My interview is coming up at the end of January, and I am slightly nervous for it. When I went to the peace corps luncheon I was reassured that I should look on youtube and watch several response videos. However I would like to see if anyone here has already gone through their interview process and would be willing to give me some of your thoughts in the comments below.
Thank you!
My interview was over a year ago but I'll try to remember some things that I was asked. They'll ask about your relationship status, if you're in a relationship, be prepared to explain how that will or will not affect your service. They're trying to make sure they don't spend money training you only for you to miss your significant other and want to end your service early. They asked me to describe a time when I had to adapt my behavior or cultural norm to fit in with my surroundings. They'll ask about challenges you've had on your job and how you handled a situation that you know wasn't right or didn't agree with. They'll ask about the support from your family and friends. They'll ask about your tutoring experiences. Regardless of the specific questions asked, they want to know if you'll be able to handle being a minority and want to make sure you can adapt. They also want to know that you have professionalism and that you're independent and yet still a team player. Don't be afraid to use personal examples if you don't have an example from work, school, or volunteering. I didn't know about it at the time of my interview but check out the peace corps wiki, they have interview questions on there that I've seen other people swear by. My interview was very comfortable and my recruiter was very nice. They'll ask if you have a preference as to where you want to go. If you do, don't be afraid to tell them...just follow it by "but I'll go wherever I'm needed". That's what I did and I was nominated for the exact program and region that I wanted. I waited a little longer for my nomination but it worked out for the best. These journals have been extrememly helpful to me throughout this process and I've seen quite a few people who are earlier in the game than I am and can probably remember more detailed questions, I would visit their blogs and see what advice they offer in their postings. I wish you the best! Just remember, the interview is probably the easiest part of the process.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your feedback Jessica! I just found the wiki when I was looking for some potential projects, and the information they have on there is seriously comprehensive! It's so nerve-wracking to pin my future on this program that I (at this point) may or may not be accepted for... especially since I can't even make back-up plans (something I am notorious for).
ReplyDeleteYour advice about the regional preferences seems very sound, I was wondering how I could best put that. Everyone on these blogs has been very helpful and reassuring. Not to mention incredibly exhilarating! Hopefully when I am finally placed (knock on wood) I will be able to do the same for people behind me in the process. Especially those with pictures.
Hi Galen! I just had my interview last month so it's still pretty fresh in my mind. I definitely agree with everything Jessica said! Peace Corps Wiki is a GREAT resource. I would probably say that 95% of my questions were from there and most of those were practically verbatim.
ReplyDeleteYou'll do great, best of luck!
Jill