20 Greenpeace Interview Questions and Answers

When you go for an interview with Greenpeace, you can expect to be asked questions about your motivation for wanting to work with the organization, as well as your skills and experience. The interviewer will also want to know about your knowledge of environmental issues, and your opinions on the Greenpeace campaigns.

Greenpeace Interview Process

The interview process at Greenpeace can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, like internships and frontline canvassing, the process may be relatively brief and straightforward. For other positions, like senior campaigner or investigator, the process may be longer and more involved. Overall, the experience seems to be generally positive, with friendly and helpful staff members.

1. What areas of Greenpeace’s work do you find interesting?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have done your research on Greenpeace and its mission. It also helps them understand what areas of their work you would be most passionate about working in. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific campaigns or projects that you find interesting.

Example: “I am very interested in environmental issues, so I was excited to learn that Greenpeace is a leader in protecting our oceans from overfishing and pollution. I think it’s important for us to protect marine life because we depend on it for food and other resources. I also love animals, so I’m really glad to see that Greenpeace has an active campaign against animal testing.”

2. How would you describe yourself in three words?

This question is a way for the interviewer to get to know you better. They want to see if your personality matches with Greenpeace’s values and mission. Your answer should show that you are passionate, dedicated and honest.

Example: “I would describe myself as determined, empathetic and creative. I am driven by my passion for environmentalism, which makes me feel like I can accomplish anything. I also have an innate ability to understand people and their emotions, which helps me connect with others. My creativity allows me to think outside of the box when it comes to problem-solving.”

3. What are some personality traits that successful canvassers have in common?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the right personality for working with Greenpeace. Use your answer to highlight any skills or traits that you possess and how they could benefit you in this role.

Example: “I think canvassers who are successful have a genuine passion for their cause, as well as an ability to remain calm under pressure. I’ve been on many campaigns where we were met with opposition from locals, so it’s important to be able to diffuse tense situations while still remaining respectful of others’ opinions. Another trait that is beneficial is being comfortable speaking in front of large crowds. This skill has helped me get through some challenging moments during my career.”

4. Why should we hire you to be a canvasser?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for the organization and its mission. You can use this question as a chance to talk about what you know about Greenpeace, how you would be a valuable employee and why you are passionate about environmentalism.

Example: “I am passionate about Greenpeace because I believe that we need to protect our planet from climate change. As someone who grew up in California, I have seen firsthand the effects of drought and wildfires on my state. I want to help save our planet so future generations can enjoy it too. I think I would make a great canvasser because I am highly motivated by challenges and I love talking to people.”

5. What is your experience fundraising, engaging with the public and/or recruiting new members?

Greenpeace is a nonprofit organization that relies on donations from the public to fund its operations. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience with fundraising, as this is an important part of working for Greenpeace.

Example: “I’ve worked in several nonprofits where I was responsible for raising money through events and online campaigns. In my last position, I raised over $100,000 by organizing a 5K race and other fun activities like a pie-eating contest. I also recruited new members by offering free T-shirts to anyone who signed up for our newsletter.”

6. Canvassing requires you to interact with strangers on a daily basis. Are you comfortable doing this?

This question is an opportunity for you to show the interviewer that you are comfortable talking with strangers and can do so in a professional manner.

Example: “Yes, I am very comfortable speaking with strangers about Greenpeace’s mission and goals. In my last position, I canvassed on behalf of our local animal shelter. While I was not working for Greenpeace at the time, I would often speak with people about the importance of adopting animals from shelters rather than buying them from pet stores or breeders. Many people were receptive to this message, and we saw a significant increase in adoptions as a result.”

7. Tell us about a time when you had to meet a strict quota or deadline.

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you handle pressure and deadlines. Use examples from your previous job to showcase your ability to meet quotas or deadlines while still maintaining high-quality work.

Example: “In my last position, I had to write at least one article per day for our website. This was challenging because I also had to conduct research on each topic and ensure that it was well-written. However, I found ways to balance this quota with other responsibilities by setting aside time every morning to plan out my writing for the day. This helped me stay organized and meet my quota consistently.”

8. What is your favorite aspect about working for nonprofits?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for the nonprofit sector. When answering, think about what you enjoy most about working in this field and how it relates to Greenpeace.

Example: “My favorite aspect of working for nonprofits is being able to make a real difference in the world. I love knowing that my work can help protect animals or preserve our environment. Working at Greenpeace would be especially rewarding because I know that I could help save endangered species or stop oil spills from happening.”

9. If you could improve one thing about Greenpeace, what would it be?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your understanding of Greenpeace and how you might fit into their organization. Your answer should show that you understand what Greenpeace does, but also highlight an area where you think they could improve.

Example: “I would like to see Greenpeace become more transparent about its finances. I know this is something the organization has been working on in recent years, but it’s still not as open with its financials as other organizations. If I were hired, I would work hard to ensure that Greenpeace was fully transparent about all of its spending.”

10. Have you ever tried to convince someone to see things from another perspective? Tell me about how you approached it.

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and how you can persuade others. It also shows that you are willing to take action when needed.

Example: “I once had a coworker who was very opposed to the idea of recycling. I tried to approach it from his perspective, asking him why he felt that way. He told me that he didn’t think it was worth the time because we were just throwing things away anyway. I explained to him that by recycling, we could save more resources than we would have if we threw them out. He agreed with me after hearing my argument.”

11. Do you know anyone who has volunteered at Greenpeace before?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the organization and how you might fit in. If you know someone who has volunteered at Greenpeace, ask them about their experience. You can also talk about any other organizations that are similar to Greenpeace.

Example: “I have a friend who worked for Greenpeace last summer. She said it was one of the most rewarding experiences of her life. She told me she learned so much about environmental issues and met some amazing people. I think working for an organization like Greenpeace would be a great opportunity for me.”

12. In your opinion, why is environmental protection important?

This question is a great way to assess your passion for the environment and how you can use it to benefit Greenpeace. In your answer, try to show that you understand why environmental protection is important and what steps you would take to help protect the environment if you were hired.

Example: “Environmental protection is important because we need to preserve our planet for future generations. I think it’s crucial that we work together as a global community to make sure that we’re taking care of our natural resources. If I were hired at Greenpeace, I would be committed to making sure that we are doing everything we can to protect the environment.”

13. Tell us about a time where you were able to make an impact in your community.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are passionate about making positive change in the world. When answering this question, it can be helpful to talk about how you were able to make an impact and what steps you took to do so.

Example: “When I was in high school, there was a large oil spill near my hometown. The local government didn’t have any plans for cleaning up the spill, so I organized a group of volunteers to clean up the mess themselves. We spent two weeks collecting trash from the shoreline and waterways. It wasn’t enough to completely clean up the area, but we did our best to help.”

14. Where do you see yourself in five 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 future plans but also show that you’re willing to stay with the company for a long time.

Example: “I plan on staying at Greenpeace for many years because I love what we do here. In five years, I hope to have moved up within the organization and am working as an environmental activist. I would like to continue my work in protecting our oceans from pollution.”

15. Our organization receives many applicants each year, why should we choose you?

This question is a great opportunity to show your knowledge of the organization and how you can contribute. You should research the company thoroughly before your interview, including its mission statement, recent campaigns and any news articles about it.

Example: “I am passionate about Greenpeace’s work in protecting our planet from environmental damage. I believe that we need more people like you who are willing to stand up for what they believe in. In my last role as an activist, I organized a protest against a local factory that was polluting the river. The factory eventually closed down after pressure from the government.”

16. What does customer service mean to you?

Customer service is an important part of working for Greenpeace. The organization needs employees who can help customers with their questions and concerns about the company’s products or services. Your answer should show that you understand what customer service means to a business. You can also use this question as an opportunity to explain how your previous experience has helped you develop strong customer service skills.

Example: “Customer service is my top priority when I’m working with a client. I believe it’s important to listen to our customers’ concerns and respond in a timely manner. In my last position, I was responsible for answering emails from customers. I always responded within 24 hours and tried to resolve any issues they were having with our product. This helped me learn more about the company’s products and services so I could better assist customers.”

17. Which type of leadership style do you prefer?

This question can help the interviewer determine if your leadership style aligns with Greenpeace’s. It can also show them how you would lead a team of Greenpeace employees. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention which type of leader you are and why that is.

Example: “I prefer democratic leadership because I believe in empowering my team members. I think everyone has valuable ideas and opinions, so I like to give people the opportunity to share their thoughts. This helps me get feedback on projects and ideas from all angles. I find that when I empower my team members, they feel more invested in the organization as a whole.”

18. Describe a time when you felt like you went above and beyond for a client.

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your work ethic and how you approach projects. Use examples from previous jobs to highlight your dedication, passion and commitment to excellence.

Example: “In my last position as an account manager for a marketing firm, I had a client who was looking to expand their business into new markets. They were having trouble finding the right target audience and needed someone to help them develop a more effective marketing strategy. I spent hours researching different demographics and analyzing data to find out where they could reach their ideal customers. In the end, we found that expanding into rural areas would be most beneficial for the company.”

19. What causes are you passionate about?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the environment and how you can use it to benefit Greenpeace. When answering this question, try to focus on causes that are related to Greenpeace’s mission.

Example: “I am passionate about animal rights and environmental conservation. I believe that we need to protect our planet so future generations have a safe place to live. I also think that animals deserve to be treated with respect and should not be used as commodities or objects of entertainment. In my last role, I worked with an organization that helped rescue dogs from puppy mills.”

20. Have you ever worked on a team project? How did you handle conflict within the group?

Teamwork is an essential skill for Greenpeace employees. The interviewer wants to know how you handle conflict and work with others on a team project.

Example: “I have worked on several group projects in the past, including my college thesis. I find that it’s important to listen to everyone’s ideas and opinions when working as part of a team. In my last job, I was tasked with creating a marketing campaign for our company’s new product. My team had many different ideas about what we should do, but we all agreed to focus on one idea and develop it further before moving forward.”