Screening and Selection: Volunteer Interviews
Interview – a good interview is a two-way exchange. It is a chance for you to learn about the potential volunteer and for them to learn about your organization and the volunteer roles. Here are some tips on interviews:
- Learn about the potential volunteer personally and their “why” or motivation.
- Be clear about:
- Your expectations:
- roles and responsibilities (job description)
- time commitment – include the time needed in the actual role, but don’t forget about time for communication, gathering information for reporting, etc.
- Their expectations:
- Are they expecting to do what they will actually be doing?
- Be open to thinking about the person not just for the role they’ve applied for, but other opportunities as well.
 Feedback from the Field
Favourite interview questions
- “Can you describe how you see a tutor session (or other part of a volunteer role) going?”
- “What would need to happen for you to contact us to say you can no longer volunteer (as a …) with us?”
- “If the sky is the limit, what is it you really want to do when you are volunteering for us?”
- “What could we do to help you feel supported in your role?”
- “We really like to show how much we appreciate our volunteers and all that they contribute. What kind of recognition is most meaningful to you?”
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"Sometimes we speak with someone who our 'Spidey sense' told us they were not a good fit as a volunteer for us - so we referred them on to other volunteering opportunities." - CALP Practitiioner
For ideas about doing volunteer interviews check out these resources: