Well Counselor

By: Olivia Bentley, PhD, LPCC-S

Congratulations, you got a job interview! Now what? Now, you prepare as much possible so that you feel confident going into the interview. If you landed the job interview, it is likely you are qualified on paper. Your interview is still important because it gives a more well-rounded impression of who you are and how you present to clients and colleagues. Counseling is, after all, an interpersonal profession. The way you present yourself in new situations is important. 

At this point in my career, I have been to many job interviews. These interviews have looked very different but share some commonalities. Some have been very relaxed and felt more like “get to know you” conversations, while others were much more formal. One of the more formal interview experiences I’ve had involved a panel of clinicians asking me questions and writing down my responses, giving me no eye contact or encouraging nonverbals (Definitely a little unnerving). 

My key takeaway from these many interview experiences is to over-prepare. You should feel confident as you walk into your interview, especially if it ends up feeling like an oral exam. I’d like to share 5 typical questions that you can expect when interviewing for a counseling job. 

1. What is your theoretical orientation?

You will very likely be asked this one, so definitely have a response prepared. If you are still trying to solidify your theoretical orientation, that’s fine- but you should have a way of communicating your general approach to working with clients, and any theories that guide you.

2. How have you handled conflict with a client?

Every interview I have ever had included a question about how I handled conflict, so expect some form of this question. They could ask about conflict with a client or a coworker. Choose an example that you feel comfortable talking about, and where you felt good of the outcome. This is a time to show your strengths, so keep that in mind as you choose what to share. Be careful to keep your description general enough so that no identifying client information is shared. 

3. How would you define <insert important clinical concept>?

Consider concepts important to understanding the client population you would be serving and be prepared to explain and apply them during your interview. For example, when I interviewed at a substance use treatment program, I was asked about the disease concept of addiction. This is a key concept in the addictions field and it was important that I knew what it was and how it applied to the work that I would be doing. 

4. What are the recommended treatment interventions or approaches for use in our client population?

Consider concepts important to understanding the client population you would be serving and be prepared to explain and apply them during your interview. In your response, be sure to mention if you have that clinical experience. Use this moment to highlight your strengths as a clinician. A question about this could look like- “Do you have any special clinical skills that you could use with our clients?” Or- “What intervention or approach would you use in xyz scenario.” 

5. How would you approach the following case example?

You may be given a specific case example and asked how you would proceed. You can’t prepare for every example they may throw out at you. But you can do your own research on the organization and the client population they serve. Look on their website and social media. Read their mission statement. Do a quick google search so you know their presence in the community. This will help you prepare for many of the questions you may ask. Remember to be yourself and use your clinical judgment when describing how you would approach the case example. Don’t just tell them what you think they want to hear.

Note: This list is not exhaustive, and you certainly may be asked additional questions. These are standard questions that I have been asked when interviewing for multiple positions in the mental health field. 

How to Prepare Your Responses

I recommend that you prepare and practice responses ahead of the interview so that you have an idea of what you will say. You don’t need to memorize responses verbatim but thinking through your responses can help ensure that you are prepared to answer them in the actual interview. Consider practicing in front of a mirror, recording your responses and watching the video, or doing a mock interview with a friend. This can be helpful whether you are interviewing for your first job out of graduate school, or you are an experienced clinician considering a transition. It’s always good to do a dry run.

Final Thoughts

My final message to you on this topic is to be kind to yourself, especially if you don’t feel you did your best in the interview or you think you did great, but didn’t get the job. Interviewing is a skill and, just like in your counseling skills courses, you will get better with practice. Try not to be too hard on yourself. Learn from what you feel didn’t go well and apply that lesson to your next interview. Like I mentioned in my previous blog on how to find a job at a mental health organization, your work as a counselor is meaningful and you will find the perfect position to carry out this work. It may just take some patience and a bit of practice. 

For more on how to clarify your counseling career goals, read Choosing Your First Counseling Job.