Interview Questions

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Many applicants first big fear is the interview. Who likes an interview? You want to feel prepared, but not overly prepared, but definitely not in the dark.  The key to the Peace Corps interview is to dress professionally like you would to any job interview ''(slacks, button up collared shirt, tie, skirt, suit, dress shoes, blouse, primped)'', relax and be comfortable ''(many people attribute a Peace Corps interview to being like talking with an old friend about why you are joining)'', and be informed about the Peace Corps [[#Questions_to_Ask|''(but be prepared to ask questions)'']]. An interview may last anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours.
Many applicants first big fear is the interview. Who likes an interview? You want to feel prepared, but not overly prepared, but definitely not in the dark.  The key to the Peace Corps interview is to dress professionally like you would to any job interview ''(slacks, button up collared shirt, tie, skirt, suit, dress shoes, blouse, primped)'', relax and be comfortable ''(many people attribute a Peace Corps interview to being like talking with an old friend about why you are joining)'', and be informed about the Peace Corps [[#Questions_to_Ask|''(but be prepared to ask questions)'']]. An interview may last anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours.
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==Interview Questions==
 
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These questions have been compiled by various sources who have been interviewed during their application process.  In general, it has been agreed by those who've looked at this list that this is a pretty concrete list of the questions that you will be asked during the interview. The list may not be word for word, but nearly all these questions will be asked in one wording or another, and one order or another. Usually there are a couple extra or a couple they don't ask, but they all sort of fall in sync with this list.  Finally, this list should be used as a guide, only to look at so you can start thinking about the interview, get general ideas of how you might respond.
 
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''(recommend turning any response from a negative into a positive, as well as in most responses.)''
 
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'''MOTIVATION / COMMITMENT'''
 
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* What motivates you to seek a service position as a Peace Corps Volunteer? How does Peace Corps service fit into your long range plans?
 
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* What, if anything, might keep you from completing a 27-month commitment to Peace Corps Service?
 
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* Do you have a specific geographic preference? If yes: what is the reason for your preference and how flexible are you? If there are specific regions where you are unwilling to serve: what are your reasons and what is your degree of flexibility?
 
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'''PRODUCTIVE COMPETENCE'''
 
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* Please tell me about your most successful experience in a leadership role. Be as specific as possible.
 
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* Please tell me about an experience when you were able to transfer some knowledge or skill to someone who was different from yourself. What did you learn about your interpersonal skills from that experience? What did you learn about the other person?
 
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* Please tell me about the most frustrating experience you have had when working with others. Specifically, how did you manage that frustration?
 
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* Please tell me about a time when you worked in an unstructured or ambiguous situation?  How did you approach the task at hand?  What did you learn about your personal strengths from that experience?
 
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* All Peace Corps Volunteers learn a new language. Have you studied a second language?
 
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** If so, what challenges did you face and what level of facility did you achieve?
 
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** What aptitudes or abilities can you draw on to help you succeed in learning a new language?
 
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'''MATURITY'''
 
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* What situations do you typically find stressful? What do you currently do to reduce stress?
 
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* When you are overseas, circumstances and/or cultural norms may prevent you from employing your usual ways of managing stress, boredom, and loneliness. You will also most likely be out of touch with your familiar support group.
 
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** In such a situation, what alternative outlets might you use?
 
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** If your support group currently plays a critical role in helping you cope with stress, how will you manage without them?
 
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* What is the longest you have been physically separated from important people (family, friends, romantic interests, etc.) in your life? What was the most difficult part of being away from those closest to you? How did you cope?
 
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* What kind of support have you received from those closest to you on your decision to join the Peace Corps?
 
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* Has anyone close to you opposed your decision to join Peace Corps? If so, who was it? What were his/her concerns? How have you responded to them?
 
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* One’s ability to work through and resolve differences or conflict is often tested in cross-cultural situations. Please tell me about a specific situation, one we haven’t already discussed, when you needed to work through a disagreement or difference of opinion. Were you able to reach a resolution? How, specifically, did you do that?
 
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* If you weren’t able to resolve the conflict, what prevented you from doing so? In retrospect, is there anything you would do differently?
 
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'''SOCIAL SENSITIVITY / CULTURAL AWARENESS'''
 
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* In some countries, tattoos, body piercing, or unusual hairstyles may be culturally unacceptable. To be a successful Volunteer in such a country, you would have to modify your appearance so that it conforms to local norms. Are you willing to make such an adjustment? Give an example of a time that you had to modify your appearance.
 
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* The following are issues that you may face in your country of service. Please note any concerns:
 
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** different and/or lack of familiar foods
 
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** different living conditions
 
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** lack of privacy; isolation
 
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** prescribed gender roles 
 
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** possible minority challenges
 
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** personal religious requirements/possible lack of access to your own religious services
 
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** living in a culture where alcohol may be widely consumed and accepted/living in a culture that prohibits the use of alcohol altogether
 
==Questions to Ask==
==Questions to Ask==

Revision as of 16:50, 20 March 2009

Contents


Many applicants first big fear is the interview. Who likes an interview? You want to feel prepared, but not overly prepared, but definitely not in the dark. The key to the Peace Corps interview is to dress professionally like you would to any job interview (slacks, button up collared shirt, tie, skirt, suit, dress shoes, blouse, primped), relax and be comfortable (many people attribute a Peace Corps interview to being like talking with an old friend about why you are joining), and be informed about the Peace Corps (but be prepared to ask questions). An interview may last anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours.


Questions to Ask

Besides giving answers you are happy with, something that is quite important, sometimes overlooked, and the interviewer is really interested in are the questions you ask them. They want to see that you know about the organization, you've done some research, but that you are still seeking more knowledge about the Peace Corps. Keep in mind that you may think you know the answer to something, but most likely, you only know part of it, so ask anyway!

HEALTH/SAFETY

TRAINING/WORK

LIFESTYLE

External Links

Peace Corps: The Interview

YouTube Peace Corps Interview

PeaceCorps2 Yahoo Group

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