Be Ready for these Questions

Whether you are interviewing for a residency, or for your first vocational ministry role there are critical questions that you will be asked.  We hear a some over and over.

After the character/walk with Christ questions, there are a few that seem to make the top of the list. If you are thinking about taking your next step in ministry this year, ask yourself these. What are your answers? Does your resume, the stories you tell, and your current supervisor see your track record similarly? More importantly than this, are your daily actions creating the types of stories that you'll be able to tell soon?

THE TOP TWO:

// What have you built/started?

// What have you led?

NOW FOR THE REST OF THEM:

// What was the shape of the ministry you inherited and how did you leave it? An answer that shows movement or growth is best here. Even on a very small scale.

// How quickly do you move forward? And what would your boss say? They are wondering if you have hustle/drive.

// Tell us about a time you were proven wrong. They are trying to find out how coachable/teachable you are.

// What do you know about you? Do you have a grasp of some of those personality tests you’ve taken? Speaking about yourself in light of tools like the Enneagram, DISC, Strength Finders, or Thinking Genius can be great especially if you know what those test results actually mean.

// How have you seen people follow you? Do you know you’re a leader? How do you know?

// What do you do for fun? Perhaps they not only are getting to know you more but they are listening for clues that people want to hang out with you. Use every answer to help position yourself.
One answer: “I love reading and video games.”
A better answer: “Even tho I’m technically an introvert I look for ways to include others who want to be around when even I’m just reading a good book or playing a video game.”

// Tell us about a time you engaged in conflict? Tell us about a time you avoided conflict? What happened and were you able to resolve these situations?

// Tell us about something you’ve had to think through and figure out strategically? How did it go and what did you do?

The end of a calendar year is a great time to get a truth-telling friend or co-worker and do some self-evaluation. Even if you are staying put this year, a few hours of thinking through this list might be good for your own development.