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Volunteering Queensland Information Sheet
INTERVIEWING: A CONVERSATIONAL APPROACH - 1
 
An interview should feel like a conversation, while still addressing thenecessary issues and information. It isnot an interrogation but rather astructured two way discussion.
There are four stages to an interview: welcoming, asking, informing,and parting.
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The first step of the interview is to ensure the potential volunteer feelscomfortable and to build rapport.
 
Simple ways to help put potential volunteersat ease include:
Select a comfortable and suitable environment free frominterruptions
Be friendly
Ask some general questions to show your interest
Explain the format of the interview
Encourage the potential volunteer to ask questions throughout theconversation
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The second step of the interview is to gain information from the potentialvolunteer and give them the chance to tell their story, and outline theirinterests. Traditional interviews tend to focus on skills, knowledge,and abilitiesthrough a series of questions about work experience and work style.Asking questions prior to providing information is a useful way to keep theinterview broad and focused on the individual. There is a danger to providinginformation first because the potential volunteer responds only to what hasalready been said, rather than drawing from their own experiences
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During this step the interviewer provides the volunteer with information aboutthe organisation and volunteer roles. This may include:
Philosophy of the volunteer program
Information about services, programs, activities, events orprojects
Expectations of volunteers
Types of volunteers roles available
What the organisation offers to its volunteers e.g. workexperience, references, opportunity to develop friendships, skillsdevelopment
Training and development opportunities
Information about the relationship between paid and volunteerstaffEncouraging the potential volunteer to ask questions about any aspect of thevolunteers program or the work will help ensure the volunteer receives all theinformation necessary to make their decision of whether to join theorganisation.
Why Use this Resource?
Interviewing potential volunteersfunctions most effectively if theapplicants feel relaxed and engagedin the interview process. Apply theconcepts included here to yourinterviewing technique to make themost of the interviewing opportunity.
[Links to National Standards forInvolving Volunteers – No. 3.Recruitment, Selection andOrientation]
 
www.volqld.org.au
 
Volunteering Queensland Information Sheet
INTERVIEWING: A CONVERSATIONAL APPROACH - 2
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The final stage of the interview is to ensure that both the potential volunteerand the organisation have had the opportunity to gather information andaddress any questions.At this time summarise any decisions that have been reached and inform thepotential volunteer of what will happen next, for example a reference check orsetting an orientation date. The end of the interview also provides anopportunity to thank the potential volunteer for their time.
Potential Questions for Volunteer Interviews
What is your reason or motivation for wanting to volunteer?
Why are you interested in volunteering?What attracted you to this Volunteer Program?What attracted you to our organisation?How did you find out about our organisation?How did you find out about volunteer opportunities with our organisation?What do you know about our organisation?How did you find out about opportunities within this Volunteer Program?What type of volunteer experience have you had?Understanding the reasons why people want to volunteer is useful in identifyingand maintaining volunteers’ motivation and making an appropriate work match.
What are the things you like to do and can do fairly well?
How could you contribute to the Volunteer Program?How could you contribute to the organisation?What do you have to offer the Volunteer Program?Describe your involvement in previous types of work.What skills and experience could you bring to the Volunteer Program?
What types of volunteer experience have you had?
Here you try to explore the current skills, knowledge, interests and potential ofthe volunteer.
What are the things you would like to do or have an interest in learning?What types of things do you enjoy doing most?
What qualifications or specific skills do you have an interest in obtaining?If you were successful in gaining a volunteer position with us, what would youlike to do?How could you contribute most effectively to assist the Volunteer Programachieve its mission?
 
Too often interviewers only focus on current skills and abilities, withoutrealising the enthusiasm and commitment of volunteers to learn new skills andabilities. Questions such as these are critical if you wish to focus on capacityand potential.
www.volqld.org.au
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