Social & Human Service Assistant Interview Questions & Answers

Social and human service assistants provide client services in various fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work.

Interviewers look for candidates that demonstrate excellent skills such as:

• Problem-solving skills
• Communication skills
• Compassion
• Time-management skills
• Organizational skills
• Interpersonal skills

In this blog, we discuss commonly asked interview questions during job interviews for social and human service assistant 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:

Social and human service assistants talk with clients about the challenges in their lives and assist them in getting help. These workers must be able to listen to their clients and to communicate the clients’ needs to organizations that can help them.

Learn more about communication interview questions and how to answer them!

Compassion

Why interviewers are interested in your compassion:

Social and human service assistants often work with people who are in stressful and difficult situations. To develop strong relationships, they must have compassion and empathy for their clients.

Interpersonal skills

Why interviewers are interested in your interpersonal skills:

Social and human service assistants must make their clients feel comfortable discussing sensitive issues. Assistants also build relationships with other service providers to become familiar with all of the resources that are available in their communities.

Related: What Does a Patient Liaison Do?

Organizational skills

Why interviewers are interested in your organizational skills:

Social and human service assistants must often complete lots of paperwork and work with many different clients. They must be organized in order to ensure that the paperwork is filed properly and that clients are getting the help they need.

Learn more about organizational interview questions and how to answer them!

Problem-solving skills

Why interviewers are interested in your problem-solving skills:

Social and human service assistants help clients find solutions to their problems. They must be able to listen carefully to their clients’ needs and offer practical solutions.

Learn more about problem-solving interview questions and how to answer them!

Time-management skills

Why interviewers are interested in your time-management skills:

Social and human service assistants often work with many clients. They must manage their time effectively to ensure that their clients are getting the attention they need.

Learn more about time-management interview questions and how to answer them!

(source: bls.gov)

Social and Human Service Assistant 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 Social and Human Service Assistant 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 Social and Human Service Assistant Behavioral Interview Questions

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

1. What is your biggest accomplishment as a social service assistant (or human service assistant)?
2. Give me an example of a time you had to work under pressure. How did you handle the stress and deal with the situation?
3. Give me an example of how you show compassion and empathy for your clients to gain their trust.
4. How do you manage your time effectively to ensure that all your clients get the attention they need?
5. How do you build strong relationships with your clients? Explain to me how you win their trust and encourage them.
6. What training and development could help you become a better social service assistant (or human service assistant)?
7. Walk me through the process of discussing the challenges with your clients and subsequently assisting them in getting the right help.
8. What have you done recently to improve your professional and personal development?
9. Tell me about the types of clients that you find challenging to work with.
10. Give me an example of a method that you find useful for crisis intervention of a client.
11. Can you explain how differences in the cultural background of clients affect your work?

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

Related: What Does a Patient Safety Attendant Do?