
International Rescue Committee Interview Questions
& Process
Real candidates share what happened, how many rounds they had,
and how the experience turned out.
Based on 475 interview experiences · FREE TO READ
Which role are you interviewing for?
30 roles · 475 reportsCandidate interview experiences
First-hand accounts from people who interviewed at International Rescue Committee.
Program Officer
It took a while to get a response after applying, but the interview process moved pretty fast once it started. I first had a phone chat with the recruiter. Then, I had a Zoom meeting with the hiring manager and the team. After that, I was given an assignment to complete. Finally, they asked for references before extending an offer. The recruiter was super responsive and kept me informed throughout the entire process!
- Can you tell me about your technical expertise and how it relates to our team's culture?
- Questions about your work culture fit.
Program Officer
I went through 2 interviews for this Program Officer role and also had to submit a portfolio. First, I spoke with an HR person over the phone for a 30-minute chat, but it wrapped up in about 15 minutes because she seemed like she was in a rush and got a bit annoyed when I asked questions. So, I wasn't super optimistic about moving forward. But, the next interview with the hiring manager and the unit director went great! They asked for portfolio examples of my work, which made sense for a training development position. They responded quickly, though I've heard that can differ by department. I got an offer less than a week after the second interview.
- What steps would you take to prioritize diversity and inclusion in this position?
Partnerships Coordinator
We started with an initial screening with HR, then the first interview was with the hiring manager. After that, there was a technical test that the hiring manager reviewed. The second interview involved the hiring manager and senior management. Then there was a reference check that included an Antiterrorism Check, which HR handled and took about 3-7 days. Finally, they made a job offer with compensation details.
- What is the rationale behind international organizations collaborating with local partners?
Project Manager
interviewed by recruiter, then hiring manager, and finally a panel. The whole thing was set up in under two weeks from initial contact. It took a lot of nudging and waiting until right before Christmas Eve to get a rejection with a generic message. Recruiter was unresponsive, didn't clarify salary ranges, and when I asked about a more senior role, I had to push for it and still got no real discussion. It was pretty disheartening and made me question the company culture, even though they said it was good.
No confirmed questions were included in this interview report.
International Rescue Committee Interview Questions
Quoted word for word from International Rescue Committee interview reports.
“What current human rights issue do you think most people are not paying enough attention to?”
Read reports →“Can you tell us about and explain what constitutes a vulnerable group in the context of GBV?”
Read reports →“What considerations are important for the quality management of a GBV center for women and girls in a refugee setting?”
Read reports →“Could you tell me what you know about the UN HCR refugee policy?”
Read reports →“How would you advise a client who is unwilling to work, despite the need to do so for their family's financial support?”
Read report →“How would you describe the function of an SQL query to someone without a technical background?”
Read report →“How would you respond to a client who is unsure about paying for financial aid or does not qualify for it?”
Read report →“How would you approach a refugee who is stressed about not finding a job and needs rent assistance from the IRC?”
Read report →“Which book or film has most influenced your desire to work in this field?”
Read report →Formats, difficulty and experience
Across all 475 International Rescue Committee interview reports.