Peace Corps Interview

spacerobot

Hey everyone, I have an interview for the Peace Corps coming up on Thursday (as in two days from now). I'm kind of nervous just because. I'm trying to prepare myself by looking up tips on a Peace Corps Interview, but I haven't been able to find much.

I was wondering if there were any Peace Corps volunteers here who can give me some pointers/what to expect.

I know exactly why I want to go into the Peace Corps and I feel I can answer it fairly well (since people ask me that occasionally). I don't always speak very eloquently when I have no clue what I'm going to be asked about. I want to be prepared!

Thanks everyone!

Theungry

I don't know specifically about Peace Corps interviews, but my general advice is to go into the interview knowing as much about how the peace corps operates, what the experience is like, and what specifically appeals to you as possible. In most interviews people are looking for 2 main elements: can you do the work, and are you a fit for the mission/profile of the organization. Whatever the specifics questions are, thats what you should be thinking about.

Specularity

I was looking into the Peace Corps for a while recently (alas, I can't travel with my pets), and the biggest thing they emphasized, to me, was flexibility, particularly in regards to location (in the beginning). Of course they'll try and accommodate you (say you speak French and would prefer to be placed in Francophone Africa) but the best volunteer they can get is one who will go where they're needed. Also, that flexibility really ties in to the experiences you'll have. Perhaps you won't have water for a few weeks after you get there, or the blackboard might not have any chalk (true story). I think showing that you are able and willing to adapt to whatever life throws at you will be the biggest thing for them!

Shmoepong

I did Peace Corps in Kyrgyzstan from 2002 to 2004. I remember the interview process being semi-formal and my recruiter wanted to impress the importance of adapting. From a Peace Corps perspective, the biggest hurdle for a volunteer is culture shock and integrating yourself into a community. Otherwise, they won't turn you away unless you have serious medical issues or have a history of felonies. (There was a dood in my group who was 80 and a woman who was 64 going on her second tour. That's hardcore transitioning to a third world country.)

Go in and be yourself. Ask questions about your recruiters experience. And above all, treat the interview as though you've already been accepted and now you're making friends.

JustPlainPavek

The anecdotal impression I have gathered from my one friend who is doing Peace Corps — so take this for what it's worth — is that the whole Peace Corps application process is long and drawn out primarily to make sure that you are in fact seriously committed to doing this, since they don't want to ship you out into the middle of nowhere, Africa, and then have you suddenly decide that the whole lack of running water thing isn't really for you after all. Stick with it, and they will eventually put you somewhere.

Shmoepong

I think it's long and drawn out because it's the friggin' federal government. I had to jump over a series of medical hurdles before being officially accepted. Luckily it only took me three months from applying to being in-country. From what I know, that's fast.

If it were up to Peace Corps, they'd get you drunk and have you in Tanzania the next day.

spacerobot

ok, I'm back from my interview now. It was much more casual than I expected it to be! The woman who interviewed me had a list of questions (the part that was the interview) that she "had to ask me." It sounded like she didn't like that method of interview but had to do it anyway. She was very nice throughout the process, even some of the questions that seemed redundant. I think everyones advice helped a lot, especially the part about going in to make friends, which is exactly what it seemed like.

So it went well, and It looks like I got a nomination to go to the Caribbean in January 2009 to work on Youth Development. woohoo!

Shmoepong

Congrats! The Caribbean should be a lot of fun. And you'll have the luxury of the states being a short flight away if you become homesick or want friends to visit. Enjoy your time!