Open-Ended Questions

• Provide more information about the candidate.
• Give examples of how well the candidate thinks through a question, organizes a response and uses verbal communication.
• Gives you time to listen, to analyze the response and to prepare follow-up.
• Examples: How? Why? Tell me about. What?

Situation Stories

• A situation story is an account of any experience in which the candidate might have demonstrated what you are looking for.
• Shows problem-solving/decision-making skills
• Example: Tell me about one of the most difficult decisions you made and what happened as a result.
• Look for what the candidate did and the process the candidate used.
• Look at how successful the candidate was.
• Look at the skills the candidate demonstrated in dealing with the situation.

Success Stories

• A success story is a situation story with a positive ending. It is the candidate’s opportunity to tell you something that (s)he did well.
• Examples: Give me an example of some recent work you did that was of very high quality. Tell me about a particularly difficult situation that you were successful in addressing.
• Look for skills, personal characteristics, and motivation.

Ask for Outside Perspectives

• Ask the candidate how (s)he thinks other people might view him/her.
• Examples: What might your current director tell me about the quality of your work? How would your best friend describe you?
• Look for how the candidate describes himself/herself.

Ask Self-Evaluation Questions

• Ask a candidate to describe, evaluate, or rate him/herself.
• Examples: How skilled are you in performing __? How would you rate your skills?
• Look for supporting statements and relevant experiences.

Ask Preference Questions

• Likes and dislikes about previous jobs and experiences
• Example: What do you like/dislike most about your current work responsibilities?
• Look for how well the candidate will "fit" with the job, team, parish.
• Look for how well the candidate’s likes and dislikes match the requirements of the position.

Sample Interview Questions for Youth Workers

• Could you go through your resume and highlight what you have done?
• Give me an example of a retreat you offered that went very well. Why was it successful? What about one that didn’t go well? Why was it unsuccessful?
• How would you involve parents in your ministry?
• Tell me about the last retreat you ran.
• What would be the first thing you’d do if you were hired here?
• What are you looking for in this job? How would you like to grow in this position?
• If a teen approached you with a serious problem, how would you handle it?

Sample Interview Questions for Lay Assistants

• Could you go through your resume and highlight what you have done?
• Give me an example of a program you would want to implement here. What past experiences would help you implement such a program?
• Describe your experience ministering to different age groups. What did you learn from that experience?
• What would be the first thing you’d do if you were hired here?
• What are you looking for in this job? How would you like to grow in this position?
• If a parishioner approached you concerning a sick family member, how would you handle it?