Making it all the way to an interview is an exciting, if daunting, step in the summer camp application process. The interview is often the ultimate make-it or break-it step when it comes to getting the job offer, so it’s important to do everything you can in order to be prepared, make a great impression, and cast aside any remaining doubts the hiring coordinator may have about your qualifications or fit.
In any interview you find yourself a part of, a general best practice is to have questions prepared for the interviewer. Having your own set of questions ready can showcase your interest in the camp while also highlighting yourself as someone who is responsible and organized. We’ve compiled a couple of excellent questions to ask during your next camp job interview.
If you’re looking for additional advice on getting your camp application noticed, we’ve shared 5 of our top tips to get hired here.
1) “Are there any projects I can contribute to right away/after the summer?”
A lot of work goes into making summer camps run successfully, and most of that work happens in the months leading up to and directly following the main season. Expressing interest in learning about the ways you might be able to help shows that you are knowledgeable about how camps operate, are a problem-solver, and are willing to take initiative. Additionally, many camps place a high value on applicants who have the potential to return for multiple summers. If you have the capacity to help in the off-season, your investment in the camp will definitely help you to stand out from the crowd.
Of course, be sure that you only make this offer if you have the capacity to take on something new! If you don’t have the time to take on any extra projects, it’s okay to simply express your curiosity for how the camp prepares for summer, so you could instead ask something like: “What is the size of your year-round team?” or “How are decisions made about the upcoming summer?” or “What kinds of projects are you still hoping to finish before summer starts?”.
2) “What else do you think I need to know to be prepared to have a successful summer?”
At this point, you should have thoroughly scoured whatever information is available on the camp’s website, but no amount of pre-camp ‘homework’ can truly prepare you for the summer ahead. The interview is your chance to talk with someone who knows what the day-to-day of this camp actually looks like. Asking a question like this shows your interviewer that you are excited, prepared, and that you want to do a good job. Similarly, you could ask something along the lines of: “Is there anything that tends to surprise most people about the work/summer/campers?” Your genuine curiosity will help your interviewer to remember you fondly, and you will have gained some valuable insight on how to best prepare for the summer ahead.
3) “How has the camp changed since your first summer?”
Your interview could offer you some great insight into a camp’s ability, or reluctance, to grow and change. You may know that you thrive in an environment that embraces process development, or maybe you long to work somewhere that places a high value on tradition. Either way, this question will help you determine if this is the right camp for you, and it will also show the hiring manager that you have an interest in the direction and growth of the camp.
4) “What has made working at this camp different from anywhere else you’ve worked?”
Getting some insight about the camp through the voice of someone who works there is often far more enlightening than whatever you may find on their website. Asking a question like this will hopefully excite the interviewer, but if it doesn’t, that may be a pretty telling sign. In our experience, long-time camp employees tend to be full of stories that they’re all too happy to share. Remember, your goal is the same as the interviewer’s – you are both confirming that this is a good match. With a question like this, you should be able to get an idea about why employees have loved working at this particular camp.
5) “Is there anything else you need to know in order to feel confident about my fit for this role?”
A question like this allows you to address any concerns that may be lingering for your interviewer while showcasing your willingness to be vulnerable and accept feedback.
Similarly, you could ask: “Do you have any concerns regarding my being a fit for this role?”, or “Is there anything else I can provide you with that would be helpful?”
Ending an interview in this way should help to give you and the interviewer a clear picture of whether or not the role is a good fit.
We hope you found some inspiration from this list, but don’t forget to also ask any other questions you need answered in order to decide if the position is a good fit for you. When it comes to finding the right summer camp job, It’s not just about winning someone over, it’s about making sure that both you and the camp have found an excellent fit.
Want to know more? Our Summer Camp experts are ready to answer any of your questions to help you find the perfect camp job. Get in touch today!
