20 Goldfish Swim School Interview Questions and Answers

Goldfish Swim School is much more than a place to learn how to swim. They are an organization built on the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to become a confident swimmer in a safe and nurturing environment.

They are looking for individuals who share their passion for making a difference in the lives of children and their families. If you are interested in joining the Goldfish team, please review the following information to help you prepare for your interview.

Goldfish Swim School Interview Process

The interview process at Goldfish Swim School is relatively quick and easy. Most applicants report having a phone screen followed by an in-person interview. The questions asked during the interviews are mostly about past experiences working with children and swimming. Overall, the experience is positive and applicants report feeling welcomed by the staff.

1. Do you have any experience working with children?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have any experience working with children and how that experience may relate to your potential role at Goldfish Swim School. If you don’t have direct experience, consider sharing a story about an interaction or situation where you worked with children in a professional setting.

Example: “I’ve been babysitting since I was 12 years old, so I have plenty of experience working with kids. In my last position as a swim instructor, I taught both adults and children how to swim. I find that teaching children is very rewarding because they are eager to learn and excited to be there.”

2. Have you ever worked in a team environment before?

Goldfish Swim School is a team-oriented environment, so it’s important that you have experience working with others. This question helps the interviewer determine if you’re comfortable in this type of work setting and how well you can collaborate with your future coworkers. In your answer, explain what made you successful in previous teamwork experiences and highlight any skills or traits that helped you succeed.

Example: “I’ve worked in a team environment for most of my career, starting as a server at a restaurant when I was in high school. My manager was great at delegating tasks to us servers, which allowed us to learn different aspects of the job while also helping each other out. At my current job, I’m part of a small marketing team where we all contribute ideas and help one another edit our projects.”

3. What do you think is the most important thing to teach kids when it comes to swimming?

This question is an opportunity to show your teaching skills and how you can help kids learn. It’s important to be able to explain what swimming techniques are the most helpful for children, as well as why they’re beneficial.

Example: “I think it’s essential to teach kids proper breathing techniques when learning how to swim. If a child knows how to breathe properly while in the water, then they’ll have more energy to put into their strokes. I also believe that it’s important to make sure kids know how to float on their backs before moving onto other strokes. This will give them confidence in the water and allow them to feel comfortable no matter which way they turn.”

4. How would you handle an upset parent?

As a teacher, you may encounter parents who are upset about their child’s progress or behavior. Interviewers want to know how you would handle this situation in order to keep the parent happy and ensure that they continue to enroll their child at your school. Use examples from previous experience where you were able to diffuse an uncomfortable situation with a parent and maintain positive relationships with them.

Example: “I have had several instances where I’ve encountered upset parents. In these situations, I try my best to listen to what the parent is saying and understand why they’re upset. Once I understand the issue, I explain our policies and procedures for handling similar situations in the future. If the parent remains unhappy, I offer to meet with them one-on-one so we can discuss their concerns further.”

5. Why are you interested in working at Goldfish Swim School?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your motivations for applying. They want to know what you find most appealing about the job and whether it aligns with their company culture. When preparing your answer, think about why you are passionate about working in a swim school environment. Consider sharing personal experiences that led you to pursue a career as a swim instructor.

Example: “I am interested in working at Goldfish Swim School because I have always loved swimming. Ever since I was a child, I would spend hours splashing around in the pool. My parents enrolled me in lessons when I was five years old, and I fell in love with the sport. Now, I teach swimming lessons to children of all ages. It is rewarding to see them overcome their fears and develop confidence in the water.”

6. Describe your past customer service experience, what was your favorite part about it?

Goldfish Swim School is a customer service-oriented business, so it’s important to show the interviewer that you have experience in this area. Your answer should include an example of your past customer service skills and how they helped you succeed in your previous role.

Example: “My favorite part about working as a swim instructor was helping parents learn how to support their children while swimming. I would always make sure to explain every step of the process to them so they knew what to expect from me and their child. This made my job more enjoyable because I could see the progress families were making.”

7. Are you comfortable working around water?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you are comfortable working with water and swimming. You can answer this question by describing a time when you worked around water or how you feel about it.

Example: “I am very comfortable working around water, as I have been doing so for the past five years. In my previous position, I was responsible for teaching children how to swim in a pool. I also helped them learn how to float on their backs in the deep end of the pool. I enjoy being able to help others overcome their fears of water and teach them new skills.”

8. What would you say is your biggest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. Interviewers want to know what your strengths are so they can use them when you start working for them. They also want to know about any weaknesses that you’re actively working on improving.

Example: “My biggest strength is my ability to work well with others. I’ve always been someone who enjoys helping others learn new things, and I’m very patient when teaching children how to swim or other skills. My weakness would be my attention to detail. While I am usually quite organized, I have had some issues in the past where I forgot to do something important because I was distracted by another task.”

9. If there were two instructors teaching a class and one of them was clearly not doing their job, how would you handle it?

This question is a great way to test your leadership skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention that you would first try to help the instructor improve their teaching methods or provide them with additional resources.

Example: “If I noticed one of my instructors was struggling with a lesson plan or wasn’t engaging with students, I would ask them if they needed any help. If they said no, I would offer to give them some tips on how to improve their class. If they agreed, I would spend time observing their lessons and giving them feedback on what they could do differently.”

10. Tell me about a time where you had to adapt to a new situation quickly.

This question can help an interviewer understand how you adapt to change and challenges. Use your answer to highlight a time when you had to learn new skills or information quickly, which helped you succeed in the situation.

Example: “When I first started working as a swim instructor at my previous job, I was responsible for teaching children of all ages and abilities. One day, one of our instructors called out sick, so I had to teach two classes by myself. At first, I was nervous about having to do this alone, but I realized that I could use the skills I taught in each class to help me with the other class. By the end of the day, I felt confident in my ability to teach both classes on my own.”

11. What other languages are you fluent in besides English?

Goldfish Swim School is a multilingual school, and they want to know if you can speak any other languages. They also want to see how comfortable you are with learning new languages. If you’re not fluent in another language, explain that you have experience learning one.

Example: “I’m fluent in English, but I’ve always wanted to learn Spanish. In high school, I took a few years of Spanish, but I never got the chance to practice it outside of class. Now, I use Duolingo to refresh my memory on the basics. I find it’s a great way to get back into practicing the language.”

12. What would you do if a student started crying during a lesson?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle challenging situations. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of what you did and the results.

Example: “I once had a student who was afraid of water splashing in his face. He would cry every time I tried to teach him how to blow bubbles underwater. Instead of ignoring his tears or trying to get him to stop crying, I asked him if he wanted me to hold his hand while blowing bubbles. He agreed, so I held his hand under the water as we blew bubbles together. After that, he didn’t mind practicing on his own.”

13. Are you familiar with the swim levels that we use here at Goldfish Swim School?

The interviewer may ask you this question to see if you are familiar with the swim levels that Goldfish Swim School uses. This is because they want to make sure you can teach their students effectively and efficiently. In your answer, explain which swim level you have experience teaching and why it’s important for children to learn at each level.

Example: “I am very familiar with the Goldfish Swim School swim levels. I actually started my career as a swimming instructor at a local community center where we used these same swim levels. The reason it’s so important for kids to learn at each level is because it helps them build confidence in the water while also giving them the skills they need to advance to the next level.”

14. What is your availability like?

This question is a great way to determine if you’re available for the job. Employers want to know that you can work their hours and be on time. They also want to make sure you have enough free time to do your job well. When answering this question, let them know what days and times you are available. If you have any special circumstances, like having young children or other jobs, mention those as well.

Example: “I am available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. I have no special circumstances, so I’m able to work all of these hours. I understand that there may be some late nights when we need to stay open later. I am willing to do whatever it takes to help Goldfish Swim School succeed.”

15. What would you do if a child’s parent asked you for advice on how to improve their child’s swimming skills?

This question can help interviewers understand how you interact with parents and guardians. Showcase your communication skills by explaining what you would say to the parent and why it’s important for them to hear that advice.

Example: “I would first ask the parent if they have a specific goal in mind for their child, such as wanting them to be able to swim across the pool or learn how to dive. I would then explain that there are different levels of swimming, from beginner to advanced, and that each level takes time and practice to master. I would also tell them that while I am happy to offer tips on improving their child’s skills, ultimately, the most effective way to improve is through consistent practice.”

16. When was the last time you went above and beyond for a customer?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your customer service skills. They want to know that you’re willing to go above and beyond for their customers as well. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight an example where you went out of your way to make sure a customer was happy with your services or products.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a customer who came in every week looking for a new pair of shoes because they were always breaking. After talking with them about what they did in their everyday life, I recommended a more durable shoe that would last longer. The next week, they returned with a smile on their face saying how much they loved the new shoes. It made me feel good knowing that I helped them find something that would work for them.”

17. What do you think makes a great teacher?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching philosophy. They want to know what you value in a teacher and how you would apply those values to the role if you’re hired. In your answer, try to describe some of the qualities that make you a great teacher. You can also use this opportunity to explain any unique or interesting methods you have for engaging students.

Example: “I think a great teacher is someone who makes learning fun for their students. I always made sure my students had plenty of opportunities to play with each other and interact with me during lessons. I find that when children are having fun, they’re more likely to pay attention and remember what they’ve learned.”

18. Have you ever taught anyone to swim before?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential employer’s expectations for teaching swimming. If they ask this, it’s likely that they want you to have some experience teaching others how to swim. This can be an important part of the job, so make sure you’re honest and let them know if you’ve ever taught someone before.

Example: “Yes, I have. When I was in high school, I volunteered at my local community center where I helped teach kids how to swim. It was a lot of fun, and I learned a lot from the experience. I’m excited to get back into teaching.”

19. Do you have any certifications?

Goldfish Swim School is looking for instructors who have certifications in teaching swimming. If you have a certification, be sure to mention it during your interview. If you don’t have any certifications, you can still get hired as long as you are willing to take the necessary training courses.

Example: “I am certified through Goldfish Swim School’s partner organization, Aquatic Safety Training. I also hold my Red Cross lifeguard certification and CPR certification.”

20. We try to make sure our classes stay fun and engaging. What types of games or activities can you bring to the table?

Goldfish Swim School wants to know that you can keep the kids engaged and having fun in class. They want to make sure their students have a good time while learning how to swim, so they ask this question to see if you’re creative enough to come up with some fun activities for the kids.

Example: “I’ve been teaching swimming lessons for five years now, and I always try to bring new games or activities to my classes. For example, last week we played ‘Goldfish Bingo’ where the kids had to find goldfish hidden throughout the pool. It was a great way to get them looking around and paying attention to what’s going on around them.”