20 SCO Family of Services Interview Questions and Answers

SCO Family of Services is a New York City-based nonprofit that provides a wide range of social and human services to children, families, and adults in need. SCO’s programs include early childhood education, after-school programs, foster care and adoption, mental health services, and more.

If you’re applying for a job at SCO Family of Services, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, work history, and availability. In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of SCO interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

SCO Family of Services Interview Process

The interview process at SCO Family of Services can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, such as Case Worker or Child Care Worker, you may be interviewed in a group setting. For other positions, such as Intake Specialist or Assistant Residence Manager, you may have a one-on-one interview. Overall, the interview process is generally quick and straightforward, although some positions may require a second interview.

1. What are your career goals?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you are a good fit for their company. They may want to know that you have goals and aspirations beyond your current position. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any skills or certifications you would like to achieve in the future.

Example: “My goal is to become an expert on all things security. I am currently working toward my CISSP certification, which will allow me to better understand how to protect data from cyber threats. In five years, I hope to be managing a team of IT professionals who are helping businesses secure their systems.”

2. How do you think you would handle a situation where you have to deal with an angry client?

This question is a great way to see how you handle conflict and stress. It’s important for customer service representatives to be able to diffuse situations with clients, so it’s helpful if the person you’re interviewing has experience doing this in their past roles.

Example: “I think it’s important to remain calm when dealing with an angry client. I would try my best to listen to what they have to say and empathize with them. If they are upset about something that happened on our end, I would apologize and explain why it occurred. If they are upset about something that happened on their end, I would also apologize and offer to help resolve the issue.”

3. Tell us about a time when you had to make a difficult decision, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you make decisions and what your thought process is. It can also show them how you handle making tough choices, which can be important in this role. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example that shows you are decisive and able to make good choices.

Example: “When I was working as a security guard at a local mall, there was a fight between two teenagers. One of them had a knife, so I called for backup immediately. While we waited for more guards to arrive, I talked with the teens to try to diffuse the situation. Eventually, they calmed down enough that we were able to separate them without any further incident.”

4. What is your experience working with children and families?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience working with children and families. Your answer should include information about what you did, how long you worked in that role and any skills or knowledge you gained while doing it.

Example: “I have been working as a teacher for five years now. I started out teaching kindergarten but moved up to third grade after two years. In my current position, I teach math, reading and writing to students from all different backgrounds. I’ve learned so much about how to work with kids of all learning styles and abilities.”

5. Why do you want to work at SCO Family of Services?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their organization. Use your answer to highlight any personal or professional values that align with SCO Family of Services, such as teamwork, innovation or customer service.

Example: “I want to work at SCO Family of Services because I am passionate about helping children in need. In my last role, I worked with families who were struggling financially, and it was so rewarding to see how we could make a difference in their lives. Working here would allow me to continue making an impact on people’s lives while also developing new skills.”

6. Describe the most challenging case that you’ve worked on.

This question can help the interviewer understand your problem-solving skills and how you react to challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a situation where you overcame a challenge or helped your client overcome a challenge.

Example: “The most challenging case I’ve worked on was when my client’s child had been diagnosed with autism. My client was very concerned about what would happen to their child as they grew up and wanted to know if there were any treatments that could improve their son’s condition. After researching several different treatment options, we decided that the best course of action for our family was to enroll him in an intensive behavioral therapy program. He has made great strides since starting the program.”

7. What are three qualities that you believe every good case worker should possess?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you possess the qualities necessary for success in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to think about what your previous supervisors have valued most in their case workers.

Example: “I believe every good case worker should be empathetic, patient and organized. I’ve seen many of my colleagues struggle with these skills at times, but when they’re able to apply them consistently, they are much more effective at helping clients achieve their goals.”

8. Tell me about a time when you had to prioritize tasks, how did you determine what comes first?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and determine what tasks are most important. Use examples from previous jobs to show that you know how to prioritize effectively, which can be a valuable skill for this role.

Example: “In my last job as an IT specialist, I had to manage several projects at once. One of my main priorities was always making sure our clients were happy with their service. If they experienced any issues or needed assistance, I would drop everything else to address it. Another priority was ensuring all employees were trained on new systems and processes so we could provide excellent customer service.”

9. Do you have any experience in administrative support?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and how it relates to this role. If you have experience in administrative support, share what types of tasks you performed and how they helped your team succeed.

Example: “I worked as an administrative assistant at my previous job where I supported two managers with their daily tasks. My primary responsibilities included managing calendars, scheduling meetings, answering phones and filing paperwork. I also created reports and presentations for senior management when needed.”

10. At SCO we value teamwork, tell me about a time you were part of a team and how you contributed.

Teamwork is an important skill to have in the IT industry. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teamwork skills and how you contribute to a team. Your answer should include information about what made you a valuable member of the team, such as your communication skills or problem-solving abilities.

Example: “At my previous job, I was part of a small IT department that worked on many projects at once. We had to communicate with each other often to ensure we were all working on the right tasks for our clients. I always made sure to listen carefully when others spoke so I could understand their needs and provide solutions to any problems they encountered.”

11. We need our youth specialists to be able to work independently, are you comfortable doing this?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to work independently and how you can be successful in this role. When answering, it’s important to highlight your independence and the skills that make you a strong candidate for this position.

Example: “I am comfortable working independently because I have done so throughout my career. In my last position, I was responsible for all of my tasks and projects without any direct supervision. This allowed me to learn more about my job responsibilities and develop my own methods for completing them. As a result, I became more efficient at my job and developed new ways to complete tasks.”

12. Are you willing to travel for work?

If the job requires you to travel, employers may ask this question. They want to make sure that you are willing to take on this responsibility and that you have experience with it. If you do not have any experience traveling for work, consider sharing a time when you traveled for another reason.

Example: “I am happy to travel for work as long as I know in advance. In my last position, I was required to travel once or twice per month. I always made sure to book my flights ahead of time so I could get familiar with the route. This helped me feel more comfortable during my trips.”

13. What do you think makes a successful case plan?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your approach to case planning. Your answer can show the interviewer how you plan and organize cases, which can be an important skill for social workers. In your response, try to describe a specific process or strategy that helped you develop successful plans in previous roles.

Example: “I think a successful case plan starts with understanding the client’s goals and needs. I always make sure to speak with my clients directly to get their input on what they hope to achieve from our services. This helps me create a realistic plan that addresses each of their concerns while also considering any limitations we might have as a team. For example, if a client wants to find a job but has no transportation, I would need to include strategies for overcoming that challenge.”

14. Give me an example of a time where you went above and beyond for a client.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go the extra mile for clients. It also shows them how much you care about their needs and wants, which can be important in customer service positions.

Example: “When I was working at my previous job, one of my clients called me because they were having trouble with their computer. They said it would turn on but then shut off after a few minutes. I told them I would come over right away and see what I could do. When I got there, I found out that the problem was actually a loose wire inside the tower. I fixed it for them and even helped them set up their new printer.”

15. How many clients can you manage effectively?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you prioritize your work and manage multiple projects. Your answer should show that you have experience managing a large workload, but also that you know when to ask for help or delegate tasks.

Example: “In my previous role as an IT specialist, I managed up to 50 clients at once. However, I always made sure to keep track of all their needs and ensure they were satisfied with my services. If I ever felt overwhelmed by the number of clients I had, I would reach out to my team members for help. They were more than happy to assist me with any client requests.”

16. What is your approach to helping someone who is struggling with substance abuse?

Substance abuse is a common problem in many communities, and the interviewer may want to know how you would handle this situation. Your answer should show that you have experience with substance abuse cases and can help clients find treatment options.

Example: “I’ve worked with several clients who were struggling with addiction, and I always start by listening to their concerns and learning more about their substance use. Then, I refer them to local rehab centers or other resources for getting help. In some cases, I also recommend they seek counseling services to learn more about why they are using substances and how to avoid it in the future.”

17. Can you give me an example of a time where you had to provide feedback to a colleague or subordinate?

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills and ability to give constructive feedback. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide a specific example of how you provided feedback in the past and what the outcome was.

Example: “In my last position as a security guard at a local mall, I noticed that one of my colleagues wasn’t following protocol when checking bags for weapons. Instead of just telling them about the issue, I waited until our shift ended and then asked if they could meet me in the break room so we could talk privately. Once there, I explained why their actions were putting us both at risk and gave them some tips on how to check bags more efficiently while still being thorough.”

18. How do you respond to constructive criticism?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you react to feedback and whether you’re open to changing your approach when necessary. Use examples from past experiences where you received constructive criticism, reflected on it and implemented changes in your work or personal life.

Example: “When I first started working as a security guard at an office building, I was very strict about following rules and regulations. One night, my supervisor called me into their office for a meeting. They told me that some of the employees had complained about my attitude toward them. After reflecting on this feedback, I realized that I needed to be more friendly with the employees and make sure they felt comfortable approaching me if they ever needed anything.”

19. What is your experience with crisis intervention?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with a specific type of intervention. You can use this opportunity to highlight any unique skills or experiences you have that might be relevant to the position.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for managing all crisis calls and emails. This included helping callers who were in distress due to their loved one’s addiction. I also helped family members who were struggling to get their loved ones into treatment facilities. In both cases, I used my active listening skills to understand what they needed from me and provided them with resources and support.”

20. Have you ever been involved in a court hearing before?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your experience with legal proceedings. If you have, they may ask you about it in more detail. If not, they might want to know what you would do if you were ever involved in one.

Example: “I’ve never been involved in a court hearing before, but I think that if I was, I would be prepared because of my education and work experience. I understand how important it is to follow the law and would make sure that I understood all of the details of the case so that I could represent myself appropriately.”