VOLUNTEER IN-PERSON INTERVIEW (CB)
Volunteer’s Name: Click here to enter text.
Date of Interview: Click here to enter text.
Interviewer’s Name: Click here to enter text.
Prior to interview, review the entire client file, including communication log, application, references completed, etc. Check if follow up is needed on any of these areas during the interview:
☐ Application Form
☐ Pre-interview Questionnaire
☐ Background check/criminal history
☐ Communication with CR/EM
☐ Other
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Before starting the interview, talk to the potential volunteer about the interview purpose and process, including flow and areas of content. In that explanation, acknowledge that some of the questions are personal in nature and sometimes difficult to answer. Stress that child safety and well-being is our number one priority at BBBS. Be sure to share expectations, including BBBS policy and applicable state law, around mandatory reporting of child abuse and maltreatment of any child if disclosed by information given by the volunteer at any time in the interview.
Here is a sample script:
“Thank you for your interest in Big Brothers Big Sisters and for taking the time today to come in for an interview. The purpose of today is for me to get to know you well enough to a) make a decision on whether or not this is an appropriate volunteer experience for you at this time in your life and b) understand what type of parent and child you would be best matched with if accepted into the program. In my time with you, I’m going to ask you a lot of questions, including questions about your personality and interests, work, family, and experience with children. I am also going to ask you some questions that will feel personal by nature, around topics such as relationships with significant others, personal and criminal history, and personal well-being. Some questions may be difficult to answer initially but just take your time and answer as best you can. I am going to write as we talk, just to be sure I don’t forget anything you have shared with me once our time together is over. I also want to let you know that while your file is confidential and will not be viewed by a Little or their parent, we will share information about you with the parent, and vice versa, to allow them to make a decision on if they are comfortable moving forward with a potential match. Also, if you share any information that discloses child abuse or maltreatment of any child, please understand that I will have to report that based on mandatory reporting laws and Big Brother Big Sisters policy. [Share specific state and agency reporting expectations]. Do you have any questions for me before we get started?”
Question Group 1 – Motivation:
1. How did you hear about Big Brothers Big Sisters?
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2. Why do you want to be Big?
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3. What interests you about working with children?
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4. Do you know anyone else involved in the program? What have they shared with you about the program or their match?
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Question Group 2 – Occupational Information:
I see that you work with Click here to enter text..
1. What do you do for them? How long have you worked there? (If a short time, ask about past jobs.) Click here to enter text.
2. Have you always been in this line of work? (Follow up, as appropriate.)
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3. What is your work schedule?
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4. What do you currently find most rewarding in your job there?
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5. Do you anticipate any changes in your employment or work schedule in the next year or two?
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6. Do you have any military experience (including Reserves, National Guard, ROTC, etc.)?
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a. When did you serve? Dates of service? Currently active?
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b. Please describe your positions held and job duties.
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c. Where have you been stationed?
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d. Have you ever been deployed? Where and when?
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e. Are you currently deployable?
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f. May we contact your current and/or past supervisor? If no, why not?
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g. If applicable, why did you leave the service?
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h. What was your discharge status?
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7. Have you attended college or trade school (where, what degree, etc.)? Are you currently in school or taking classes? Any plans to go back to school?
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[If volunteer is not currently employed, ask about his/her profession, why s/he left most recent employment, what his/her employment plans are (actively looking? In the area only?), then questions 6-7 above]
[If volunteer is a student, ask about course of study, year(s) completed and year(s) remaining, then questions 3-6 above.]
8. Are you a member of any professional organizations (e.g., Bar Association, Rotary, etc.)?
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Question Group 3 – Relationships with Friends:
1. Whom do you spend most of your free time with? Who makes up your current circle of friends?
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2. How long have you had these friendships? How often do you see/talk to them?
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3. What do you and your friends like to do together?
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4. What qualities do you look for in a friend?
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5. What personality traits or qualities in a person make it difficult for you to be around them?
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6. How would your friends describe you?
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7. Tell me about a time you disagreed or had a recent conflict with someone and what you did to resolve the issue?
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- If you rarely disagree, how do you manage to lead a conflict-free life?
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8. How do you like others to provide feedback or address conflict with you?
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Question Group 4 – Family Relationships:
1. Where were you raised? If not from area, how long have you been in the area and what brought you here?
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a. Where else have you lived? (Review any questions you might have about the residential history)
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2. Who did you grow up with in your household? How would you describe your relationships with family members growing up?
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a. Who served as the disciplinarian when you were a child? How were you disciplined? How did you feel about that?
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b. How did your family show affection? How did/do you show affection to your family?
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3. Tell me about a few experiences or life situations that you believe have made you who you are today. Click here to enter text.
4. Tell me about your current relationship with family members? Where do they live and when do you get to see them or talk to them?
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We’re going to talk more about your close relationships – we’ve talked about friends, we’ve talked about your family growing up, and now I’m going to ask you about relationships with significant others. Please note that BBBS does not discriminate based upon race, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, etc., NONE of these things will disqualify the volunteer, but may be shared with the parent.
5. How do you identify in terms of sexual orientation?
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6. Are you presently or have you been previously married or in a committed partnership? (How long? Spouse support of program?)
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a. If not married, are you currently in a relationship? How long?
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b. If you are not currently married or in a relationship, describe your dating history.
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7. How would your significant other describe you?
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8. How would your spouse or significant other be involved in your match?
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9. What is your significant other’s view towards you volunteering with BBBS?
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a. We will speak to your significant other as a reference in your enrollment process. What do you think he/she will tell us?
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10. Tell me about two significant adult romantic relationships you have had in the past?
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a. If no previous relationships: Why do you think you haven’t been in significant relationships in the past?
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b. If not in a relationship now: Can we contact a past significant other for a reference? If not, why not?
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11. Do you have any children? (Age, gender)
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a. Describe your relationship with your child(ren).
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b. What do you like to do with your child(ren)?
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c. How will your children feel about you spending one-on-one time with another child?
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d. What is your approach to discipline with your own child(ren)?
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Question Group 5 – Close Relationships:
1. We just spoke of family, friends, and significant others. Of all the people in your life, who is/are the most significant or influential person/people in your life right now?
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a. In what ways do you feel they have played a significant role in your life?
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b. What have you told them about potentially being a Big Brother/Sister?
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c. How have they responded, if at all, to you wanting to be a Big Brother or Big Sister?
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Question Group 6 – Home Assessment:
1. Many volunteers end up spending time with their Littles in their homes. Do you plan on spending time with a Little at your home?
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2. What are some of the things you can imagine doing with your Little at your home? What are some things you have in your home that a Little would enjoy?
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3. Can you generally describe your home environment to me? Your neighborhood?
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4. How long have you lived there?
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5. Do you plan on moving in the next year or two?
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6. Who else lives with you and what is their relationship to you?
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a. How would your roommates/family feel about you bringing a child back to the home?
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7. Who else do you anticipate your Little would meet if visiting your home? Neighbors?
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8. Is there anyone that you live with or around that you would feel uncomfortable allowing a child to spend time with or that would pose a potential safety risk to a child?
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9. Do you have pets?
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a. Type of pet, breed, size, social? Friendly with children?
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b. Are you able to put animal away when child is around?
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10. Tell me about any potential safety concerns in/around your home that you would have to consider if a child was visiting your home. (Examples: swimming pool, power tools, etc.)
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11. Are there any weapons in home? How are the weapons secured?
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Question Group 7 – Leisure Time:
1. How do you currently spend your spare time? How has that changed over the past few years?
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2. How much of your free time is spent online? For what purpose? (Examples: blogging, gaming, Facebook, shopping, etc.)
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- If I were to Google you, what would I find?
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- Thinking about what’s on your personal web pages (e.g., blog, Facebook), is there anything on there that would be inappropriate for a child to read or view?
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- Do you plan to interact with your ittle online? (Review agency social media policy.)
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3. What other commitments do you have outside of work/school? Are you involved in any civic clubs, fraternities/sororities, church groups, classes that meet regularly, sports teams, etc.? What is the time commitment for those?
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4. When do you plan on seeing your Little in your spare time? What days and times do you know you are unavailable?