15 Meeting Facilitation Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to running a successful meeting, the facilitator plays a vital role. A good facilitator is someone who can keep the meeting on track, ensure that all voices are heard, and help the group reach a consensus.

If you’re looking for a job as a meeting facilitator, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your facilitation experience and skills. In this guide, we’ve compiled some of the most common interview questions related to meeting facilitation, along with sample answers to help you prepare for your next interview.

1. What is meeting facilitation?

Meeting facilitation is a skill that many employers look for in their meeting facilitators. This question allows you to show your knowledge of the role and how it can benefit an organization. You can answer this question by defining what meeting facilitation is, explaining why it’s important and giving examples of when you’ve used these skills in the past.

Example: “Meeting facilitation is the process of planning and leading meetings. Meeting facilitators are responsible for creating agendas, preparing materials, managing time and ensuring all attendees have the opportunity to speak during the meeting. I find that my ability to plan and lead effective meetings has helped me achieve success in previous roles.”

2. What skills do you require to be a successful meeting facilitator?

Meeting facilitators need to be able to manage a variety of skills. Employers ask this question to see if you have the necessary skills for their role. Before your interview, read through the job description and highlight any skills they mention. Use these skills as examples when answering this question.

Example: “I believe that the most important skill I can have is communication. Meeting facilitators are responsible for keeping meetings on track and ensuring everyone has an opportunity to speak. To do this, I must be able to listen carefully and communicate clearly. Another important skill is organization. Meeting facilitators should always arrive prepared with all the materials needed for the meeting. This includes agendas, handouts and other resources. It also means being organized enough to keep track of time and ensure we stay within our scheduled window.”

3. Can you explain the main responsibilities of a meeting facilitator?

Meeting facilitators are responsible for ensuring that meetings run smoothly and efficiently. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the role of a meeting facilitator and what your responsibilities will be if they hire you. In your answer, explain what you would do in each situation. Try to use specific examples from previous experience where possible.

Example: “The main responsibility of a meeting facilitator is to ensure that all participants can communicate effectively with one another. I would start by making sure everyone has access to any materials they need, such as laptops or projectors. Then, I would encourage people to speak up when they have questions or concerns so we can address them quickly. Finally, I would take notes during the meeting to help me prepare for the next steps.”

4. Why do you think it’s important for an organization to have someone dedicated to facilitating meetings?

This question can help an interviewer understand your perspective on the role of a meeting facilitator and how you might approach facilitating meetings in their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss why you think meeting facilitation is important and what benefits you’ve seen from having someone dedicated to this role.

Example: “I believe that having someone dedicated to meeting facilitation is beneficial because it allows for more efficient use of time during meetings. Having one person who knows the agenda and plans ahead for questions or concerns can help ensure that everyone has all of their questions answered before the end of the meeting. This can also allow for more productive conversations as people aren’t distracted by trying to find answers to questions.”

5. How should an effective meeting facilitator prepare before conducting a meeting?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your meeting facilitation skills and how you apply them. They want to know that you have the necessary skills to plan a productive meeting, so they might ask about your process for preparing for one. In your answer, describe what steps you take before facilitating a meeting to show that you are organized and prepared.

Example: “I always make sure I have all of the necessary materials needed for the meeting ahead of time. This includes any handouts or presentation slides I need to display on a screen during the meeting. I also try to arrive at least 10 minutes early to set up my equipment and review my notes one last time.”

6. What are some ways to ensure that everyone participates equally in a meeting?

When facilitating a meeting, it’s important to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to contribute. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to encourage participation from all members of the team. In your answer, share two or three ways you help people feel comfortable speaking up in meetings.

Example: “I find that one way to encourage equal participation is by asking open-ended questions. This allows everyone to give their opinion on a topic and helps me understand what they think about different situations. Another strategy I use is taking notes during the meeting. By writing down points people bring up, I can refer back to them later when making decisions. Finally, I always try to remember who hasn’t spoken up yet so I can call on them next.”

7. How does a meeting facilitator maintain order and control during a meeting?

Meeting facilitators need to be able to control the meeting and ensure that everyone is heard. They also need to keep track of time, manage conflict and make sure all decisions are recorded. Your answer should show the interviewer that you have the skills necessary to perform these tasks effectively.

Example: “I always start a meeting by explaining how I expect it to run. This includes what we will cover during the meeting, when breaks will occur and how long each section of the meeting will last. I also let people know that they can raise their hands if they want to speak and that I will call on them in order. If someone interrupts another person while they’re speaking, I ask them to wait until the other speaker has finished.”

8. Is there anything special that a meeting facilitator needs to keep in mind if they’re working with remote clients?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your ability to work with clients who are not in the same physical location as you. It also allows them to see how you plan and organize meetings that involve people from different locations.

Example: “I find it helpful to have a dedicated communication channel between myself and all remote participants, whether it’s through email or another messaging platform. This helps me ensure that I’m communicating clearly with everyone involved in the meeting and can answer any questions they may have before, during or after the event.”

9. How can a meeting facilitator handle difficult participants in a meeting?

Meeting facilitators often have to handle difficult participants in a meeting. Employers ask this question to see if you can manage challenging people and situations. In your answer, explain how you would approach the situation and what strategies you would use to keep the meeting on track.

Example: “I find that one of the best ways to handle difficult participants is by encouraging them to speak up during the meeting. I try to make sure everyone has an opportunity to share their thoughts or opinions. If someone seems particularly disruptive, I will politely ask them to hold off on speaking until others have had a chance to contribute. This helps prevent disruptions from spreading throughout the group.”

10. What are some best practices for using technology to conduct high-quality virtual meetings?

Technology is a common tool for conducting virtual meetings, and the interviewer may want to know how you use it to your advantage. Highlight your ability to plan ahead and ensure that all participants have access to necessary technology before the meeting starts.

Example: “I always make sure everyone has access to the same technology before I start the meeting. For example, if we’re using a video conferencing platform, I’ll make sure everyone has a compatible computer or device with a camera so they can see each other during the meeting. I also like to take notes on my laptop while others are typing on their computers so I can stay focused on the conversation.”

11. What are some tips for creating an agenda for a meeting?

An agenda is a list of topics that will be discussed during a meeting. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your meeting facilitation skills and how you plan meetings. Use examples from past experiences in which you created an agenda for a meeting, or describe the steps you would take to create one.

Example: “I find it helpful to start with a broad topic and then break it down into smaller subtopics. For example, if I’m facilitating a team meeting on increasing sales, I might first write ‘increasing sales’ as the main topic and then break it down into three subtopics: marketing strategies, customer service and product development. This helps me organize my thoughts before the meeting so everyone can stay focused.”

12. What are some best practices for managing time effectively during a meeting?

Time management is an important skill for meeting facilitators to have. Employers ask this question to see if you know how to manage time during a meeting and ensure that it stays on track. Use your answer to highlight the importance of managing time effectively and show them that you can do so yourself.

Example: “Time management is one of the most important skills for meeting facilitators to have. If you don’t manage time well, then meetings can go off-track or take longer than they should. I always make sure to set clear expectations for when each part of the meeting will start and end. This helps me keep the meeting on track and ensures that we get through all of the agenda items in a timely manner.”

13. What are some best practices for taking notes during a meeting?

Meeting facilitation requires a lot of note-taking, so it’s important to be able to answer this question well. Your interviewer will want to know that you have the ability to take notes quickly and efficiently during meetings.

Example: “I find that taking notes on paper is best because I can write down ideas as they come to me without having to worry about losing them or misplacing them in my computer. I also like to use different colors for each person who speaks at the meeting so that I can easily refer back to their comments later. Another thing I do is make sure to write down any action items that are discussed at the meeting so that everyone knows what needs to get done.”

14. What are some best practices for resolving conflict between participants during a meeting?

Meeting facilitators often need to resolve conflict between participants. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience with conflict resolution and how you would handle it in their organization. In your answer, share a specific example of how you resolved conflict during a meeting. Explain the steps you took to help everyone feel heard and respected.

Example: “I once facilitated a team-building event where two coworkers got into an argument over who was better at basketball. The rest of the group started arguing as well, so I asked each person why they thought they were the best. After hearing all of their reasons, we decided to play one-on-one basketball games to determine the winner. This helped diffuse the tension and allowed everyone to get back to having fun.”

15. What is your opinion on video conferencing tools like Zoom or Skype? Are they good enough, or are they lacking something?

Video conferencing tools are a common way to connect with remote colleagues. The interviewer wants to know how you would use these tools and if you have any experience using them.

Example: “I think video conferencing is great for connecting with people in real time, but I find that it’s not as effective as face-to-face meetings because there’s no nonverbal communication. For example, when someone nods their head or smiles, this can be an indication of agreement or understanding. In my last role, we used Zoom for weekly team meetings, which worked well. However, I also attended some client meetings via Skype, and I found the quality was lacking.”