20 SEIU Interview Questions and Answers

When you’re interviewing for a position with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), you can expect to be asked questions about your experience working with diverse populations, your commitment to social justice, and your ability to work effectively as part of a team.

In this guide, we’ll give you some tips on how to answer SEIU interview questions so you can make a strong impression and get the job you want.

SEIU Interview Process

The interview process at SEIU can be long and unprofessional. In some cases, candidates report being kept waiting for interviews, or being interviewed by unprepared staff. The difficulty of the interview process varies depending on the position applied for, but in general, SEIU does not seem to be an easy organization to get a job with.

1. What do you think are the most important skills for an organizer?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your organizing skills and how you apply them in the workplace. When answering, think of a time when you used these skills to achieve success.

Example: “I believe that communication is one of the most important skills for an organizer because it allows us to share information with our team members and keep everyone on the same page. I also think it’s essential to be organized and detail-oriented since we’re often working with large amounts of data. Finally, I think empathy is another skill that helps me succeed as an organizer because it allows me to understand my coworkers’ needs and concerns.”

2. Tell us about a time when you had to make quick decisions under pressure, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of how you handle stressful situations and make decisions. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to work under pressure and adaptability.

Example: “In my previous role as an administrative assistant for a small business, I had to take on many responsibilities when my boss was out sick. One day, I received several urgent phone calls from clients who were having issues with their accounts. I handled each call quickly and efficiently while also handling other tasks that needed to be completed. In the end, all of the client’s needs were met, and they expressed their satisfaction with our service.”

3. Describe your experience with organizing events and campaigns.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with organizing large groups of people. Use examples from past experiences to highlight your communication and leadership skills, as well as your ability to work under pressure.

Example: “In my last position, I organized a campaign that encouraged state employees to use public transportation instead of driving to work. We held several meetings where we discussed the benefits of using public transportation and how it could save them money on gas and parking. We also created an online forum for employees to discuss their concerns and share ideas. After two months, our campaign resulted in a 10% increase in public transportation usage.”

4. If SEIU were having an event in the next two weeks, what steps would you take to organize it?

This question is a great way to assess your organizational skills and time management. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list the steps you would take to organize an event in two weeks or less.

Example: “If SEIU were having an event in the next two weeks, I would first ask my supervisor what they need from me to help plan the event. Then, I would create a calendar on my phone with all of the important dates for the event. Next, I would contact vendors and other people who may be able to help plan the event. Finally, I would meet with my supervisor and other members of the team to finalize plans.”

5. Why do you want to work at SEIU as an organizer?

This question is an opportunity to show your interest in the position and how you can contribute to the organization. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your passion for working with people and helping them achieve their goals.

Example: “I want to work at SEIU because I’m passionate about advocating for workers’ rights. In my last role as a community organizer, I worked with local government officials to create more affordable housing options for low-income families. This experience has inspired me to continue working toward social justice and equality.”

6. Is there anything that we could improve on in our current structure?

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and willingness to help the organization grow. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something you noticed that could use improvement and how you would implement change if hired.

Example: “I think one thing we could improve on in our current structure is communication. I’ve noticed some members of the union have questions or concerns but don’t feel comfortable reaching out for help. If I were hired, I would create an online forum where employees could ask questions anonymously and receive answers from other SEIU members.”

7. How would you use social media to recruit more members?

Social media is a powerful tool for unions to recruit new members. SEIU wants to know how you would use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to grow their membership.

Example: “I have used social media in the past to help organize protests and rallies. I’ve also used it to share information about union events and meetings. In my last position, I helped create an online community where we could connect with each other and discuss issues that were important to us. This led to more people joining our union.”

8. What is your leadership style?

SEIU is a union that represents many different types of workers, so it’s important to be able to lead in a way that everyone understands. Your leadership style should reflect the needs of your team members and help them succeed.

Example: “I believe that effective leaders are those who can listen to their team members and understand what they need from their leader. I am someone who values transparency and honesty, which means I will always tell my team members exactly what I expect from them and how they can achieve success. I also like to delegate tasks to my team members so they feel empowered to make decisions on their own.”

9. Do you have any previous experience working with unions or labor organizations?

The SEIU is a union that represents many different types of workers, so it’s likely they’re looking for candidates with experience working in unions. If you have previous experience, be sure to highlight the skills and knowledge you gained from your past role.

Example: “I worked as an organizer for my local chapter of the American Federation of Teachers for two years before I moved into this position. During that time, I learned how to organize large groups of people and communicate effectively with them. I also developed strong negotiation skills that helped me work through disagreements between teachers and school districts.”

10. Do you have any knowledge of worker’s rights?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the union’s mission and goals. SEIU members are often involved in political campaigns, so it’s important that you’re aware of current events and how they relate to the union.

Example: “I have been following the news about the recent minimum wage increase in California. I think this is an amazing accomplishment for the state and hope that other states follow suit. As a member of SEIU, I would love to be part of any future political campaign that supports raising the minimum wage.”

11. Are you comfortable speaking in front of large groups of people?

This question is a good way to assess your public speaking skills. SEIU members often have to speak in front of large groups, so it’s important that you feel confident doing this. If you’re not comfortable with public speaking, consider taking a speech class or practicing in front of smaller groups until you feel more confident.

Example: “I’ve always been an outgoing person and I enjoy speaking in front of others. In my last position as a community organizer, I had to give speeches at rallies and protests. While I was nervous at first, I got used to it and became quite comfortable speaking in front of large crowds.”

12. How would you gain support from other workers during a campaign?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your leadership skills and ability to persuade others. Use examples from past experiences where you successfully convinced other workers to support a cause or campaign.

Example: “I would first try to understand the reasons why they might not want to get involved in the campaign. I’ve found that by listening to their concerns, I can find common ground and show them how my ideas will benefit them. For example, when organizing for better working conditions at a hospital, I met with several nurses who were hesitant to join our union because of fears about job security. After explaining that we could negotiate for more staff members and resources, many nurses decided to join us.”

13. Have you ever worked on a team where someone was not pulling their weight, how did you deal with it?

The SEIU is a union, so they want to know that you can work well with others. They also want to make sure that you are honest and direct when it comes to conflict resolution.

Example: “I have worked on teams where someone was not pulling their weight before, but I always try to be as diplomatic as possible. In my last position, there was one person who would often miss deadlines or take long breaks during the day. I talked to them about it privately and asked if everything was okay. They said yes, but I still noticed the same behavior happening over the next few weeks.

I brought up the issue again, this time in front of our team. I told them that we all need to pull our own weight and that I wanted to help them succeed. We came up with a plan for them to get back on track and set new goals. It took some time, but eventually they were able to meet those goals.”

14. What qualities should an organizer have?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the role and how you would perform it. You can describe what qualities you have that make you a good organizer, or you can list specific qualities that are important for organizers to have.

Example: “Organizers should be passionate about their cause and dedicated to helping others. They need to be able to communicate effectively with people from all backgrounds and understand different perspectives. Organizers also need to be organized and detail-oriented so they can keep track of many tasks at once. Finally, they should be empathetic and compassionate because organizing often involves working with people who are experiencing difficult situations.”

15. Tell me about a time when you faced adversity, how did you respond?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your problem-solving skills and how you respond to challenges. Use examples from your past that highlight your ability to overcome adversity, adapt to change and learn new things.

Example: “In my last position as an administrative assistant for a small business, I was responsible for managing all incoming calls and emails. One day, our office manager left early due to illness, leaving me in charge of answering phones and responding to emails until he returned. It was challenging at first, but I quickly learned how to prioritize tasks and delegate work to other employees.”

16. What is your experience with developing and executing strategies?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to plan and implement strategies that help achieve goals. Use examples from previous experience to highlight your strategic planning, problem-solving and leadership skills.

Example: “In my last role as a union organizer, I worked with the local government employees’ union to develop a strategy for increasing membership. We decided on a campaign that would target new hires in order to educate them about the benefits of joining the union. We also created a social media marketing campaign to reach out to current members who hadn’t renewed their membership. The strategy was successful, and we increased our membership by 10%.”

17. What motivates you to go above and beyond your daily duties?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how your personality might fit in with SEIU. Your answer should show that you are motivated by helping others, working in teams or being recognized for your work.

Example: “I am motivated by making sure my coworkers have everything they need to do their jobs well. I also love when people recognize me for doing good work, so I always try to go above and beyond what’s expected of me because it makes me feel good about myself.”

18. Give an example of a time when you took initiative without being asked to by your boss.

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and how you can take charge when needed. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the positive outcome of your actions.

Example: “When I was working as an administrative assistant for a small business, my boss asked me to organize his desk while he was out of town on vacation. While organizing his desk, I noticed that some of his paperwork had expired. I organized all of his paperwork and filed everything correctly so that there would be no issues when he returned from vacation. He thanked me for taking initiative and helping him avoid any problems.”

19. Describe a situation where you had to be flexible and adapt to change quickly.

Employers ask this question to see if you can adapt to new situations and challenges. They want to know that you are a problem-solver who is willing to learn new things.

Example: “When I started my current job, I was the only person in my department with experience using our software program. My manager asked me to train two new employees on how to use it. At first, I thought this would be difficult because I had never trained anyone before. However, I decided to give it a try. I explained everything as clearly as possible and answered any questions they had. By the end of the training session, both employees were confident in their ability to use the software.”

20. What is your organizational philosophy?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have a strong work ethic and are committed to excellence. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the values of your current employer or how you would implement them in your new role.

Example: “I believe that success comes from hard work and dedication. I am always willing to put in extra time and effort when needed to ensure my projects are completed on time and within budget. In fact, at my last job, I volunteered for a project that required me to stay late one night per week. My manager was impressed with my willingness to help out and offered me a promotion.”