20 Good Shepherd Services Interview Questions and Answers

Good Shepherd Services is a New York City-based nonprofit that provides a wide range of social services to at-risk youth and families. Good Shepherd Services offers programs in education, counseling, housing, and job training, among other areas.

If you’re applying for a job at Good Shepherd Services, you can expect the interview process to be competitive. To give yourself the best chance of landing the job, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some tough questions. In this article, we’ve gathered a list of common Good Shepherd Services interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Good Shepherd Services Interview Process

The interview process at Good Shepherd Services can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone screen and one in-person interview. For some positions, you may also be required to complete a writing sample or take a skills test. Overall, the interview process is fairly standard, but can be lengthy if you are interviewing for a higher-level position.

1. What do you know about Good Shepherd Services?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of their organization. It’s important that you do some research before going into the interview, so you can show the employer that you’re serious about this position and have done your homework.

Example: “I know Good Shepherd Services provides mental health services to children and families in need. I also know that they are one of the largest providers of these services in the state. I am excited to learn more about how the company operates and what it takes to be successful here.”

2. How would you define your leadership style?

Good Shepherd Services is a faith-based organization, and they want to make sure you can lead their team members in a way that aligns with the values of the church. Your answer should show your interviewer that you are a strong leader who can inspire others to do their best work.

Example: “I believe my leadership style is one of servant leadership. I am always looking for ways to help my team members succeed. For example, when I noticed one of my employees was struggling to balance her workload, I offered to take on some of her responsibilities so she could focus on what she does best. This helped both of us be more productive at work.”

3. Tell me about a time that you had to work with someone who was difficult, how did you handle it?

Good Shepherd Services is looking for candidates who can work well with others. This question helps them determine how you handle conflict and challenging situations. Use your answer to show that you are willing to help others, even if they’re difficult to work with.

Example: “I once worked with a colleague who was very critical of my work. I tried to be patient with her because she had been working at the company longer than me. However, it became clear that she wasn’t going to change her behavior. So, I spoke with our supervisor about the situation. They helped us come up with strategies to make sure we were both able to do our jobs without getting in each other’s way.”

4. Why do you want to work at Good Shepherd Services?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about Good Shepherd Services that interests you or what drew you to apply for the position.

Example: “I want to work at Good Shepherd Services because I am passionate about helping children who have experienced trauma. In my last role as a child therapist, I worked with many kids who had been through difficult situations, and I found that I was able to make a real difference in their lives. I think I would be an excellent addition to your team because of my experience working with traumatized children.”

5. What are some of the challenges facing social workers today?

Good Shepherd Services is a nonprofit organization, so the interviewer may want to know that you understand the challenges facing social workers. This question can also help them determine if your personality and skills are a good fit for their company. When answering this question, try to think of some specific challenges that you’ve faced in your career.

Example: “One challenge I see facing social workers today is burnout. It’s important to me to find work that I enjoy, but it can be difficult when we’re working with clients who have such challenging situations. Another challenge is finding enough time to complete all of our tasks each day. We often have many responsibilities, which makes it hard to stay on top of everything.”

6. Describe a time when you helped solve a problem for a client.

Good Shepherd Services wants to know that you can use your problem-solving skills to help clients. When answering this question, think of a time when you helped a client overcome an obstacle or find a solution to their problem.

Example: “When I worked at the local library, I had a client who came in looking for books on how to get rid of rats. He was having trouble with them in his basement and wanted to know what he could do about it. After asking him some questions, I found out that he had a lot of food lying around in his basement. We talked about ways to store food so we didn’t attract rodents. He also agreed to clean up his basement more often.”

7. Do you have experience working in an environment where there is high traffic and noise?

Good Shepherd Services is a busy place, and the interviewer wants to make sure you can handle working in an environment with lots of people. High traffic areas are common for security guards because they often work at night or during events where there are many people. Security guards must be able to stay focused on their tasks despite the noise and activity around them.

Example: “I have worked as a security guard at several large concerts and sporting events. I am used to high traffic environments, but I also know how important it is to remain vigilant even when things get hectic. I always keep my eyes open for suspicious behavior and report anything that looks out of place.”

8. Have you ever worked on a team project where one or more members were not pulling their weight, how did you handle it?

Good Shepherd Services is a team-oriented environment, so it’s important to show that you can work well with others. When answering this question, try to focus on your ability to communicate and resolve conflict.

Example: “In my last position as a social worker, I worked with a colleague who was often late for meetings and sometimes missed them entirely. At first, I tried to be understanding about the situation, but after several weeks of missing meetings, I decided to talk to her about it. She apologized and explained that she had been having some personal issues that were preventing her from being at work on time. We agreed that she would let me know if there were any more problems.”

9. What makes a good counselor?

Good counselors are compassionate and empathetic. They listen to their clients, understand their needs and help them find solutions. A hiring manager may ask this question to learn more about your counseling philosophy. In your answer, explain what you think makes a good counselor. Share some of the skills or traits that helped you succeed in your previous role.

Example: “A good counselor is someone who can relate to others. I believe it’s important for a counselor to have experienced many of the same challenges as their client. This helps me better understand my clients’ struggles and provides me with advice on how to overcome them. It also helps if a counselor has strong communication skills. I always make sure to communicate clearly with my clients so they know exactly what to expect from our sessions.”

10. How do you think we can help children develop into successful adults?

This question can help the interviewer understand your perspective on how to best support children in their development. Use examples from your experience working with children and adolescents to explain what you think is important for them to succeed as adults.

Example: “I believe that it’s crucial for children to have a safe environment where they feel comfortable expressing themselves. I also think it’s important for them to develop strong relationships with caring adults who are willing to listen to them and provide guidance when needed. In my last role, I worked with many teenagers who were struggling with anxiety or depression. I helped them learn coping strategies so they could overcome these challenges and become more confident individuals.”

11. Explain what you think is the most important thing to consider when creating a program for young people.

Good Shepherd Services works with young people, so the interviewer wants to know that you understand how to create a positive environment for them. Use your answer to show that you have experience working with youth and can apply what you’ve learned in previous roles.

Example: “I think it’s important to make sure that programs are fun but also educational. I once worked at an after-school program where we had a lot of fun activities planned each day, but we also made sure to incorporate lessons into our activities. For example, when we played basketball, we would talk about teamwork and communication. We found that this helped students learn while having fun.”

12. What qualities do you think make a good supervisor?

Good supervisors are often the ones who can help their team members grow and develop. They also need to be able to make decisions that benefit the entire organization, not just one individual employee. When answering this question, it’s important to show your ability to lead a team while still being empathetic to others’ needs.

Example: “I think a good supervisor should have strong communication skills, as well as the ability to listen to everyone on their team. I believe empathy is an important quality for any leader because it helps you understand what challenges your employees may be facing. A good supervisor should also be someone who can make tough decisions when necessary. It’s important to balance compassion with accountability.”

13. Who inspires you?

Good Shepherd Services wants to know that you have a passion for helping others. They want to see that you are inspired by the work of someone else and can apply their values to your own life. When answering this question, think about who has motivated you in your career or personal life.

Example: “I am inspired by my grandmother. She was an orphan during World War II and lost her parents when she was only five years old. She lived with different families until she was adopted at age nine. My grandmother went on to become a successful businesswoman and philanthropist. I admire how hard she worked to overcome adversity and achieve success.”

14. What type of programs have you created before?

Good Shepherd Services may ask this question to learn more about your creativity and problem-solving skills. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific program you created in the past that helped others or improved an aspect of your workplace.

Example: “In my last role as a social worker, I noticed that many families were struggling with transportation issues. So, I started a carpooling system where we would drive families to their appointments and other important events. This was so successful that we even expanded the program to include people who didn’t need our services but wanted to help out. Eventually, we had enough drivers to create a full-time bus service for those in need.”

15. What do you think are the biggest issues facing families in New York City?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your knowledge about the community you would be working in. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some specific challenges that families face and how you might address them.

Example: “I think one of the biggest issues facing New York City families is poverty. Many children are growing up in low-income households, which means they may not have access to resources like nutritious food or quality childcare. I believe that providing these services for free can make a big difference in helping kids succeed later in life. In my last role, I helped create a program where we provided free meals to all students during the summer months when school was out.”

16. What are some ways that we can get more volunteers involved in our programs?

Good Shepherd Services is looking for someone who can help them get more volunteers involved in their programs. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have any ideas on how to increase volunteer participation and engagement. Use examples from your experience of getting people involved in volunteering or community service projects.

Example: “I think one way we could get more volunteers involved is by creating a database of all our current volunteers. I’ve seen this done before, where organizations create databases of all their volunteers so they can easily contact them when new opportunities arise. Another idea would be to offer incentives for volunteering. For example, maybe offering discounts at local businesses for those who volunteer with us.”

17. Give us an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a client.

Good Shepherd Services wants to know that you’re willing to go the extra mile for their clients. This is a great opportunity to show your dedication and passion for helping others.

Example: “When I was working as an in-home care provider, one of my clients had recently lost her husband. She was struggling with caring for herself and her two young children. One day, she called me crying because she didn’t have any food in the house. I told her not to worry, and I would be there within 30 minutes with groceries. When I arrived at her home, I helped her put away the groceries and made sure she felt comfortable. After that, I visited her every week to make sure she was okay.”

18. What is your experience with helping clients find housing?

Good Shepherd Services may ask this question to learn more about your experience with helping clients find housing. This is an important part of the job, and they want to make sure you have the skills necessary to help their clients succeed in finding a home. In your answer, try to explain what steps you take when helping someone find housing. You can also mention any specific experiences you’ve had with helping people find housing.

Example: “I have helped several clients find housing before. I first start by learning as much as I can about the client’s situation. Then, I look for affordable housing options that meet their needs. If there are no suitable options available, I work with them to create a plan to get ready to move into a new place. For example, I once worked with a client who was homeless. We found a temporary shelter where she could stay until we found her a permanent home.”

19. Are you comfortable working with children and teenagers?

Good Shepherd Services works with children and teenagers who have experienced trauma, abuse or neglect. The interviewer wants to make sure you’re comfortable working with these populations. Use your answer to highlight your interpersonal skills and ability to connect with others.

Example: “I’ve worked in a school setting for the past five years, so I’m very familiar with working with children and teenagers. In my current role, I work as a guidance counselor where I help students with their academic needs. However, I also spend time talking with them about their personal lives and how they can overcome challenges. This experience has helped me develop strong communication skills that I use when interacting with all types of people.”

20. What do you think is the best way to deal with conflict between two coworkers?

Good Shepherd Services is a faith-based organization, so it’s likely that you’ll work with people of different backgrounds and beliefs. Your answer to this question can show the interviewer how you would handle working with someone who has a different opinion than you do.

Example: “I think it’s important to be respectful when dealing with conflict between coworkers. I would first try to understand where they’re coming from and what their perspective is. If we disagree on something, I would explain my reasoning calmly and respectfully. I believe that if we listen to each other and treat one another kindly, we can find common ground and resolve our differences.”