20 Mercy Corps Interview Questions and Answers

When you go into a job interview, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions. But if you’re interviewing for a position at Mercy Corps, you’ll want to be prepared to answer some specific questions about the company and its mission.

In this guide, we’ll give you some tips on how to answer common interview questions for Mercy Corps. We’ll also provide some sample questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Mercy Corps Interview Process

The interview process at Mercy Corps is generally efficient and well-organized. In most cases, candidates can expect to participate in a phone screening with a recruiter, followed by one or more in-person interviews with members of the hiring team. In some cases, there may also be a written exercise or presentation component to the interview process. Overall, the experience is generally positive, although some candidates have reported feeling ignored or disrespected after the interview process.

1. Describe a time where you had to overcome cultural differences.

When working in a healthcare setting, it’s important to be able to communicate with patients and their families. Cultural differences can sometimes make this challenging, so employers ask this question to see if you have experience overcoming these challenges. In your answer, explain how you overcame the cultural difference and what steps you took to ensure that you could effectively communicate with patients and their families.

Example: “When I was working as an ER nurse, I had a patient who spoke very little English. His family members were there for him, but they didn’t speak much English either. To overcome this challenge, I asked my coworkers for help. We worked together to find someone who spoke Spanish fluently and we all learned some basic phrases to help us communicate with the patient.”

2. What are your thoughts on Mercy Corps’ approach to solving problems?

This question can help interviewers understand your thoughts on Mercy Corps’ mission and how you might contribute to the organization’s success. Use this opportunity to share what attracted you to Mercy Corps in the first place, and explain why you think their approach is effective.

Example: “I’m drawn to Mercy Corps because of its commitment to finding innovative solutions to complex problems. I believe that by working together with a diverse team of experts, we can find creative ways to solve issues that other organizations may not be able to address. In my last role, I worked as part of a multidisciplinary team to develop new treatment methods for patients who were struggling with addiction. We found that combining traditional approaches with alternative therapies helped many patients overcome their addictions.”

3. Tell us about a time when you faced an ethical dilemma and how you handled it.

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your moral compass and how you make decisions that align with the company’s values. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a situation in which you followed the organization’s ethical standards or personal beliefs and explain why you made that decision.

Example: “When I was working as an emergency room nurse, I had a patient who came into the hospital after being involved in a car accident. The patient was experiencing severe pain but refused treatment until they could get their dog to the vet. They were adamant about not receiving any medication for their pain until their dog was safe. After speaking with my supervisor, we decided to treat the patient while arranging for someone to take care of their dog.”

4. Why do you want to work at Mercy Corps?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have a passion for working in healthcare. Showcase your interest by explaining what drew you to this role and how it aligns with your personal values.

Example: “I want to work at Mercy Corps because I am passionate about providing quality care to those who need it most. As someone who grew up in a low-income household, I know firsthand how important access to affordable healthcare is. I would love to be part of an organization that provides high-quality medical services while also helping patients achieve financial stability.”

5. How would you handle a situation where the resources for a project were not sufficient?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle challenges and make decisions. Use examples from your experience to explain how you would evaluate the situation, gather information and decide on a solution.

Example: “In my last role as an IT manager, I was tasked with creating a new system for patient records management. The budget for this project was limited, so I had to prioritize which features were most important. I met with staff members who used the current system to learn about their needs and preferences. This helped me create a list of essential features that we could implement in the first phase of the project.”

6. Can you describe a time when you had to deal with difficult coworkers or managers?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and whether you’re able to work with others. When answering, it’s important to focus on your ability to collaborate with others and resolve conflicts.

Example: “In my last position as a nurse practitioner, I had a manager who was very critical of our work. She would often make us feel like we weren’t doing enough or that we were incompetent. At first, I tried to ignore her comments but eventually realized that she wasn’t aware of the amount of work we were actually doing. So, I scheduled a meeting with her where I explained all of the work we do and how much time it takes to complete. After this conversation, she became more supportive.”

7. Are you comfortable traveling extensively?

Mercy Health is a large healthcare organization that operates in multiple states. The interviewer wants to know if you’re willing to travel frequently and for long periods of time. Use your answer to highlight your willingness to relocate and work away from home.

Example: “I am very comfortable traveling extensively, especially when it’s for a good cause like Mercy Health. I have worked as a nurse practitioner for the past five years, and during this time I’ve traveled across the country to provide care to patients. I’m used to living out of hotels and adjusting to new locations quickly. I also understand how important it is to be available to my patients at all times, so I always make sure to pack an overnight bag with me.”

8. Do you have any international experience? If so, tell me about it.

This question is a great way to learn about the applicant’s experience with international travel and working in other countries. If you have no international experience, it’s okay to say so and talk about your interest in traveling abroad or learning more about different cultures.

Example: “I’ve never worked internationally, but I would love to! I’m very interested in learning more about foreign cultures and languages. In college, I took several language classes and studied abroad for a semester in Spain. It was an amazing experience that opened my eyes to how diverse our world really is.”

9. What is one thing that you think could improve Mercy Corps as an organization?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the organization and how you can help it grow. When answering this question, think about what you’ve learned from your research that could improve Mercy Corps as an organization.

Example: “I think one thing that would make Mercy Corps even more effective is if they had a better system for tracking their volunteers’ hours. I noticed in my research that many organizations use time-tracking software to keep track of volunteer hours, which makes it easier to manage payroll and ensure everyone gets paid on time. If Mercy Corps implemented a similar system, it could save them money and allow them to focus more on helping others.”

10. What kind of projects are you most interested in working on?

This question can help the interviewer determine if your interests align with Mercy Health’s mission. You should explain what you find most interesting about working in healthcare and how it relates to Mercy Health’s goals.

Example: “I’m passionate about helping patients who are uninsured or underinsured, so I would be excited to work on a project that helps provide free or low-cost care for those who need it. I also think it’s important to educate people about their health and wellness, so I’d love to work on a program that teaches people how to take control of their own health.”

11. Tell us about a time when you worked with people from different cultures.

This question can help interviewers understand how you might work with people from different backgrounds in the workplace. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a time when you learned something new or helped someone else learn about your culture.

Example: “In my last position as an ER nurse, I worked alongside doctors and nurses of many different cultures. One day, one of our Spanish-speaking patients came into the hospital complaining of chest pain. Our team was able to communicate with her using Google Translate, which allowed us to find out what she was experiencing and provide care.”

12. How do you feel about working in some of the more dangerous locations that Mercy Corps works in?

This question is a great way to assess your commitment to the organization’s mission and values. It also helps employers understand how you might handle working in these locations, which can be challenging at times. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some of the specific experiences you’ve had with dangerous work environments.

Example: “I feel very strongly about Mercy Corps’ mission and am committed to helping people who are less fortunate than me. I have worked in many dangerous situations before, including when I was volunteering overseas. While there were definitely scary moments, I think that my passion for helping others made me more willing to take on those challenges.”

13. Can you give examples of times you effectively used data analysis to create actionable insights?

This question allows you to showcase your analytical skills and how they can be used to benefit the organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific examples of how you analyzed data and what insights you gained from that analysis.

Example: “In my last role as a healthcare analyst, I was responsible for analyzing patient records to determine which patients were at risk for readmission within 30 days of discharge. Using predictive modeling, I was able to identify several factors that contributed to higher rates of readmission, including age, gender, race, insurance status and hospital location. This information allowed me to create targeted interventions to help reduce readmissions.”

14. Have you ever been asked by management to complete tasks outside of your job description? How did you handle it?

This question can help interviewers understand your willingness to take on new responsibilities and how you handle them. Use examples from previous work experiences where you were asked to complete tasks outside of your job description, but still completed the task successfully.

Example: “In my last position as a nurse’s assistant, I was tasked with helping nurses in other departments when they needed extra assistance. This happened often because our hospital was understaffed at times, so I would help out wherever I could. One day, one of the doctors called me over for help with an emergency surgery. I assisted her during the procedure and helped ensure that everything went smoothly.”

15. Give an example of a time when you had to act quickly under pressure and explain how you managed it.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation and how you handled it. This can help the interviewer understand your thought process and decision-making skills in high-pressure situations.

Example: “When I was working as an ER nurse, we had a patient who came into the hospital with symptoms of a stroke. The doctor ordered several tests, including a CT scan, which took about 30 minutes to complete. While waiting for the results, the patient’s condition worsened, so the doctor ordered another test, an MRI, which takes about two hours to complete. We were able to stabilize the patient until the MRI results came back, but it was definitely a stressful situation.”

16. Explain what you know about our mission statement.

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the organization and its goals. When you answer, make sure you include information about Mercy Health’s mission statement and how it relates to your own career goals.

Example: “I’ve read through Mercy Health’s mission statement several times since I applied for this position. It’s clear that the organization values patient care and community outreach. As someone who has worked in healthcare for many years, I understand the importance of these two things. I also know that Mercy Health wants to provide patients with affordable treatment options while still maintaining high-quality care.”

17. Being able to articulate complex ideas clearly both verbally and in writing is important at Mercy Corps. Can you give an example of a time when you did this?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you can communicate effectively with patients, colleagues and other healthcare professionals.

Example: “When I was a medical student, I had a patient who was experiencing severe pain in her abdomen. She spoke very little English, so we communicated through gestures and drawings on paper. After examining her, I determined she had appendicitis and needed surgery. I drew pictures of what I saw during my examination and explained each one as best I could. The patient understood me and agreed to have surgery.”

18. We get many applicants who have similar qualifications, tell us why we should hire you over someone else.

This question is a great way to show your passion for the role and how you can make an impact. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your unique skills or experiences that will help you succeed in the position.

Example: “I believe I am the best candidate because of my previous experience working with patients who have limited access to healthcare. In my last position as a registered nurse, I worked at a free clinic where I saw many patients who were uninsured or underinsured. I developed a system to track patient information so we could follow up on their health after they left the clinic. This helped me develop relationships with patients and learn more about their needs.”

19. Give an example of a time when you had to speak up about something but feared being unpopular or rejected.

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and challenging situations. In your answer, try to explain what motivated you to speak up despite the potential consequences.

Example: “When I was a senior in high school, my class had to do a project on an important historical figure. My group chose Martin Luther King Jr., but one of my classmates wanted to choose someone else because she thought he wasn’t interesting enough. I knew that if we didn’t stick with our original choice, we wouldn’t get credit for the assignment. So, I spoke up and told her that we should complete the assignment as it was assigned. She eventually agreed, and we got an A.”

20. As a Program Manager, you will be expected to lead teams through periods of change. Tell us about a time you successfully led others through a change process.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific examples of how you helped your team through a change process and the results that came from those changes.

Example: “In my last role as a Program Manager, I was responsible for leading a team of five people who were tasked with creating new marketing campaigns for our company’s products. We had just hired a new creative director who wanted to implement some major changes to our existing campaign. The entire team met together to discuss the proposed changes and determine if they would be beneficial to the company. After discussing the pros and cons of each change, we decided to implement most of them. As a result, our company saw an increase in sales by 10%.”