20 The Salvation Army Interview Questions and Answers

The Salvation Army is a faith-based organization that provides a variety of services to those in need. They offer programs such as housing assistance, job training, and disaster relief. The Salvation Army also has a thrift store where people can donate items and purchase items at a discounted price.

When applying for a job with The Salvation Army, you can expect to be asked questions about your faith, as well as your experience with volunteering and helping others. The Salvation Army is looking for employees who are passionate about their work and dedicated to helping others.

If you are preparing for an interview with The Salvation Army, it is important to be prepared to answer questions about your faith and your experience with volunteering. In this article, we will provide some sample questions and answers that you can use to prepare for your interview.

The Salvation Army Interview Process

The Salvation Army’s interview process is relatively straightforward and typically takes about a week to complete. Candidates can expect to participate in a phone screen, followed by an in-person interview with a panel of managers. The interviews are generally quite relaxed and focus on behavioral questions. Overall, the interview experience is positive and candidates report feeling well-prepared for the process.

1. Tell me about a time that you worked in a diverse environment.

The Salvation Army is a global organization that serves people of all backgrounds. Employers ask this question to make sure you can work with different types of people and cultures. Use your answer to show the interviewer that you have experience working in diverse environments. Explain how you used your communication skills to help others understand each other’s differences.

Example: “I’ve worked in a diverse environment for most of my career, but I think it’s important to learn from everyone around us. In my last job, I had the opportunity to work with someone who was new to our team. She was very quiet at first, so I asked her questions about herself to get to know her better. As we talked more, she opened up and started asking me questions about myself as well. By getting to know her, I learned more about her culture and religion. We became good friends.”

2. What is your experience with Microsoft Office?

The Salvation Army uses Microsoft Office to complete many of its daily tasks. Knowing how to use the software can help you in your interview and throughout your employment with the organization. If you have experience using the software, share that information with the interviewer. If not, let them know you are willing to learn.

Example: “I am familiar with all aspects of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. I used these programs at my last job to create reports for clients and organize data. I also created presentations for meetings and training sessions.”

3. How would you handle an angry customer?

The Salvation Army is a nonprofit organization that provides social services to people in need. As such, you may encounter angry customers who are upset about the wait time or other aspects of your service. An interviewer asks this question to make sure you have the interpersonal skills necessary to handle challenging situations with grace and professionalism. In your answer, demonstrate how you would remain calm under pressure while also empathizing with the customer’s situation.

Example: “I understand that sometimes it can be frustrating to visit an organization for help. I believe that empathy is one of the most important qualities a frontline employee can possess. When faced with an angry customer, I would try my best to listen to their concerns without interrupting them. Then, once they were done speaking, I would apologize for any inconvenience and explain what steps we take to ensure quality service.”

4. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult co-worker, what did you do and how did it turn out?

The Salvation Army is a faith-based organization, so it’s important to show that you can work with people of different backgrounds and beliefs. This question helps the interviewer determine how you’ll fit in at The Salvation Army. Use your answer to highlight your ability to communicate effectively and resolve conflict.

Example: “In my last position as an administrative assistant, I had a coworker who was very critical of me. She would often make comments about my work performance and sometimes even questioned whether I should be working there. At first, I tried to ignore her comments, but after a while, I realized that she wasn’t going away. So, I decided to talk to her about her behavior. I told her that her comments were making me feel uncomfortable and asked if there was something wrong. She apologized and said that she didn’t mean to offend me. After that conversation, we became better friends.”

5. Why are you interested in working for the Salvation Army?

This question can help the interviewer determine your passion for this type of work. Your answer should include a few reasons why you want to be part of this organization and how it helps others.

Example: “I’m passionate about helping people in need, and I believe that everyone deserves a chance at life. The Salvation Army is an amazing organization because it provides so many services to those who are struggling. For example, when I was growing up, my family struggled financially, but we were able to receive food from the local Salvation Army. This helped us get back on our feet, and now I want to give back by providing these same resources to other families.”

6. Can you tell us about a time where you were very successful at networking?

The Salvation Army is a faith-based organization, so it’s important to show that you can network with people of different faiths and backgrounds. When answering this question, explain how your networking skills helped achieve success in the situation.

Example: “I recently attended a networking event for my current employer where I met several other professionals in the marketing industry. We all talked about our jobs and what we do on a daily basis, and I learned that many of them were looking for new employees. After talking with them, I realized that I would be a great fit for their company because of my experience in social media marketing. A few weeks later, they contacted me about an open position at their company, and I was able to successfully apply for the job.”

7. Do you have any experience working with children or the elderly?

The Salvation Army is a faith-based organization that offers many services to the community. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with people of different ages and backgrounds. If you have any experience, share what you learned from these experiences.

Example: “I worked as a camp counselor for three summers in high school. I was responsible for leading groups of children on various activities throughout the day. One summer, we had an elderly woman volunteer at our camp. She helped me lead arts and crafts projects with the younger kids while she assisted the older kids with their projects. It was a great learning experience to work with someone who had so much life experience.”

8. Are you comfortable answering phone calls?

The Salvation Army is a nonprofit organization that relies on volunteers to answer phones and help customers. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have experience with this type of work. If you do, share an example of how you handled a call in the past. If you don’t, explain what kind of training you would need to learn how to handle calls.

Example: “I’ve worked as a receptionist for several years now, so I’m very comfortable answering phone calls. In my last position, I answered all incoming calls and helped customers find the information they needed. I also took messages when necessary and transferred them to the appropriate person.”

9. Provide an example of a time when you provided excellent customer service.

Customer service is an important part of working in the nonprofit sector. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience interacting with clients and donors. Use your answer to highlight a time when you helped someone solve a problem or find what they were looking for. Explain how your actions benefited the client and helped them achieve their goals.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, I had a regular customer who would come into the store every week. One day, she came in and told me that she was disappointed because her favorite shirt wasn’t available in her size anymore. I looked through our inventory and found one more shirt in her size. She was so happy, and she bought it right away. She even started buying two shirts each week just so she could keep one as a backup.”

10. Describe a time when you felt like you made a difference in someone’s life.

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your values and how you feel about helping others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you helped someone in need or made their life easier.

Example: “When I was working as an administrative assistant at my previous job, one of our employees had a family emergency that required her to take some time off work. She didn’t have anyone who could cover for her, so she asked me if I would be willing to fill in for her while she took care of her family matter. I agreed because I knew how important it was for her to take care of her family, but I also wanted to help out the company during a busy season. During that week, I learned more about the company’s operations and felt like I really contributed to the team.”

11. Have you ever disagreed with a manager on a policy/procedure, how did you handle it?

The Salvation Army is a Christian organization, and as such, it has its own policies and procedures. The interviewer wants to know how you would handle disagreeing with the organization’s policies or procedures while still maintaining your professionalism.

Example: “I once worked for an organization that had a policy of not allowing employees to take any time off during the week unless they were sick. I disagreed with this policy because I felt it was unfair to employees who wanted to attend family events but couldn’t due to work obligations. I spoke with my manager about changing the policy, and she agreed to allow employees to take one day off per month if they needed to attend a family event.”

12. Tell me about a time when you had to prioritize tasks in order to meet a deadline.

The Salvation Army is a large organization that requires its employees to manage multiple tasks at once. This question helps the interviewer determine how you handle time management and prioritize your work. Use examples from previous experiences where you had to balance multiple projects or assignments in order to meet deadlines.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for managing several social media accounts while also creating content for our website. At times, it could be challenging to create engaging content for both platforms while still maintaining an active presence on social media. However, I learned to prioritize my tasks by focusing more of my energy on creating quality content for our website rather than spending too much time on social media.”

13. What was one of your most memorable volunteer experiences and why?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and understand what motivates you. Your answer should include a specific example of your volunteer experience, how it made you feel and why you enjoyed it.

Example: “One of my most memorable experiences was when I volunteered at an animal shelter for two years. I loved being able to interact with all the different animals and seeing them find loving homes. It was rewarding to see that we were helping these animals find good families who would take care of them. The best part about volunteering there was getting to spend time with the other volunteers. We became like family and helped each other out whenever we needed it.”

14. Would you be able to work with potentially mentally ill individuals?

The Salvation Army is a faith-based organization that offers many services to the community. Some of these include providing food and shelter for those in need, addiction recovery programs and mental health care. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with people who are struggling with their mental health. If you do not, they may also want to know how prepared you are to learn about the organization’s specific mental health care programs.

Example: “I am happy to work with anyone who needs help. I believe that everyone has value and deserves support. In my previous role as a social worker, I worked with individuals who were experiencing mental illness. I helped them develop coping mechanisms and find resources within the community to meet their unique needs.”

15. Why should we hire you over other candidates?

This question is a great way to show your confidence and enthusiasm for the position. It’s also an opportunity to highlight any skills or experiences that make you unique from other candidates. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what makes you stand out as a candidate. Consider including some of your most important qualifications in your answer.

Example: “I believe I am the best candidate for this position because of my passion for helping others. Throughout my career, I have worked with many different types of people who are facing challenging situations. I feel like I would be able to relate to anyone who comes through our doors at The Salvation Army. I’m also very committed to my work and always strive to do my best. I know I would be a valuable member of your team.”

16. What does diversity mean to you?

The Salvation Army is a Christian organization that welcomes people of all backgrounds. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you are able to work with people from different cultures and religions. In your answer, try to show that you value diversity in the workplace. Explain how you would help create an inclusive environment for everyone at the organization.

Example: “Diversity means accepting people who are different than us. I believe it’s important to embrace our differences because we can learn so much from each other. At my last job, I worked with many people from different countries. I learned about their customs and traditions, which helped me understand them better as individuals. I also feel like I became more open-minded after working there.”

17. Which social media platforms do you use?

The Salvation Army is a religious organization, so it’s important that you use social media in an appropriate way. The interviewer wants to make sure you understand the importance of using social media responsibly and ethically. In your answer, explain which platforms you use and why you use them. If you don’t have any experience with social media, talk about how you would learn to use these platforms if hired.

Example: “I use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat regularly. I enjoy connecting with people online and sharing inspirational messages. I think social media can be used for good, and I try to use my accounts to spread positivity. I also use social media as a resource for news and current events. It’s important to me that I stay informed on what’s happening in the world.”

18. What times of day are you available to take phone calls from clients?

The Salvation Army may ask this question to make sure you’re available during the times when they need help with their clients. They want someone who can be flexible and willing to work at any time of day or night. When answering this question, try to show that you are a hard worker who is dedicated to helping others.

Example: “I am available 24/7. I understand that sometimes people call us in the middle of the night because they have nowhere else to turn. If I were hired here, I would do my best to answer every phone call no matter what time it was. I know how important it is for people to feel like they can reach out to us whenever they need help.”

19. Give an example of a time when you dealt with conflict, how did you handle it?

The Salvation Army is a faith-based organization, so it’s important to show that you can work with people of all backgrounds and beliefs. Your answer should demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and resolve conflict in a respectful manner.

Example: “In my last position as an administrative assistant, I had two coworkers who were constantly arguing about how to do their jobs. One was more experienced than the other, but they both wanted to be in charge. They would often talk over each other during meetings and ignore what others said. It got to the point where no one could hear anything anyone else said.

I scheduled a meeting with them separately and asked them to explain their roles and responsibilities. Then, we discussed ways to collaborate on projects and share information without interrupting each other. After our discussion, they agreed to find a balance between collaboration and independence.”

20. What sort of things are important to consider when helping people who are low income/homeless?

The Salvation Army is a Christian organization that helps people in need. Your answer should show the interviewer that you understand what it means to help those who are less fortunate and how important it is to treat them with respect.

Example: “I believe that when helping people who are low income or homeless, it’s important to remember that they’re human beings just like everyone else. I try to be respectful of their privacy and dignity at all times. For example, if someone asks me not to take a photo of them, I won’t do so. I also make sure to listen to what they have to say and provide them with as much information about our services as possible.”