Interview Tips Email from a Peace Corps Recruiter

Thanks for reaching out!  I’ve included below some helpful info below to prepare for the interview.  Your students can email me if they have questions.  

Article: 4 Tips to Answer Behavior Based Questions – Your Peace Corps Interview

Webinar recording: Application Workshop: Acing the Interview – Zoom (zoomgov.com)

The interviews typically last between 60 – 90 minutes and will take place over Skype or Zoom. The Placement Officer will ask questions to ensure candidates are the best fit for the country they’re under consideration.  It’s in the candidates’ best interest to do research about the country ahead of time. They should also do more research by reading blogs, watching YouTube, and connecting with Peace Corps Volunteers from that country. They should also familiarize themselves with the core expectations for Peace Corps Volunteers.

The Placement Officer will ask candidates to discuss experiences that relate to several different topics. I recommend trying to come up with at least one long term experience that lasted at least 3 – 4 months for each of the topics if you can. For example, if asked to speak about living or working with people from another culture, take time ahead of time to create a well-structured story clearly illustrating your ability to work with others from another culture. 

Candidates are rated on intercultural competency, resilience, tolerance of ambiguity, perseverance, skill or knowledge, and teamwork. Emotional maturity will also be very important to convey during the interview. Be mindful of background and clarity of speech. Also, you should dress professionally – even though the interview takes place through a webcam, you should treat it as if it’s a normal in person interview.

Lastly, using the STAR method in answering questions during the interview is a very effective approach. 

Best,

Erica

Erica Ward

(she, her, hers … what’s this?)

Regional Recruiter, Office of Recruitment and Diversity 

Louisville, KY (Kentucky and southern West Virginia)

RPCV Malawi (2010-12) and Ethiopia (2018-20)

“Ward, Erica” eward@peacecorps.gov

502.202.4832