17 Health Education Specialist Interview Questions and Answers

Health education specialists develop and implement programs that promote healthy lifestyles and prevent disease. They work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, and community health centers.

If you’re looking for a job as a health education specialist, you’ll need to be prepared to answer a variety of questions about your experience, your qualifications, and your approach to health education.

In this guide, we’ll give you a list of sample health education specialist interview questions and answers that you can use to prepare for your next interview.

Are you familiar with the Healthy People 2020 initiative?

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your knowledge of the Healthy People 2020 initiative, which is a program that aims to improve the health of Americans by the year 2020. Your answer should show that you understand what the program is and how it works. You can also use this opportunity to explain why you are passionate about improving the health of others.

Example: “I am very familiar with the Healthy People 2020 initiative because I have been following it for years. In fact, I was inspired to pursue a career in health education after reading about the goals of the program. I think it’s important to work toward making our country healthier, especially since so many people suffer from preventable diseases. I want to help make a difference in other people’s lives through my work.”

What are some of the most effective methods you use to engage your audience when teaching about health?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching methods and how you engage students. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few specific strategies that have helped you connect with students in the past.

Example: “I find that using real-life examples is one of the most effective ways I can teach my lessons. For example, when talking about nutrition, I like to share stories from my own life where I made healthy choices or unhealthy ones. This helps students relate to the lesson and understand why certain habits are important for their health.”

How would you handle a situation where a community member was resistant to your suggestions for improving their health?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to persuade others. In your answer, demonstrate that you can be empathetic while also being firm in your suggestions for improving health outcomes.

Example: “I would first try to understand why the community member was resistant to my suggestions. I would explain to them that although their current habits might seem harmless, they could lead to more serious health issues later on. If they were still resistant, I would continue to provide evidence of how changing their behavior could improve their overall health. For example, if a person wanted to quit smoking but didn’t want to use nicotine replacement therapy, I would show them studies that prove quitting cold turkey is actually better for their health than continuing to smoke.”

What is your process for creating a lesson plan?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn about your teaching style and how you plan out lessons. Your answer can show them what steps you take when planning a lesson, which can help them understand the level of detail you put into your work. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe your process for creating a lesson plan in as much detail as possible so that the interviewer can see how you complete tasks.

Example: “I start by researching the topic I’m going to teach. Then, I create an outline of my main points and supporting details. After that, I write my script and practice delivering the speech several times before presenting it to students. This helps me make sure I have all of my facts straight and am able to present the information clearly.”

Provide an example of a time when you successfully motivated a client or patient to make a lifestyle change.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your communication skills and how you can motivate others. When answering, it can be helpful to provide an example of a specific situation where you helped someone make a positive change in their life.

Example: “In my last role as a health education specialist, I worked with a client who was overweight and had high blood pressure. He didn’t want to take medication for his condition because he wanted to avoid the side effects. Instead, we decided that he would start by eating healthier foods and exercising regularly. After six months, he lost 20 pounds and lowered his blood pressure significantly.”

If you had to choose one area of health to specialize in, what would it be and why?

This question is a great way to see how passionate you are about health education and the specific areas of it that interest you. When answering this question, try to pick an area that aligns with your experience and skills.

Example: “I would specialize in mental health because I have seen firsthand how important it is for people to feel comfortable talking about their feelings and getting help when they need it. In my last role as a health educator, I noticed that many students were hesitant to seek out mental health resources on campus. So, I started a new program where I taught students different ways to cope with stress and anxiety. The program was so successful that we expanded it to include adults.”

What would you do if you noticed a colleague was not following best practices when working with clients?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to work as part of a team. In your answer, you can describe how you would approach the colleague and encourage them to improve their practices. You can also mention that you would help them learn about best practices so they could continue working with clients effectively.

Example: “If I noticed a colleague was not following best practices when working with clients, I would first talk to them in private to understand why they were making these mistakes. If it seemed like they simply didn’t know better, I would explain what best practices are and offer to teach them. However, if they continued to make mistakes after learning about best practices, I would speak to my supervisor about the situation.”

How well do you work with others, both in person and digitally?

Working with others is an important part of the job, so interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills. In your answer, try to highlight how you collaborate with others and use technology to communicate.

Example: “I am a strong communicator, both in person and digitally. I have experience working on teams where we communicated through Slack or email, and I also regularly used video conferencing software for meetings. I find that using these tools helps me understand what my colleagues are saying and allows me to respond quickly to questions. I can also be very organized when collaborating with others, as I like to make sure everyone has all the information they need.”

Do you have any experience using social media to promote health awareness?

Employers may ask this question to learn more about your experience with social media and how you use it in your role. If you have any experience using social media, describe a time when you used it to promote health awareness or educate the public on a specific topic.

Example: “I’ve worked with my school district’s social media accounts for the past three years. We use our Facebook page to share information about upcoming events and provide updates on current projects. I also manage our Twitter account, where we post daily facts about health and wellness. For example, last month we posted 10 ways to reduce stress during finals week.”

When was the last time you updated your knowledge on the latest health trends and discoveries?

Employers ask this question to make sure you are committed to your career and that you stay up-to-date on the latest health trends. They want to know that you can apply new information to your work and help others do the same. In your answer, explain how you keep yourself informed about current developments in health education.

Example: “I am a big believer in lifelong learning. I have taken several online courses over the last few years to learn more about different aspects of health education. For example, I took an online course on nutrition recently because I wanted to learn more about healthy eating habits. I also subscribe to newsletters from various organizations that focus on health education.”

We want to improve our outreach to at-risk communities. Where would you start?

This question can help interviewers understand your approach to problem-solving and how you would apply it in their organization. Use examples from your experience of working with at-risk communities or populations, such as low-income families, youth or senior citizens.

Example: “I would start by identifying the barriers that prevent these groups from accessing health information and services. For example, I worked with a community where many residents didn’t have access to computers or reliable internet connections. So, we started offering free computer classes on basic computer skills and internet safety. We also partnered with local libraries to offer more advanced courses for those who wanted to learn more about using technology for work or school.”

Describe your process for conducting research on a topic you’re unfamiliar with.

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your research skills and how you apply them in the workplace. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific example of when you conducted research on a topic that was new to you and how you applied what you learned to your work.

Example: “When I am conducting research on a topic I’m unfamiliar with, I first look for resources that provide general information about the subject. Then, I find more detailed sources that discuss the specifics of the topic. Finally, I read through these sources carefully to understand the most important points. This process helps me learn about topics quickly while also ensuring that I have enough information to complete my work.”

What makes you stand out from other health education specialists?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your skills and abilities. They want to know what makes you unique from other candidates applying for the job. Use your answer to highlight a skill or quality that sets you apart from others. You can also share an example of how you used that skill in your previous role.

Example: “I have been working as a health education specialist for five years, so I am very familiar with the position. However, my experience is not what makes me stand out from other applicants. Instead, it’s my ability to connect with students. In my last role, I worked with teenagers who were struggling with their mental health. I was able to help them feel comfortable talking about their feelings by being empathetic and understanding. This helped many students open up to me.”

Which computer programs do you use most frequently in your job?

This question can help interviewers understand your computer skills and how you use them in the workplace. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few programs that you use regularly and explain what they do.

Example: “I use Microsoft Word most frequently because I write many documents for my job. I also use Excel quite often as it helps me organize data and create graphs and charts. Finally, I use PowerPoint when presenting information to large groups of people or creating presentations for school board meetings.”

What do you think is the most important skill for a health education specialist to have?

This question can help interviewers understand what you value in your role as a health education specialist. When answering this question, it can be helpful to identify one skill and explain why it’s important.

Example: “I think the most important skill for a health education specialist is communication. I’ve worked with many specialists who are excellent at educating others about health topics but struggle when it comes to communicating their ideas effectively. This can lead to misunderstandings or confusion among students and teachers. For me, effective communication skills have always been key to my success as a health education specialist.”

How often do you update your personal health and wellness routine?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you are committed to your own health and wellness. They want to know that you have a personal interest in staying healthy, which can help you be an effective educator for others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention one or two things you do regularly to stay healthy.

Example: “I try to eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables every day. I also make sure to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. I find that these habits keep me feeling energized and ready to take on the day. In fact, I recently started meditating for 10 minutes each morning as part of my routine.”

There is a new disease that is spreading rapidly. How would you educate the public on how to prevent and treat it?

This question is a great way to test your ability to think critically and creatively. It also shows the interviewer how you would apply your skills in a real-world situation. In your answer, try to show that you can use critical thinking skills to solve problems and make decisions quickly.

Example: “I would first research the disease thoroughly so I could understand it as well as possible. Then, I would create an educational program for the public that includes information on how to prevent the disease, what symptoms to look out for and where they can go if they suspect they have contracted the disease. I would also include information about treatment options and who to contact if they need help.”