45+ Volunteer Interview Questions: Everything You Need to Ask

A volunteer interview is a critical part of recruiting and onboarding the right volunteers. However, lots of organizations often get stuck trying to figure out exactly what questions to ask and why.

In this blog, we’ll list several volunteer interview questions to ask, and what to look for in answers so you can ensure you’re bringing the right volunteers to your organization.

The Best Volunteer Interview Questions 

Motivation and Interest

• What motivated you to seek out volunteer opportunities with our organization?
• What do you hope to gain or learn from this volunteer experience?
• How does volunteering fit into your long-term goals?
• What aspects of our mission resonate with you the most?
• How did you hear about our organization and this volunteer opportunity?
• What impact do you hope to make through your volunteer work?
• Have you researched our organization? What interests you most about what we do?
• What causes are you passionate about?
• What interests you about the position you have applied for?
• What makes you feel appreciated? 

Skills and Experience

• What skills or experiences do you have that you think would be valuable in this role?
• Have you volunteered before? If so, what was that experience like?
• Can you tell me about a time you worked as part of a team? What role did you play?
• Do you have any specific qualifications or certifications relevant to this role?
• What unique strengths would you bring to our volunteer team?
• Can you describe a challenging situation you've faced in a previous role and how you handled it?
• How do you typically approach learning new skills or adapting to new environments?
• What is your greatest strength? How does it help you volunteer?
• What experience do you have working with [relevant groups]?

Availability and Commitment

• How much time can you dedicate each week/month/year to volunteering with our organization?
• What are your expectations for this volunteer position?
• Are you able to commit to a regular schedule, or do you prefer more flexible arrangements?
• How long do you envision yourself volunteering with our organization?
• Are you able to attend training sessions or orientations outside of regular volunteer hours?
• Do you have any upcoming commitments that might affect your availability?
• How do you balance your various responsibilities and ensure you can fulfill your commitments?
• Why do you want to do volunteer work?
• What is your ability to work on an as-needed basis?
• Are you able to work on short notice?

Collaboration

• Are you comfortable working with [specific population served by the nonprofit?
• How do you handle stressful or challenging situations?
• Can you describe your communication style when working in a team?
• How do you typically handle conflicts or disagreements with others?
• What strategies do you use to build positive relationships with diverse groups of people?
• How do you approach giving and receiving feedback?
• Can you share an example of a time when you had to be particularly patient or empathetic?
• Do you prefer to work independently or collaboratively?
• What role do you typically take in a group setting?

Organizational Fit

• What are your long-term goals, and how does volunteering fit into them?
• What type of work environment do you thrive in?
• How do you align with our organization's values and mission?
• What do you think are the most important qualities for a volunteer in our organization to have?
• How do you stay motivated when working on repetitive or routine tasks?
• Explain the type of work culture in which you best perform. 

Logistical Considerations

• Are you willing to undergo a background check if required?
• Are there any accommodations you might need to perform this volunteer role?
• Do you have reliable transportation to get to our volunteer location?
• Are you comfortable using technology or specific software that may be required for this role?
• Do you have any health considerations we should be aware of that might affect your volunteering?
• Are you able to lift a certain amount of weight or stand for extended periods if required by the role?
• Do you have any concerns about the physical or environmental aspects of the volunteer work?
• What barriers to volunteering do you anticipate? How can we help?

References and Follow-up

• Can you provide references from previous volunteer work or employment?
• Do you have any questions about our organization or the volunteer role?
• Is there anything else you'd like to share about yourself that we haven't covered?
• Are you interested in any specific projects or initiatives within our organization?
• How would you like to be contacted regarding your application?
• Are you open to taking on additional responsibilities or leadership roles in the future?
• What would you like to know about our current volunteers or staff?

Why are Volunteer Interviews Important?

While the primary goal of a volunteer interview is to determine whether your volunteers are right for the volunteer role, you can also take this opportunity to glean information from candidates that help inform your volunteer recruitment, engagement, and retention strategies. 

Asking the right volunteer interview questions can help you learn more about: 

• Volunteer motivation: A probing volunteer interview can reveal the volunteers' personal and professional aspirations, which helps align their goals with your organization's mission. 
  
  
• Volunteer recruitment: Incorporating detailed recruitment questions opens avenues for more effective outreach. It aligns messaging with volunteers' preferences, fostering a stronger, engaged community.
  
  
• Volunteer placement: Including detailed placement questions optimizes task assignments, enhancing volunteer satisfaction and organizational effectiveness.

How to Conduct a Volunteer Interview

When conducting a volunteer interview, be sure to follow a format like this one:

1. Introduce Yourself and The Cause

At the beginning of the conversation, start with a warm introduction, providing insights into who you are and your role. At this point, you’ll also want to introduce the volunteer to an overview of your organization and its mission.

Likewise, be sure to communicate to the potential volunteer that the interview is a conversation—meaning the candidate is welcome to share any and all experiences and ask questions.

2. Describe The Role and Ask Questions

The bulk of the interview involves a description of the role, how it fits into the mission, and expectations of the role. Plus, of course, your questions and the volunteer’s answers:

• Role: Describe the specific volunteer position and program and what it involves so candidates can get a clear picture of what the experience will entail. 
  
  
• Alignment: Be sure to emphasize how their role contributes to broader program goals and what impact they can have on day-to-day activities.
  
  
• Expectations: Outline what is generally expected of all volunteers regardless of the specific role they're applying for, including tools and technology you expect them to use (like a volunteer app), moral and ethical standards, protocols, etc.

Then, ask the volunteer your questions and give them time to elaborate and answer.

3. Thank the Volunteer and Follow Up

Once the volunteer is done answering questions, there are still a few more things to cover. 

When closing out the meeting, be sure to:

• Say thank you: At the end of the interview, thank the volunteer for taking the time to meet with you and answer questions.
  
  
• Encourage questions: Give the volunteer the floor to ask any questions about the organization or role.
  
  
• Follow-up: Before the volunteer leaves or the meeting concludes, be sure to note when they should expect to hear from your organization.
  
  
• Ask for feedback: As Nicole R. Smith, From the Suggestion Box, says, when people feel heard and that you actually care about their opinion, they’ll be more likely to stay connected to your organization (whether they end up volunteering or not). Plus, asking for feedback might just give you “some amazing ideas you’d never thought of,” she says. To do this, consider sending out a follow-up survey.
  
  
• Give them access to further resources: Direct your volunteer candidates to check out your website or social media so that they can learn more about your organization.

What to Look for in Volunteer Answers

Every volunteer and volunteer position is different, but regardless of the specific expectations of the role, the volunteer’s answers should reflect:

• Commitment to the cause: Look for answers that demonstrate a genuine passion for the organization's mission and goals. Volunteers who align with the nonprofit's values are more likely to be dedicated and motivated.
  
  
• Skills and experience: Look for relevant abilities, whether it's in communication, teamwork, leadership, or technical skills. And be sure to mine for more unique expertise that could be useful.
  
  
• Problem-solving and initiative: Look for answers that illustrate problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to taking initiative when needed.
  
  
• Flexibility: Look for candidates who seem adaptable. You might just need them to pivot at the last minute.
  
  
• Empathy: Volunteer work can require a lot of emotional presence, especially with nonprofits that work in direct service capacities, so bringing on volunteers with a clear sense of empathy is essential.
  
  
• Professionalism: Look for answers that indicate a commitment to ethical behavior, confidentiality (when relevant), and respect for diversity.
  
  
• Long-term engagement: Ideally, nonprofits seek volunteers who are interested in long-term engagement. Candidates who express a desire to make a sustained impact and grow with the organization are valuable assets.

Recruit, Engage, and Retain Your Best Volunteers

Interviewing volunteers is just the first step in the process of volunteer management. Once you’ve found the right volunteers,  you'll need to screen them, onboard them, give them access to the right information, and more.

With Get Connected, you can automatically track volunteer hours, send waivers, schedule volunteers, and even direct them to a volunteer mobile app.