Rehabilitation Counselor Interview Questions & Answers

Rehabilitation counselors help people with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities live independently.

Interviewers look for candidates that demonstrate excellent skills such as:

• Critical-thinking skills
• Communication skills
• Patience
• Compassion
• Interpersonal skills
• Listening skills

In this blog, we discuss commonly asked interview questions during job interviews for rehabilitation counselor positions. We also discuss the qualities that interviewers look for in successful candidates. In other words, we’re here to help you out!

Also, read more about frequently asked job interview questions here and check our job interview preparation checklist.

Skills Interviewers Look For In Successful Candidates

Below we discuss the skills you can highlight in your answers to demonstrate that you’re qualified for the job.

Communication skills

Why interviewers are interested in your communication skills:

Rehabilitation counselors need to be able to communicate effectively with clients. They must express ideas and information in a way that is easy to understand.

Related: Rehabilitation Assistant Cover Letter Examples & Writing Guide

Compassion

Why interviewers are interested in your compassion:

Rehabilitation counselors often work with people who are dealing with stressful and difficult situations. They must be compassionate and empathize with their clients.

Related: What Does a Qualified Mental Health Professional Do?

Critical-thinking skills

Why interviewers are interested in your critical-thinking skills:

Rehabilitation counselors must be able to develop a treatment plan to help clients reach their goals by considering each client’s abilities and interests.

Interpersonal skills

Why interviewers are interested in your interpersonal skills:

Rehabilitation counselors must be able to work with different types of people. They spend most of their time working directly with clients, families, employers, or other professionals. They must be able to develop and maintain good working relationships.

Related: Addiction Counselor Interview Questions & Answers

Listening skills

Why interviewers are interested in your listening skills:

Good listening skills are essential for rehabilitation counselors. They need to give their full attention in sessions in order to understand clients’ problems, concerns, and values.

Patience

Why interviewers are interested in your level of patience:

Rehabilitation counselors must have the patience to help clients learn new skills and strategies to address their disabilities.

(source: bls.gov)

Rehabilitation Counselor Job Interview Questions & Answers

During a job interview, the hiring manager wants to discuss several things. Think of your:

• Employment history
• Skills and abilities
• Accomplishments
• Job qualifications
• Educational background
• Career goals
• Personality

Below you find a list of commonly asked interview questions.

Examples Of General Rehabilitation Counselor Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. How would you describe yourself?
3. Why do you want to work here?
4. What interests you about this position?
5. Walk me through your resume.
6. What motivates you?
7. Why are you leaving your current job?
8. Describe your work ethic.
9. What is your greatest strength?
10. How does your experience qualify you for this job?
11. What is your greatest weakness?
12. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
13. Tell me about a challenging work situation and how you overcame it.
14. What are your expectations for this position?
15. What are your career goals?
16. Why should we hire you?
17. What did you like most about your last position?
18. What did you like least about your last position?
19. How do you handle stress?
20. What is your greatest accomplishment?

Learn how to answer these common job interview questions!

Examples Of Specific Rehabilitation Counselor Behavioral Interview Questions

Learn more about answering behavioral interview questions by using the STAR interview technique.

1. Walk me through your process when you meet a client for the first time. Where do you start?
2. What would you do if a client struggles to find the motivation to take steps in the right direction?
3. Give me some examples of how you have successfully helped clients in the past. What was your approach?
4. How do you ensure that communicate effectively with different kinds of people?
5. What do you consider your biggest accomplishment as a rehabilitation counselor?
6. What makes you stand out as a rehabilitation counselor? Can you give me an example?
7. How do you ensure that communicate effectively with different kinds of people?
8. Give me an example of a time your patience was tested.
9. Tell me about a time you had to work under stressful conditions. How did you handle it?
10. What has been the most difficult client you had to work with? How did you approach the situation and what results did you get?
11. Tell me about the steps you would take if your client progresses slower than you expected.
12. Which electronic health record systems are you familiar with?
13. Tell me how you plan, organize, and prioritize your workday.

Learn more about questions to ask the interviewer during your job interview.