Abstract

Experience has shown that the most successful members have a commitment to service, enthusiasm for making a difference, flexibility, and an ability to respond well to challenges. Northwest Service Academy (NWSA) uses this list of questions to help screen applicants and determine if they have what it takes to thrive as national service members. This effective practice was submitted by Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory’s (NWREL) Recruitment and Development Initiative (EnCorps) in December 2006.

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Issue

Once you've determined that an applicant meets the minimum requirements for service (age, citizenship status, and education), what should you look for?

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Action

According to the Northwest Service Academy, the following will help you determine whether a prospective applicant has what it takes:

• Previous skills and experience are not necessarily the strongest indicators of a successful AmeriCorps member. Identify which skills/abilities the applicant already needs to have for the position and which can be easily learned by a willing and able applicant.
• Consider motivation: Is the candidate a self-starter?
• Look at the applicants' previous commitments to determine if they can complete a full service year.
• How much and what type of volunteer work has the applicant done?
• Ask about a difficult and challenging commitment the candidate made and met.
• Ask for examples of when the candidate had to be flexible and adaptable.
• Look for enthusiasm, readiness for challenge, and the ability to deal with adversity.
• Determine whether the applicant has fully thought out reasons for applying to become an AmeriCorps member.
• Is the applicant looking for a job or for a service opportunity?
• Have the candidate consider whether he or she can live on the program stipend.
• Has she/he given evidence of tolerance and the ability to work with a wide variety of people?
• Consider the types of questions the candidate asks during the interview. (For example, do the questions focus on the project or primarily on AmeriCorps benefits?)
• If you conducted a phone interview, was the applicant attentive or distracted?

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Context

Northwest Service Academy is an environmental service organization with centers in Portland, Oregon and Trout Lake, Washington. Members are involved in hands-on watershed restoration, environmental education, trail construction, resource conservation, and volunteer mobilization projects throughout the Pacific Northwest, and are committed to developing an active corps of community leaders while protecting and restoring the natural environment.

EnCorps resources carry a field "stamp of approval." Veteran program staff reviewed and recommended these resources for working with AmeriCorps and VISTA members.

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Citation

EnCorps. "What to Look for in an Applicant"
http://encorps.nationalserviceresources.org/resources/screening_applications/what_to_look_for_in_an_app.php

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Posted On

June 6, 2007

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For More Information

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Resources

EnCorps: Recruitment and Placement

Related Practices

• Building a recruitment plan

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Related sites

Topic Areas

• Recruitment
• Screening
• AmeriCorps
• AmeriCorps VISTA
• Member
• Program management
• EnCorps

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