30+ Volunteer Interview Questions Every Organization Should Ask (With Example Answers)

For organizations, finding the right volunteers can mean the difference between building a thriving, engaged community and dealing with high turnover or mismatched roles. Volunteers, on the other hand, seek roles that are meaningful and rewarding. A well-structured interview process ensures both parties benefit – fostering engagement, retention, and long-term success.

Jump ahead to key sections of this article:

1. The importance of volunteer interviews
2. What organisations should look for in potential volunteers
3. How to conduct a volunteer interview
4. Interview questions and example responses
5. Common interview questions for different opportunities
6. Interview tips for volunteers

The importance of volunteer interviews

One of the most common challenges for volunteers is feeling underutilised in roles that don’t align with their skills or interests. At the same time, organizations often struggle with the two R’s: recruitment and retention. Conducting thoughtful volunteer interviews can address both problems at once.

By asking the right volunteer interview questions during recruitment, you can uncover a volunteer’s motivations, skills, and talents, ensuring they’re placed in roles that suit them and the needs of your organization. When volunteers feel valued and engaged, they’re more likely to stay committed, boosting your organization’s retention rate. Investing time in volunteer interviews ensures a rewarding experience for both the organization and the volunteer.

What to look for in a volunteer interview

Before diving into specific interview questions, it’s essential to understand the key attributes to look for in potential volunteers. While specific roles will have unique requirements, here are general traits and considerations that should guide your interview process:

1. Motivation: Why does the volunteer want to join your organization? Look for alignment between their motivations and your mission.
2. Skills and Experience: Does the volunteer possess relevant skills or experiences that will help them succeed in the role? Are they eager to learn new skills?
3. Availability: Is their availability compatible with the needs of your organization?
4. Commitment: How committed are they to the role? Do they understand the expectations and responsibilities involved?
5. Adaptability: Can they handle changes or challenges that may arise during their volunteering experience?
6. Interpersonal Skills: Are they a team player? How well will they interact with other volunteers, staff, and beneficiaries?
7. Values: Do their values align with the organization’s mission and goals?
8. Barriers: Are there any barriers (e.g., transport, physical restrictions) that may affect their ability to volunteer, and how can these be addressed?

By keeping these considerations in mind, you can tailor your questions to explore these areas further and ensure a good fit between the volunteer and the organization.

How do you conduct a volunteer interview?

1. Collect volunteer applications

Before conducting interviews, establish a streamlined way to collect volunteer applications.

Rosterfy’s volunteer management solution makes it simple to manage this process online. Create a registration form to gather basic personal information, availability, and skills. Share the form on your website or social media channels, so all volunteer data is centralized and accessible for screening. 

2. Conduct background checks

Using Rosterfy’s built-in integration, you can easily conduct background checks where necessary.

A volunteer background check is an important step for ensuring safety, especially if your organization works with children or vulnerable groups. Volunteers working with children may also need specific certifications, such as a working-with-children check. 

3. Schedule volunteer interviews

Invite qualified volunteers for interviews either in person or virtually. Ensure virtual interviewees have access to the necessary technology in advance. For efficiency, consider group interviews - but keep the group small (no more than five people) to allow everyone time to share their thoughts.

Rosterfy integrates with tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams to make scheduling and conducting online interviews seamless.

4. Conduct volunteer interviews

Volunteer interviews should feel like conversations, not interrogations. Begin by introducing yourself, explaining the role, and sharing how volunteers contribute to your organization’s mission. You could even invite a current volunteer to share their experiences. 

Allow volunteers to introduce themselves and provide some background. Then, ask questions that align with your interview goals - focusing on motivations, skills, and availability. Leave time at the end for the volunteer to ask their own questions.

Example volunteer interview questions and answers

Here are 10 excellent interview questions to ask volunteers, along with sample responses. To follow this structure in your next interview, download our volunteer interview template.

1. Why do you want to volunteer with our organization?

This question helps uncover a volunteer’s motivations, passions, and the values that align them with your organization.

Example Response: “I want to volunteer because I’m passionate about protecting the environment and believe reducing waste is a great starting point. I’m also looking forward to getting more involved with the local community and meeting like-minded people.”

2. What makes you a good fit for this position?

This allows volunteers to highlight skills or experiences they bring and explore opportunities for learning new skills.

Example Response: “I have experience in recycling and composting at home and would love to raise awareness in the community. I have spare time each week that I can commit to, and I’m happy to help out in a variety of areas. I also have professional management skills that might help with organizational needs.”

3. What do you know about our organization?

This gauges whether the volunteer has done some initial research into your organization and is genuinely interested in your mission.

Example Response: “I’ve followed your social media for a while and read an article recently about how you started and your call-out for more volunteers. Friends who volunteer here have shared great experiences, which inspired me to apply.”

4. What motivates you?

As volunteers won’t be receiving payment, it’s important to find out what their motivation is. Understanding this helps sustain their involvement and can also help shape your reward and recognition program.

Example Response: “I’m motivated by making a positive impact in my community and working with a team toward a shared goal. Helping others gives me energy and purpose, and I’m eager to make the community a better place for everyone.”

5. What do you hope to get out of the volunteering experience?

This question reveals what the volunteer is looking for, such as personal growth, skill-building, or community connection. This information can be used to place them in a suitable role.

Example Response: “I hope to contribute my problem-solving and teamwork skills to help grow the organization and deliver an even greater impact. I also hope to meet like-minded people and build connections with fellow team members.”

6. What is your greatest strength? How does it make you a better volunteer?

This question is a good opportunity to understand your volunteer a bit better, and highlights any leadership qualities or other strengths that can benefit your organization.

Example Response: “My greatest strength is my ability to motivate and guide others. In my previous volunteer role, I led a small team to organize a community clean-up, delegating tasks and ensuring everything ran smoothly. This experience taught me how to balance collaboration and decision-making, which I believe will help me contribute effectively to your team.”

7. How much time can you dedicate each week/month/year to volunteering with our organization?

This is an essential question for planning rosters and helps align expectations with the volunteer’s availability.

Tip for Volunteers: Be honest about your availability. If it’s just a few hours a month, let the organization know to avoid overcommitting.

8. Do you have any barriers to volunteering that we can help you with?

This question demonstrates your commitment to inclusivity, and ensures no one is excluded from volunteering opportunities due to logistical challenges or barriers.

Tip for Volunteers: Share concerns openly, like transportation or schedule limitations. Many organizations will work with you to find solutions. E.g. If you don’t have transport, there may be another volunteer who lives nearby who could give you a lift, or if you have to finish early to pick up children, this is your chance to talk about that.

9. Are there any physical restrictions you may have? If so, how can we help?

This question shows volunteers that you are committed to supporting them. It helps ensure volunteers are placed in roles that suit their abilities and creates an inclusive environment.

Tip for Volunteers: Be upfront about limitations like difficulty with heavy lifting, standing for long periods of time, or trouble hearing so the organization can accommodate your needs.

10. Do you have any questions?

Giving volunteers an opportunity to ask questions is an important part of the interviewing process. This allows the volunteer to engage and clarify expectations.

Great Questions to Ask:

What sort of roles do you see me in?
Are there social events for volunteers?
Do you offer training opportunities?

What questions will I be asked at a volunteer interview?

Volunteer interview questions can vary based on the role and setting. Here are some common questions tailored to specific volunteer opportunities:

Common hospital volunteer interview questions

• Why do you want to volunteer in a hospital?
• How comfortable are you with sitting with sick patients?
• What experience do you have in a hospital or medical setting?
• What would you do if faced with an unhappy patient?
• What would you do if a patient shared private information with you?
• Describe a time you made someone smile.

Common youth volunteers interview questions

• Why do you want to volunteer?
• Are there any specific skills or learning outcomes you hope to get out of the experience?
• How often are you available?
• Do you have any other commitments?
• Describe a time you went out of your way to help someone.

Common animal and outdoor volunteer interview questions

• What is your physical fitness level?
• Are you comfortable dealing with messy situations like cleaning cages?
• Why are you interested in working with animals?
• What experience do you have with animals?
• Describe a time you felt really connected to nature.

Common police volunteer interview questions

• What do you like most about police volunteer work?
• How does your work experience relate to the role of a police officer?
• Tell me about a time you had to make a tough decision
• Do you have any personal connection with the police?
• How would you stay motivated on long shifts?

Common sporting federation volunteer interview questions

• Why do you want to volunteer with our sporting federation? 
• What experience do you have in organising or managing sporting events? 
• Are you familiar with the rules and regulations of our sport? 
• What strategies would you use to promote inclusivity in sports? 
• Describe a time you successfully managed a high-pressure situation.

Interview tips for volunteers

Interviews can feel nerve-racking, but preparation is key to building confidence and staying in control. Follow these tips to prepare for your volunteer interview: 

• Research the organization’s culture, mission, and values.
• Prepare an introduction about yourself and key points you want to share.
• Draft questions to ask the interviewer.
• Test your tech equipment for virtual interviews and find a quiet space with good lighting.
• Plan your route and allow extra time for in-person interviews.
• Dress smartly, be on time, and remain courteous.
  
  

Conclusion

Volunteer interviews are crucial for building a successful volunteer management program. By identifying the right candidates and aligning their skills with your organization’s needs, you can improve retention rates and achieve greater impact. 

To learn more on this topic, check out our article on the top 10 qualities to look for when recruiting.

How Rosterfy can help

Rosterfy’s software is designed to support every stage of the volunteer management process, from recruitment to retention. With features to streamline onboarding, automate training, and manage rostering and communication, you can handle operations with ease.

Volunteers can take control of their experience through a personalized portal where they can manage their details, upload documents, and apply for shifts. Tailored communication and recognition programs help keep volunteers motivated and engaged throughout their journey.

Ready to enhance your program with a volunteer management solution? Book a demo with Rosterfy today to learn more.