Center for Urban Community Service (CUCS) Interview Questions
& Process

We started with a quick phone call to check what you put on your application. They just wanted to confirm you have a driver's license and are cool with driving all over NYC. After that, I had a Zoom chat with two supervisors, and then another interview with two *different* supervisors. The whole thing was pretty fast and straightforward.

It was a two-stage interview process. First, a Zoom call, and then an in-person interview. The people I met were really nice. They asked a lot of "tell me about a time" type questions. It's good to have some examples ready from your current or past jobs to talk about your experiences.

I got a call for a first interview that was pretty straightforward. It had standard interview questions like, 'tell me about your schooling, your past work experiences, and your motivation for joining our team?' After that, they checked my references and set up a second interview. Then, I spoke with the head of the department who asked more in-depth questions that felt like a test. For example, she asked about anxiety medications and symptoms of various mental illnesses. I sent a thank you note afterwards, but heard nothing back. I followed up after a week to get an update, and they said they were still making a decision. Another week passed, and I followed up again. They finally responded to let me know they had hired someone else.

I got a call the day after I applied. We talked for about 30 minutes about the job and my experience. The supervisor was really nice and set up an in-person interview for the next week. That interview was also laid-back, and we dug deeper into the role and how I'd handle different parts of it, like making outside work connections. I felt I could be honest instead of trying to give the 'perfect' answer. We also chatted openly about pay and chances for advancement. The supervisor then wanted me to meet with the director, so we scheduled that for the following week. The director made sure I understood the job and we discussed more about the daily needs of the people we serve. She was a bit more serious, but I didn't feel awkward or like I was being tested. It seemed like a good place to work. They mentioned a potential start date and said I'd hear back within the week. Five days later, the supervisor called and said they thought I was a good fit, gave me a start date, and asked to check my references. Sadly, the number was her personal cell, and although I left a message to proceed, it seems she didn't get it. I tried calling and emailing a few times after that to follow up, but the job went to someone else. So, from my experience, definitely call the office number!