Chapter 12 - Working with Staff

Front Line Counsellor

Applicant:________________________          Interviewer:__________________________

General

1. Tell us why you are interested in this position?
2. What skills and experience do you possess that will make you successful in this position?
3. How do you know when you are doing an excellent job?   How do you know when you are not doing the best job?
4. Can you give some detailed examples of previous work experience (other than Phoenix) that you think directly relates to the expectations in this job?

Counselling

1. What is your understanding of boundaries in a counseling relationship?   How do you establish them in a shelter setting?
2. How do you see yourself managing a caseload?   How would you approach working with youth from both an employment and housing perspective throughout the youth's residence?
3. Talk about your experiences of documenting/communicating counseling sessions.
4. Tell us what you know of the process when a youth moves in on your shift?   What are the key messages/issues to review?
5. What is an effective technique for managing two people in conflict?
6. How do you work with a client who is presenting chronic problems to you?
7. Please tell us about an experience you have had with a client where you feel you made a positive contribution to their situation?
8. Please tell us about an experience where you would change the way you dealt with a client.
9. What do you feel is the most important component to de-escalate a situation
10. Please tell us about different approaches you take when dealing with a client who appears to be uncooperative (doesn't engage in any programming, uncommunicative during sessions, breaks rules, etc.).
11. When supporting a youth to find long-term solutions to their homelessness, what do you feel are the priorities they should focus on?
    1. How do you help support this?

Team

1. How would you work with your team if you were unhappy with the direction your team was going on a particular issue?
2. What do you consider to be the issues that prevent a staff team from working together effectively?
3. What do you feel you have to offer that contributes positively to a staff team?

Communication/Interpersonal Skills

1. How do you know when you are communicating effectively with other people?
2. What do you do when you think someone is not listening to you?
3. How do you agree to disagree with someone effectively?
4. How important is the communication of your co-workers to your success as a counsellor?
5. What are some of the kinds of things, which might cause you to change or shift your priorities?

Wrap-up

1. What do feel are the areas you need to improve upon as a Youth Services Worker?
2. If you could change or add one thing to/about Eva's Phoenix what would it be?