20 Samaritan’s Purse Interview Questions and Answers

When interviewing for a position at Samaritan’s Purse, you can expect to be asked questions about your faith, your experience with relief work, and your ability to work in difficult or dangerous situations. The interviewer will also want to know about your motivation for wanting to work with Samaritan’s Purse, and what you think you can contribute to the organization. Here are some sample questions you might be asked in an interview for a position at Samaritan’s Purse.

Samaritan’s Purse Interview Process

The interview process at Samaritan’s Purse is lengthy and detailed. It typically starts with a self-recorded video interview, followed by multiple phone interviews, in-person interviews, and finally a zoom interview. The company is very interested in your theological convictions and your alignment with their values and mission. The interview process is invasive and can be exhausting, but it is also thorough and well organized.

1. What is your experience with developing and implementing programmatic projects?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to work as part of a team and complete projects on time. Use examples from previous experience that highlight your organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.

Example: “In my last position, I worked with a small team to develop a new program for the organization. We met weekly to discuss our progress and make sure we were meeting all deadlines. The program was well-received by donors and helped us raise more money than ever before.”

2. How would you ensure that a project/program was on track to meet its deadlines and goals?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you plan and organize your work. Use examples from past projects to show that you are organized, detail-oriented and able to meet deadlines.

Example: “I am a strong believer in using project management software to keep track of all aspects of a program or project. I have used several different types of software over the years, including Basecamp, Trello and Asana. Each has its own benefits, but I find that Asana is my favorite because it allows me to create multiple lists for each task, which helps me stay organized. It also allows me to set due dates for tasks so I can ensure that they’re completed on time.”

3. Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision for an organization. How did you approach the situation?

When an interviewer asks you to describe a time when you made a difficult decision, they are trying to understand how you approach making decisions and the thought process that goes into them. This is also a great opportunity for you to showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to make tough calls.

Example: “In my last role as a marketing manager, I had to decide whether or not we should invest in a new software platform. The company was growing quickly, and our current system wasn’t able to keep up with the demand. We were losing clients because of it, so I decided to look at other options. After researching several different platforms, I realized that one would be more cost-effective than the others. However, it required us to hire additional staff members to maintain it.”

4. Tell me about one of your biggest challenges working in the field with development programs.

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your problem-solving skills and how you react to challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific challenge you faced and what steps you took to overcome it.

Example: “One of my biggest challenges working in the field was when I first started out with Samaritan’s Purse. We were on a mission trip in Africa, and we had just finished our work for the day. My team and I decided to go into town to do some shopping before heading back to the hotel. While we were there, we witnessed a man being attacked by a group of people. We immediately ran over to help him, but he ended up dying from his injuries. It was a very difficult situation, but I knew that as Christians, we needed to act. We called the police and stayed until they arrived.”

5. Give me an example of a time where you used creativity to improve results.

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to think outside the box. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you used creativity to solve a specific problem or challenge.

Example: “In my last role as a social media manager for a marketing firm, I was tasked with creating content that would increase engagement on our company’s Facebook page. After analyzing our current metrics, I noticed we were getting more likes than shares. To improve this metric, I decided to create shareable content by including quotes and images in our posts. This strategy helped us increase our shares by 20%.”

6. Do you have any international travel or cross-cultural experience?

This question is a great opportunity to showcase your experience and how it has prepared you for this role. If you have international travel or cross-cultural experience, be sure to highlight the skills you gained from that experience that will help you succeed in this position.

Example: “I do have some international travel experience, although I haven’t been overseas since college. In my last job as an administrative assistant at a law firm, I was responsible for organizing our annual company retreats. During those trips, we would visit different cities each year. I learned how to navigate transportation systems in other countries and became familiar with foreign currencies. This helped me become more comfortable traveling internationally.”

7. What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. When answering this question, think about what you’re good at and what you could improve on.

Example: “I am very organized and detail-oriented, which helps me stay on top of my work. I also have excellent communication skills, so I’m able to clearly explain things to others. However, sometimes I can get overwhelmed with too much work or responsibility. If that happens, I take a break to regroup and refocus.”

8. We need our employees to be able to manage conflict well. Can you tell us about a time when you used conflict management skills effectively?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you can use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to resolve conflict.

Example: “I once had a disagreement with my supervisor about how I should handle a situation where one of our volunteers was being verbally abusive toward another employee. My supervisor wanted me to let the volunteer go, but I felt like we needed to give them a chance to improve their behavior. So, I spoke with the volunteer privately and explained why their behavior was unacceptable. They apologized and promised to do better in the future.”

9. Why do you want to work at Samaritan’s Purse?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are interested in working for Samaritan’s Purse. Use your answer to share what drew you to this organization, how you became familiar with it and any personal experiences that have influenced your decision to apply.

Example: “I first heard about Samaritan’s Purse when I was a teenager. My family had just moved into a new neighborhood, and my parents were looking for a church we could attend. We visited several churches before finding one that felt like home. That church happened to be part of the Samaritan’s Purse network, so I got to learn more about the organization through attending services there.”

10. Tell me about a time when you worked with people from different backgrounds, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to show your ability to work with people from different backgrounds and cultures. It also shows the interviewer that you can be respectful of other people’s beliefs, which is important for an organization like Samaritan’s Purse.

Example: “I worked at a hospital where I was one of two nurses on staff who were not Christian. At first, it was difficult because we didn’t have any common ground to talk about. However, after working together for several months, we became good friends. We would often go out to lunch together or sit in the break room and chat while we ate our lunches. Now, they are some of my closest friends.”

11. Descrbe your leadership style.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you would apply them in a work environment. Describe the qualities of a good leader, such as being organized, decisive, empathetic or inspiring.

Example: “I believe that a good leader should be someone who is approachable and available for their team members. I am always willing to listen to my colleagues’ ideas and suggestions, and I try to make myself available to answer questions or provide assistance when needed. Another important quality of a good leader is decisiveness. When making decisions, I consider all options carefully before choosing the best one.”

12. Would you say that you are more of a leader or a follower?

This question is designed to help the interviewer understand your leadership style and how you would interact with other members of their team. Your answer should show that you are a strong leader who can also work well in a group setting.

Example: “I am definitely more of a leader than a follower, but I believe that leaders need followers to be successful. In my last position, I was promoted to lead a small team of volunteers at our local food bank. I found that delegating tasks to my team helped me manage my time better so I could focus on larger projects. My team thrived under my leadership, and we were able to increase donations by 20%.”

13. Are you flexible with traveling frequently?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you are willing to travel frequently for work. If you have a family, it’s important to let the interviewer know that you can be flexible with your traveling schedule.

Example: “I am very flexible when it comes to my family and work life balance. I understand that sometimes there is no way around having to travel frequently for work. However, I do try to limit how often I travel as much as possible. In my last position, I was able to find a good balance between traveling and working from home.”

14. Our mission is to help those who are suffering and hurting around the world. What does this mean to you?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand Samaritan’s Purse’s mission and how it aligns with your own values. Use this question as a chance to explain what motivates you to help others in need.

Example: “I am passionate about helping those who are suffering because I know firsthand what it feels like to be in need of assistance. When I was younger, my family experienced financial hardship and we had to rely on food banks for meals. It was difficult to ask for help, but knowing that there were people out there willing to give us food and other necessities made all the difference. I want to work at Samaritan’s Purse so that I can continue to make a positive impact on the lives of others.”

15. Explain what compassion means to you.

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you understand what it means to be compassionate and how this quality can help you succeed in your role. When answering, try to use examples of times when you showed compassion for others or helped someone who was struggling.

Example: “Compassion means being kind and understanding toward those who are suffering. I believe that everyone deserves to feel loved and cared for, no matter their circumstances. In my last position as an administrative assistant at a local hospital, I noticed one of the nurses seemed upset. I asked her if she wanted to talk about anything, and she told me she was worried about not having enough time with her patients. I offered to take on some of her tasks so she could spend more time with her patients.”

16. If you could change something about the way we operate, what would it be?

This question is an opportunity to show your willingness to make changes and improve processes. It also shows that you are aware of the organization’s operations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific process or procedure and explain how you would change it.

Example: “I think Samaritan’s Purse does a great job with its emergency response procedures. However, I would like to see more emphasis on long-term recovery efforts in developing countries. For example, I believe we should consider sending teams to help rebuild homes after natural disasters instead of just providing food and medical supplies.”

17. What type of environment do you thrive best in?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you would be a good fit for Samaritan’s Purse. This organization is known for its Christian values and mission, so it may be important to them that you are comfortable with this aspect of the job. If you are not religious or do not share their beliefs, consider how you might work well in an environment where everyone has different views.

Example: “I am very passionate about helping others, which is why I want to pursue a career in healthcare. I thrive best in environments where we all have the same goal of providing care to those who need it most. While I am not religious myself, I respect other people’s right to practice their own religion and understand that Samaritan’s Purse embraces these values.”

18. How would you describe yourself as a person?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s personality and values. It also helps you determine if they are a good fit for Samaritan’s Purse, which has specific requirements for its employees.

Example: “I am an outgoing person who loves helping others. I’m always looking for ways to make someone else’s day better. I have a passion for serving people in need, so working at Samaritan’s Purse would be a dream come true. I love being around other people, so this job would suit me well.”

19. What values drive you professionally?

This question can help the interviewer understand your motivations for working in this field. They may be looking to see if you share their organization’s values, so it can also give them an idea of how well you might fit into the team. When answering this question, try to focus on what motivates you and why you want to work with Samaritan’s Purse.

Example: “I am driven by my faith and a desire to serve others. I believe that we are all put here to help one another, and I love being able to use my skills to make a difference in someone else’s life. In my last position, I was able to provide food and medical care to those who needed it most, and I hope to continue doing that as part of the Samaritan’s Purse team.”

20. What motivates you to get up each day?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand what drives your passion for helping others. Your answer should reflect a genuine interest in helping people, but it can also be an opportunity to share something personal about yourself that is not related to work.

Example: “I am motivated by my faith and love of God. I believe that we are all put on this earth to serve one another, so when I see someone who needs help, I feel compelled to do whatever I can to make their life better. I have always been like this, even as a child. When I saw someone who was sad or lonely, I would go out of my way to try to cheer them up.”