. I listened intently while she talked about her struggles and how she was feeling. When she finished talking, I asked her if there was anything else she wanted to talk about. She said she didn’t think so but then opened up more about her feelings.”

Describe your process for building trust with a client during a crisis.

When working with clients in a crisis, it’s important to build trust quickly. This question helps the interviewer evaluate your ability to establish rapport and create an environment where clients feel comfortable sharing information. Use examples from previous experiences that show you can work effectively under pressure and develop strong relationships with clients.

Example: “When I first meet a client during a crisis, I try to make them feel as comfortable as possible. I ask open-ended questions about their situation and listen carefully to what they have to say. When I’m listening, I maintain eye contact and nod my head to show that I understand what they’re saying. I also use active listening techniques like repeating back what they said to ensure I understood correctly. These steps help me build rapport quickly and demonstrate that I care about the client.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this role?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications for the role. They want to know what makes you a good fit for their organization and how you can contribute to its success. Before your interview, make a list of all your skills and experiences that relate to this position. Think about which ones are most important for this role and highlight them in your answer.

Example: “I am an ideal candidate for this role because I have extensive experience working with people who are experiencing emotional distress. In my previous role as a crisis counselor, I helped many people overcome challenging situations. I also have excellent communication skills, so I can help clients feel comfortable when they’re speaking with me. These skills make me well-suited for this role.”

Which areas of psychology do you have the most experience with?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience and expertise in psychology. It can also show them which areas you enjoy working with most. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to mention a few specific psychological concepts that are relevant to the role you’re interviewing for.

Example: “I have worked extensively with patients who suffer from anxiety disorders, depression and PTSD. I find these conditions to be some of the most challenging to work with but also rewarding when I see my patients make progress. I’ve found that many of these patients benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, so I am always looking for ways to improve their treatment.”

What do you think is the most important thing that crisis workers can do to help clients feel safe and supported?

This question can help the interviewer understand your approach to helping others and how you might fit into their organization. Use examples from your experience that show your ability to support clients, develop relationships with them and provide a safe environment for them to share information or feelings.

Example: “I think it’s important for crisis workers to be empathetic and compassionate when interacting with clients. I always try to make sure my clients know they are supported and understood by me. In my last role, I had a client who was experiencing suicidal thoughts. She told me she felt like no one else could understand what she was going through. I spent time listening to her describe her situation and asking questions about her feelings so that I could better understand her perspective. This helped her feel more comfortable talking to me.”

How often do you think crisis workers should rotate through different clients?

This question can help interviewers understand your approach to helping clients and how you balance the needs of multiple people at once. Your answer should show that you value each client’s experience and want to provide them with quality care.

Example: “I think it is important for crisis workers to rotate through different clients because we need to be able to give our full attention to each individual. I also believe that rotating helps us learn from other crisis workers, which can improve our own abilities as professionals. However, I do not think it is beneficial to rotate too frequently or without a good reason. If possible, I would like to stay with one client until they are no longer in need of support.”

There is a high volume of clients today and you’ve already reached your quota for the day. How do you stay motivated and continue to provide support?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle stress and pressure. It also shows them that you are able to prioritize your tasks, manage time effectively and work well under pressure.

Example: “I find it important to take a break every hour or so to refresh myself mentally and physically. I make sure to eat healthy snacks throughout the day and get enough sleep at night. If I feel overwhelmed by my workload, I try to delegate some of the more mundane tasks to other coworkers. This helps me focus on the clients who need immediate attention.”