20 Human Rights Watch Interview Questions and Answers

When applying for a job at Human Rights Watch, you can expect to be asked a range of questions about your human rights knowledge and experience. The interviewer will want to know why you are interested in working for Human Rights Watch, and what you think you can contribute to the organization. They may also ask you about specific human rights issues that you are familiar with, and how you would go about addressing them.

Preparing for your interview by familiarizing yourself with the organization’s work, and thinking about how your skills and experience can contribute to their mission, will help you to ace the interview and get the job.

Human Rights Watch Interview Process

The interview process at Human Rights Watch is extensive, and can take up to three months. It includes an automated video interview, a skills assessment, a panel interview, and a final in-person interview. The process is designed to be thorough and to test your knowledge of human rights issues and your ability to work under pressure.

1. Do you agree with the basic principles of Human Rights Watch?

This question is a test of your knowledge about the organization and its values. It also helps employers determine if you are likely to fit in with their team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific examples of how you have applied Human Rights Watch’s principles in your own life or career.

Example: “I believe that all people deserve equal rights and protections under the law. I’ve always been passionate about social justice issues, so when I learned more about Human Rights Watch, I was thrilled to find an organization that shares my passion for human rights. In fact, I recently volunteered at a local women’s shelter where I helped victims of domestic violence apply for protective orders.”

2. What are some issues in human rights that interest you?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your passion for human rights and how you might fit into their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an issue that is currently in the news or something you have studied in depth.

Example: “I am passionate about women’s rights issues, especially when it comes to equal pay and reproductive health care. I also think it’s important to address racial inequality in America, as well as LGBTQ discrimination. These are all issues that affect people every day, and I would love to work with Human Rights Watch to find solutions.”

3. How would you leverage your past experience at Human Rights Watch?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand what Human Rights Watch does and how your past experience can help you succeed in this role. If you have no prior experience with Human Rights Watch, consider discussing a similar organization or company that has a similar mission statement.

Example: “I believe my previous work at Amnesty International would be beneficial for Human Rights Watch because I know firsthand how important it is to protect human rights around the world. In my last position as a researcher, I helped develop reports on human rights violations in different countries. This experience will allow me to use my research skills to find information about human rights abuses and create strategies to prevent them.”

4. Why do you want to work at Human Rights Watch?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are interested in working for Human Rights Watch. It is important to show that you have done your research on the organization, its values and what it does.

Example: “I am passionate about human rights and want to work at an organization that makes a difference in the world. I read about Human Rights Watch when I was researching non-governmental organizations that fight for human rights. I think this organization has a great reputation and would be honored to work here.”

5. If a journalist was reporting on an issue that they did not have expertise in, how would you advise them?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would work with the media and other outside sources. Use your answer to show that you value expertise, but also know when it’s important to collaborate with others.

Example: “I think it’s very important for journalists to have a strong understanding of the issues they’re reporting on. However, I also believe that collaboration is key in getting accurate information out there. If a journalist was reporting on an issue that they didn’t have expertise in, I would first make sure they understood why their lack of knowledge could be problematic. Then, I would offer to connect them with someone who had more experience.”

6. Tell me about a time when you were working under pressure and had to meet deadlines, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to assess your ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you managed the situation and what steps you took to ensure that you met all of your deadlines.

Example: “When I was working as an intern at my previous job, there were many times when I had to work late into the night in order to finish projects on time. While sometimes it was difficult to stay focused after long days, I always made sure to take breaks throughout the day so that I could remain productive. I also learned to delegate tasks to other employees if they needed help.”

7. Can you give us examples of times where you used diplomacy and tactfulness?

Human rights advocates often work with people who are in conflict, and it’s important to be able to diffuse situations. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills necessary to keep yourself and others safe while advocating for human rights. In your answer, explain how you use diplomacy and tactfulness to resolve conflicts.

Example: “I once had a client who was being harassed by their landlord. The landlord would enter their apartment without permission and verbally abuse them. I spoke with the landlord about the situation and explained that they were violating my client’s rights. They agreed to stop entering the apartment and harassing my client.”

8. When do you think it is necessary for HRW to take action against a government?

This question can help interviewers understand your views on human rights and how you might approach a situation where the government is violating them. In your answer, try to explain what steps you would take in this situation and why you feel they are important.

Example: “I think it’s always necessary for HRW to take action against a government when there are violations of human rights. I believe that governments should be held accountable for their actions and that if we don’t speak up about these issues, then nothing will change. If I were working at HRW, I would make sure that our team was prepared with all of the facts before taking any action so that we could present our case as effectively as possible.”

9. What kinds of projects have you worked on before?

Human Rights Watch is a non-profit organization that works to promote human rights around the world. They want to know what kind of work experience you have and how it relates to their organization. When answering this question, try to highlight your relevant skills and experiences.

Example: “I’ve worked on several projects in my career so far. I started out as an intern at a law firm where I helped draft contracts for clients. Then, I moved into a full-time position with a small business where I was responsible for drafting policies and procedures. Finally, I got a job at Human Rights Watch where I am currently working on a project to help refugees find safe places to live.”

10. How do you feel about making cold calls or emails?

This question is a great way to determine how comfortable you are with networking and reaching out to people. It’s important for HRW employees to be able to network effectively, so it’s helpful if the candidate has experience doing this in their previous roles.

Example: “I’ve found that cold calls and emails can be very effective when trying to reach someone who may not know about our organization or what we do. I find that my enthusiasm comes through in these types of communications, which helps me connect with others on a personal level. This makes them more likely to respond to me and learn more about Human Rights Watch.”

11. Describe a time where you showed initiative and took ownership of something.

Human Rights Watch is looking for employees who are self-motivated and can take initiative. This question allows you to show your ability to work independently and solve problems on your own.

Example: “At my last job, I noticed that our company’s recycling bins were overflowing with paper. I spoke with the manager about it, and we decided to hire a new employee to help sort through the papers. The new employee sorted through all of the papers and recycled them properly. We saved money by not having to pay someone to dispose of the papers.”

12. What qualities make someone a good researcher?

Human Rights Watch is a research-based organization, so the interviewer may want to know what makes someone good at researching. Use your answer to highlight your research skills and how you can apply them in this role.

Example: “I think that being a good researcher requires curiosity, attention to detail and an open mind. I am always curious about new information and ways of thinking, which helps me learn more about human rights issues. Attention to detail is important because it allows me to find inconsistencies or errors in data. Finally, having an open mind means that I’m willing to consider other perspectives and opinions when conducting my research.”

13. Give an example of a time you worked as part of a team and what your role was.

Human Rights Watch is a team-oriented organization, so it’s important to show that you can work well with others. When answering this question, try to highlight your communication and collaboration skills.

Example: “In my last position as an HR manager, I worked on a team of five other managers who were responsible for hiring new employees. We all had different roles within the company, but we met once a week to discuss our progress and any challenges we faced. This helped us collaborate and support each other when needed.”

14. What are some things you can do to raise awareness about specific issues?

Human rights violations can occur in many different ways, and HRW needs employees who are passionate about the organization’s mission. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific instance where you raised awareness of an issue or helped someone else do so.

Example: “I have been involved with Amnesty International for several years now, and I’ve seen firsthand how raising awareness of human rights issues can help change things. For example, when I was working on my undergraduate degree, there were protests at our university because one of the professors had written some controversial articles online. The students protested outside his classroom, which led to him being fired from the university.

After that happened, I started a petition to get him rehired. We got over 1,000 signatures, and we presented them to the dean of the school. He ended up getting rehired, and he even thanked me for helping him get his job back.”

15. What are three ways that you could grow public support for Human Rights Watch?

Human Rights Watch is a non-profit organization that relies on public support to fund its operations. The hiring manager may ask this question to learn more about your fundraising and marketing skills. In your answer, explain how you would use these skills to help Human Rights Watch grow its audience and increase donations.

Example: “I believe the first step in growing public support for Human Rights Watch is creating an effective social media presence. I have experience using social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to promote my previous employer’s events and campaigns. I also think it’s important to create compelling content that people want to share with their friends and family members. To do this, I would work with other team members to develop engaging blog posts and videos.”

16. Have you ever done any advocacy yourself?

This question is a great way to show your passion for human rights and the work you’ve done in the past. If you have any experience advocating for human rights, be sure to include it in your answer.

Example: “I was very active in my college’s Amnesty International chapter. We would hold events on campus where we educated students about different human rights violations around the world. I also organized a letter-writing campaign that sent letters to our state representatives asking them to support legislation that protected human rights.”

17. What challenges do you foresee in doing advocacy work?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your ability to handle challenges and obstacles. Use examples from past experiences or explain how you would approach these situations if they arise in this role.

Example: “I foresee some challenges with doing advocacy work, but I am prepared for them. For example, when advocating for human rights, it’s important to be respectful of all parties involved. However, sometimes people may not want to hear what we have to say. In those cases, I will remain calm and try to find common ground so that everyone is able to understand each other. Another challenge could be limited resources. If this happens, I will do my best to make sure our team uses its time wisely.”

18. What does intersectionality mean to you?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of human rights and the organization’s mission. When answering, it can be helpful to define intersectionality and then explain how you’ve applied this concept in your own life or work.

Example: “Intersectionality refers to the interconnected nature of different forms of oppression. For example, someone who identifies as female may also experience discrimination based on their race, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. I believe that recognizing these intersections is important because it allows us to better understand the challenges people face and find solutions for them.”

19. Explain how you handled handling multiple priorities simultaneously.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you manage your time and prioritize tasks. Use examples from previous work experiences to explain how you organized your day, managed your inbox and scheduled meetings.

Example: “In my last role as a human rights advocate, I had to balance multiple projects at once. For example, one week I was working on an article about child labor in developing countries while also researching another story about women’s rights violations in the Middle East. In order to stay organized, I used project management software to create separate folders for each of these stories. This helped me keep track of all of my research and due dates.”

20. Are you comfortable travelling internationally?

Human Rights Watch has offices in over 30 countries, and the organization often sends its employees to these locations for research purposes. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your travel experience and how you feel about it. If you have international work experience, use that as an example of your ability to adapt to new cultures.

Example: “I’ve worked internationally before, so I am familiar with the challenges of adapting to a new culture. In my last position, I was sent to South America to help train local law enforcement officers on human rights violations. While there, I learned Spanish and adapted to their customs. I’m confident that I can do the same thing if given the opportunity.”