15 Policy Advocacy Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to policy advocacy, there are a lot of different ways to approach the issue. You could be working on behalf of a particular cause or trying to influence change on a larger scale. No matter what your focus is, you’ll need to be able to articulate your position clearly and persuasively.

That’s why, if you’re hoping to land a job in policy advocacy, you need to be prepared for some tough interview questions. In this guide, we’ll give you some sample questions and answers to help you get started.

1. What do you know about policy advocacy?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the field and how you can apply it in your future career. When answering this question, make sure to include what policy advocacy is and why it’s important. You may also want to mention any skills or techniques that you’ve learned about during your time as an advocate.

Example: “Policy advocacy is the process of influencing policymakers to create laws that benefit the public. It’s important because it allows us to have a voice in our government and ensure that we’re being represented by officials who are making decisions based on what’s best for the people. I know that there are many different ways to influence lawmakers, including grassroots organizing, lobbying and testifying at hearings.”

2. Can you explain what a policy is and why it’s important to have one?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of policy advocacy. It’s also an opportunity for you to show the interviewer that you understand why policies are important and how they can help people.

Example: “A policy is a set of guidelines or rules that dictate what actions government officials can take. Having a policy in place allows government officials to make decisions based on facts rather than opinions, which helps ensure that everyone has equal access to resources and opportunities. Policies are especially important when it comes to issues like healthcare, education and environmental protection because they allow us to create systems that benefit everyone.”

3. How does the process of creating a policy differ from the process of implementing a policy?

This question is an opportunity to show your understanding of the policymaking process. It also allows you to demonstrate how you can use your skills and knowledge to create policies that are effective and beneficial for a company or organization.

Example: “The process of creating a policy differs from implementing a policy in many ways, but one of the most important differences is who has control over each step. When I’m working on developing a policy, I have more control over the entire process because it’s my job to research different options, collaborate with others and develop a plan that will be successful. However, when implementing a policy, I am following the guidelines set by the person or people who created the policy.”

4. Why should organizations create policies in the first place?

This question is an opportunity to show your understanding of the purpose and value of policy advocacy. It’s important to explain how policies can benefit organizations, communities or society as a whole.

Example: “Policies are essential for creating change in any organization. They help ensure that everyone within an organization understands what they’re responsible for and how they should do their job. This helps employees feel more confident about their work and ensures that the company is operating efficiently. Policies also allow companies to set standards for ethical behavior and prevent unethical practices from occurring. For example, if a company has a policy against discrimination, it can reduce the risk of discriminatory hiring practices.”

5. What are some examples of common organizational policies?

This question can help an interviewer understand your knowledge of organizational policies and how they apply to different situations. Use examples from your previous experience or explain what you would do if you were faced with a situation where the policy was unclear.

Example: “Some common organizational policies include dress code, vacation time, overtime pay and sick leave. In my last role, I had to clarify our company’s sick leave policy when one employee asked for more days off than we typically allowed. After researching the company handbook, I found that employees could request additional time off as long as it didn’t exceed their allotted PTO hours. This helped me provide clarity to the employee while also following company guidelines.”

6. What kinds of people generally make up a policy advisory board?

This question can help an interviewer understand your perspective on the people who make up a policy advisory board. It can also show them how you might interact with other members of a team. You can answer this question by describing what kind of people are typically involved in these types of boards and committees, but it can be helpful to mention any specific skills or characteristics that they may have.

Example: “Typically, a policy advisory board is made up of experts in their fields. They should all have experience working within government agencies or private companies. I think it’s important for each member to bring something unique to the table, whether it’s their expertise or different perspectives. For example, one person could be a business owner while another is a teacher. Each person brings a new way of looking at things to the discussion.”

7. What are some examples of policies that government agencies can implement?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to provide examples of policies that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Example: “Some government agencies implement policies regarding energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and carbon emissions. These policies help reduce pollution and protect the environment while also saving money on utility costs. Another example would be public transportation policy. This type of policy helps people get around more efficiently by implementing things like bike lanes, bus routes and train stations.”

8. What steps need to be followed when writing a new policy?

This question is a great way to assess your knowledge of the policymaking process. It also allows you to demonstrate your ability to work as part of a team and communicate effectively with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of how you would complete each step in the writing process.

Example: “The first thing I would do when starting a new policy is research current policies that are similar to what I am proposing. This helps me understand what has worked for other organizations and what hasn’t. Next, I would create a draft of the policy and submit it to my supervisor or manager for review. After making any necessary changes, I would present the policy to my organization’s board of directors for approval.”

9. What are the main guidelines for drafting an effective policy document?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the policymaking process. It’s important to be concise and clear in your response, as you’ll likely have to edit a draft document before it goes through the approval process.

Example: “I would start by making sure that all sources are cited properly. I’d also make sure that the language used is accessible for those who read at different levels. For example, if I were drafting a bill about education funding, I might use simple terms like ‘increase’ or ‘decrease’ rather than more complex words like ‘augmentation.’ Another thing I would do is include a timeline for implementation so that stakeholders know when they can expect results.”

10. Do all employees need to follow company policies? If not, then who gets exempted?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your ability to make decisions that are in the best interest of the company. In your answer, you should explain how you would determine who gets exempted from certain policies and why.

Example: “I believe all employees need to follow company policies because it’s important to have consistency across departments. However, I also understand that there may be times when an employee needs an exception to a policy. For example, if someone has been with the company for many years and they’re not performing well but they’ve never had any issues before, then I would consider making an exception to their performance review so they don’t get fired.”

11. What happens if someone violates a company policy?

This question can help an interviewer assess your ability to handle conflict and apply policy. Use examples from past experience to show how you handled a situation where someone violated company policy, and how you helped them understand the importance of following it.

Example: “In my last role as a marketing manager, I had a team member who consistently missed deadlines for projects. When I first spoke with him about his performance, he told me that he was working on multiple projects at once and didn’t have enough time in the day to complete everything. After talking with him further, we realized that he wasn’t prioritizing our client’s project over others, which led to late deliveries. We created a new schedule for him that allowed him to focus on one project at a time, and he improved his performance.”

12. How does a policy get implemented once it’s created?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the policymaking process. It’s important to understand how policies are created and implemented, as this can help you advocate for effective legislation that gets passed. In your answer, explain the steps involved in creating a law and how it becomes official.

Example: “Once a bill has been written, it needs to be introduced into Congress. If it passes through committee, then it goes to the House or Senate floor for debate. After that, it needs to pass both houses before being sent to the president for approval. The president can either sign the bill into law or veto it. If he vetoes it, then it returns to Congress where they can override his veto with a two-thirds majority vote.”

13. What are the responsibilities of an organization towards its stakeholders?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your understanding of the responsibilities an organization has towards its stakeholders. This is a basic policy advocacy skill that many professionals need, so it’s important to show you understand how organizations should interact with their stakeholders. In your answer, explain what stakeholders are and why they’re important to an organization.

Example: “Stakeholders are individuals or groups who have a vested interest in an organization. They can be customers, employees, investors or other people who care about the company’s success. An organization needs to consider its stakeholders when making decisions because these decisions affect them. For example, if a company decides to close down one of its locations, it will likely impact the employees at that location as well as the customers who shop there.”

14. What are some best practices for communicating changes in organizational policies?

This question can help interviewers assess your ability to communicate with stakeholders and the public about changes in organizational policies. Use examples from past experiences where you successfully communicated policy changes to stakeholders or the public.

Example: “I have experience communicating policy changes through a variety of channels, including email newsletters, social media platforms and company intranets. In my last role, I helped develop an internal communications strategy for our organization’s new diversity hiring practices. We used multiple communication methods to reach all employees, including sending out emails to staff members, publishing articles on our company intranet and sharing information on our social media accounts.”

15. Who is responsible for monitoring compliance with policies?

This question can help the interviewer assess your understanding of how policies are monitored and enforced. Use examples from your experience to highlight your ability to monitor compliance with policies, regulations and procedures.

Example: “The person responsible for monitoring compliance is usually a senior policy advocate or manager who oversees the entire advocacy team. In my last role, I was tasked with monitoring compliance with several state-level policies that affected our organization’s operations. I regularly reported any issues to my supervisor so they could address them before they became major problems.”