17 Peer Mentor Interview Questions and Answers

Peer mentors are critical to the success of many students. They provide support, guidance, and friendship, and they can help students adjust to life on campus, connect with resources, and explore opportunities.

If you’re interested in becoming a peer mentor, you’ll likely need to go through an interview process. During your interview, you’ll likely be asked a range of questions about your experience as a student, your ability to connect with others, and your skills in problem solving and conflict resolution.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve put together a list of common peer mentor interview questions and answers.

Are you comfortable talking to people you don’t know?

Peer mentors often work with students they don’t know. Employers ask this question to make sure you are comfortable talking to people who may be shy or nervous about asking for help. Peer mentors need to be friendly and approachable, so it is important that you can talk to anyone.

Example: “I am very comfortable talking to people I don’t know. In fact, I enjoy getting to know new people. When I was in college, I volunteered at a local hospital. There were many different departments, and I worked with people from all over the world. I enjoyed learning about their culture and hearing their stories. It made my job more interesting, and I think I would feel the same way if I got hired here.”

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in school and how did you overcome them?

Peer mentors often work with students who are struggling in school. The interviewer wants to know that you have experience working with these types of students and can help them overcome their challenges. Use examples from your past experiences to show the interviewer how you helped others succeed.

Example: “I once had a student who was failing all of his classes. He didn’t understand what he needed to do to pass, so I met with him after class every day for two weeks until he understood the material. After that, we only met once a week to review the material. Eventually, he passed all of his classes and graduated on time.”

How would you help a student who is struggling with an assignment?

Peer mentors often help students with their assignments, so interviewers may ask this question to learn how you would approach helping a student. Use your answer to highlight your ability to communicate clearly and provide support to students who need it.

Example: “I once had a peer mentor who helped me understand the difference between an essay and a research paper. I was having trouble understanding what my professor wanted from our writing assignments, but she explained the differences in detail and gave me examples of each type of assignment. She also told me that if I ever needed clarification on any assignment, I should reach out to her or my professor for more information. This advice really helped me understand the expectations of my assignments and complete them successfully.”

What is your favorite subject in school and why?

Peer mentors often work with students in specific subjects, so interviewers want to know which ones you enjoy. They also want to see if your favorite subject aligns with the curriculum of their school. When answering this question, be honest about what you like and why. If you don’t have a favorite subject, explain that as well.

Example: “My favorite subject is math because I find it challenging but rewarding when I solve problems. In my last role, I worked with students who struggled with math, and I enjoyed helping them understand concepts and learn new skills. I think working with other students who are passionate about math will help me continue learning and growing.”

Provide an example of a time when you helped a friend with a problem.

Peer mentors often help their mentees with personal problems. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience helping others and that you can do so in a professional manner. In your answer, explain how you helped your friend and what the result was.

Example: “When I was in college, one of my friends had a hard time balancing schoolwork and her social life. She would always be stressed out about assignments and tests, but she wouldn’t take care of herself by getting enough sleep or eating well. I talked to her about it, and we made a plan for her to get more sleep and eat healthier meals. After following our plan, she felt much better and got all As on her next set of exams.”

If a student is feeling overwhelmed, what strategies would you use to help them?

Peer mentors often work with students who are struggling to keep up with their coursework. Interviewers want to know how you would help these students and ensure they stay on track. Use examples from your experience helping others in similar situations.

Example: “I had a student once who was feeling overwhelmed by the amount of reading she needed to do for her class. I met with her one-on-one, and we talked about what she already knew about the subject matter. Then, we discussed strategies she could use to manage her time better so that she could complete all of her assignments without getting stressed out. She ended up doing much better in the class.”

What would you do if you saw a student struggling to understand course material?

Peer mentors often help students understand course material and concepts. Interviewers want to know how you would approach this situation, so they can see if your methods align with their expectations. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to help the student learn the information.

Example: “I would first ask them questions about what they already know about the subject matter. Then I would try to relate it to something they already know or have experience with. If that doesn’t work, I would find a way to simplify the concept for them. For example, I might draw a diagram on the board or write out an equation in a different format.”

How well do you handle criticism?

Peer mentors often need to give constructive criticism to their mentees. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle giving negative feedback in a positive way. In your answer, share an example of how you’ve helped someone improve through criticism.

Example: “I have had the opportunity to be a peer mentor for two different students at my university. One student was struggling with time management and organization skills. I gave her advice on how to use her planner more effectively and suggested some apps that could help her stay organized. She took my advice and started using the apps I recommended. After a few weeks, she told me that she felt much more confident in her ability to manage her time.”

Do you have any experience working with students with special needs?

Peer mentors often work with students who have special needs, such as learning disabilities or behavioral issues. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable working with these types of students and that you have experience doing so. If you don’t have any experience working with special needs students, explain what steps you would take to gain the skills necessary for the role.

Example: “I’ve never worked directly with a student with special needs, but I am very empathetic and patient. In my previous position, I had a student in one of my classes who was diagnosed with ADHD. I learned how to help him succeed by breaking down assignments into smaller pieces and giving him extra time on tests and projects. I think I could apply those same strategies to other students with special needs.”

When interacting with students, do you have a specific style or method that works best for you?

Peer mentors often have their own unique styles of interacting with students. The interviewer wants to know if you have a preferred method for helping students learn and succeed in the program. Use your answer to explain what makes you effective as a peer mentor, including any specific strategies or techniques that help you work well with others.

Example: “I believe it’s important to be flexible when working with different types of students. I try to adapt my style based on each student’s personality and learning preferences. For example, some students respond better to more direct instruction while others prefer more open-ended questions. I also find that humor can be an effective way to engage students who might otherwise tune out.”

We want to ensure that our students feel comfortable talking to their peer mentors. How would you start a conversation with a student you’ve just met?

Peer mentors often work with students they’ve never met before, so employers want to know that you can start a conversation and make the student feel comfortable. Use your answer to show that you are friendly and have good communication skills.

Example: “I would introduce myself and ask them what their name is. Then I would ask them how they like school and if they have any questions for me. This helps me get to know them better and lets them know that I am there to help them. It also shows them that I care about them as a person and not just as a student.”

Describe your ideal college experience.

Peer mentors are often students themselves, so employers want to know that you’re familiar with the college experience. They may ask this question to see if your expectations align with their school’s culture and values. In your answer, try to describe what you would do if you were in charge of creating a campus community.

Example: “My ideal college experience is one where I can be myself without fear of judgment or reprisal. I’d like to attend a school where everyone feels safe and supported. To achieve this, I think we need to foster an environment of open communication between faculty, staff and students. We should also encourage collaboration among different groups on campus, such as athletes, artists and musicians. This will help us build lasting friendships and connections.”

What makes you a good fit for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel you would fit in with their team. Before your interview, make a list of reasons why you are the best candidate for the job. Think about what skills you have that relate to the position and how your personality would work well with students.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others succeed. I know that peer mentors play an important role in student success, so I want to be someone who can help them navigate through college life. I also understand that many students struggle with time management, so I think my organizational skills will come in handy when working with them.”

Which peer mentor role models do you have?

Peer mentors can be a great resource for students, so employers may ask this question to see if you have any role models. Peer mentor role models should be people who are successful in their field and also good at helping others. When answering this question, try to name someone specific that you admire.

Example: “I’ve always admired my high school’s peer mentor coordinator because she was such an amazing mentor to all of us. She helped me through some tough times when I was struggling with classes and gave me advice on how to get the most out of college applications. She is now a professor at a local university, and I hope to follow in her footsteps.”

What do you think is the most important thing a peer mentor can do for their students?

This question can help the interviewer understand your philosophy on peer mentoring and how you plan to support students. Peer mentors are often responsible for helping their students develop important skills, so it’s important that they have a strong understanding of what those skills are. In your answer, try to explain which skills you think are most important for students to learn and why.

Example: “I believe the most important thing a peer mentor can do is provide encouragement and guidance to their students. Students need someone who will listen to them and offer advice when they’re struggling with something. I also think it’s important that peer mentors set realistic expectations for their students. It’s my job to make sure students know what they should expect from themselves and what we as mentors expect from them.”

How often would you like to meet with your students?

Peer mentors often meet with students throughout the semester to discuss coursework, study habits and other academic topics. Interviewers want to know how often you would be available for meetings so they can plan accordingly. In your answer, explain that you will work with the mentor to find a schedule that works best for both of you.

Example: “I understand that each school has its own unique schedule, but I prefer meeting once a week or every two weeks. This allows me to go over any questions my mentee may have about their assignments or class material. It also gives them time to complete their homework between our meetings. Meeting more frequently than this could become overwhelming for some students.”

There is a conflict between two of your students. How would you handle it?

Peer mentors often act as mediators between students who have conflicts. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle these situations effectively and fairly. In your answer, explain how you would use your interpersonal skills to help the two students resolve their conflict.

Example: “I would first try to get both students into my office for a private conversation. I would listen carefully to each student’s side of the story and then try to find common ground between them. If they cannot come to an agreement on their own, I would encourage them to work together to create a compromise that works for both of them. This way, they learn how to communicate with one another in the future.”