Top Lifeguard Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Question Overview: Work experience is a vital part of the hiring process. You want to know that your potential candidate has experience working with others and can handle a variety of different situations. Make sure that they have experience in a pool or beach setting as well as some customer service experience.

Sample Answer: I have worked as a lifeguard for the past three summers, and I have also worked as a cashier at a local store.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Experience working with others
• - Experience in a pool or beach setting
• - Experience in customer service

Question Overview: Customer service is an essential part of a lifeguard's job. You want to know that your potential candidate is comfortable with dealing with the public and has experience in this regard. You want to know that they are able to handle difficult situations with grace and professionalism.

Sample Answer: I have worked as a lifeguard for several years now, and I have always enjoyed interacting with the guests. I feel like I have a good sense of how to handle any situation that may arise.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Comfort level with dealing with the public
• - Experience in customer service
• - Knowledge of customer service best practices

Question Overview: Theft is a common problem in many public areas, so you want to make sure that your potential candidate is prepared to handle it. You want to hear that they are aware of the importance of reporting it to the proper authorities and that they are willing to take action if they see someone stealing.

Sample Answer: I would report it to the proper authorities and make sure that they were aware of the situation.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Willingness to report theft
• - Knowledge of the proper authorities to contact
• - Ability to take action if necessary

Question Overview: This question is a great way to gauge the candidate's personality and sense of humor. You want to be sure that they are able to work well with children and that they are able to keep a light mood even in stressful situations. You also want to be sure that they are able to relate to the kids in a way that is appropriate for their age.

Sample Answer: I really like the movie "The Sandlot" because it has a lot of funny moments and it's a great story.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Sense of humor
• - Ability to relate to children
• - Comfort level with children

Question Overview: This question can help you gauge the candidate's experience with difficult customers. You want to know that they are able to remain professional in the face of rude, demanding or otherwise difficult people. You also want to know that they are able to resolve the issue in a way that is fair to both parties.

Sample Answer: I had an incident where a guest was rude and disruptive. I was able to keep my cool and explain the rules to him so that he could understand why I was asking him to leave.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Ability to remain calm and professional in a difficult situation
• - Willingness to compromise with others
• - Knowledge of how to resolve a conflict fairly

Question Overview: Listen to the candidate's answer to this question. You want to hear that they are interested in the job because they are passionate about the work and want to help others. You do not want to hire someone who is only interested in the job for the money or the perks.

Sample Answer: I want to be a lifeguard because I love being around water and I am always ready to help people.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Passion for helping others
• - Willingness to work in a potentially stressful environment
• - Desire to be a part of a team

Question Overview: This is a classic interview question that can be difficult to answer. You want to avoid hiring someone who is too self-critical, but you also want to make sure that they are honest about their shortcomings. If they are too hard on themselves, they may not be able to improve in the future. If they are too positive, they may not be able to see their own errors.

Sample Answer: I am a perfectionist, which can sometimes be a weakness. I am always striving to improve my skills and make sure that I am doing everything correctly.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Acknowledgement of a weakness
• - Acknowledgement of the importance of improvement
• - Willingness to work on the weakness

Question Overview: The candidate should be able to explain Google's mission in a few sentences. They should be able to tell you what the company does, how they do it, and why they do it.

Sample Answer: Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. They do this by providing a number of services that allow people to search for information online.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Knowledge of Google's mission statement
• - Ability to explain the company's purpose
• - Understanding of the company's core values

Question Overview: You want to make sure that your potential candidate is comfortable with the idea of working overtime. This is a common occurrence in the lifeguard profession, especially during the summer months. You want to know that your candidate will be able to handle it professionally and with a positive attitude.

Sample Answer: I would make sure that I had everything I needed for my shift before I left for the day.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - An understanding of the importance of staying on schedule
• - Willingness to work overtime when necessary
• - An ability to stay positive in difficult situations

Question Overview: This question is designed to give you insight into how the candidate thinks. You want to know that they are able to think on their feet and are able to make quick decisions in the event of an emergency. You want to see that they are able to prioritize the situation and act accordingly.

Sample Answer: I would first assess the situation and make sure that everyone was safe. I would then call for backup if necessary and make sure that the guest was being cared for.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Ability to prioritize in a potentially chaotic situation
• - Knowledge of the most important steps to take in an emergency
• - Knowledge of the most important safety procedures

Question Overview: This question can help you determine how well the candidate understands the importance of their role. You want to hire someone who understands that safety is the most important aspect of their job. They should be willing to sacrifice a positive customer experience if it means that they are able to keep people safe.

Sample Answer: Safety is the most important thing for me. I will do whatever it takes to keep people safe.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Safety is the priority
• - Willingness to sacrifice a positive customer experience for safety

Question Overview: This question can give you insight into the candidate's motivations and goals. You want to make sure that they are applying for this position because they want to work as a lifeguard and not because they are looking for something else.

Sample Answer: I have always been passionate about water safety and I am excited to be able to work in a position that allows me to help others.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Passion for the job
• - Desire to work in a specific location
• - Willingness to relocate if necessary

Question Overview: This is a question that will give you insight into the candidate's ability to handle difficult situations. You want to know that they are able to remain calm and collected in the face of a potentially chaotic situation. This is especially important if they are supervising a pool, where children may be more likely to become upset.

Sample Answer: I would calmly ask them to tell me what happened and where their parents are. I would then help them find their parents and make sure that they are safe.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• - Comfort level with children
• - Willingness to take initiative and enforce the rules

Question Overview: You want to make sure that your potential candidate is able to think on their feet and that they are able to act quickly in a stressful situation. You want them to be able to think clearly and to be able to prioritize the most important tasks. You also want them to be able to communicate clearly with the other lifeguards on duty.

Sample Answer: I would call for help immediately and then assess the situation. I would make sure that the guest was safe and then I would call for medical assistance.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Ability to prioritize in a stressful situation
• - Ability to communicate clearly with others
• - Ability to think clearly in a stressful situation

Question Overview: This is a question that you can use to gauge the applicant's expectations for the position. You want to make sure that they are realistic and that they understand what the job entails. If they are not willing to commit to a certain number of hours per week or if they are not willing to work weekends, then you may want to consider hiring someone else.

Sample Answer: I am looking for a part-time job that will allow me to make some money while I am in school. I am willing to work at least 20 hours per week.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Commitment to the position
• - Willingness to work weekends and holidays
• - Understanding of the importance of flexibility

Question Overview: This is a fairly standard interview question, but it can be a good way to get to know the candidate a little better. You want to know that they are able to work well with others and that they have a positive attitude.

Sample Answer: My best quality is my ability to work well with others. I am always willing to pitch in and help out.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Positive attitude
• - Ability to work well with others
• - Willingness to take initiative

Question Overview: You want to make sure that the candidate you are considering has a good amount of experience in the field. A lifeguard is expected to be able to handle a wide variety of situations, so you want to make sure that they have been exposed to a wide variety of scenarios.

Sample Answer: I have been a lifeguard for five years now. I have experience with everything from drowning victims to sunburns and everything in between.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Experience with a wide variety of situations
• - Ability to handle a wide variety of situations
• - Knowledge of the importance of safety

Question Overview: You want to make sure that your potential candidate is able to work a full-time schedule. You want to avoid hiring someone who will be unable to work the hours that you need them to.

Sample Answer: I am available for full-time work and can work any shifts that you need me to.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Availability for full-time work
• - Willingness to work overtime as necessary

Question Overview: A lifeguard's job is to be a mediator between guests and the rules. You want to know that your candidate is capable of handling difficult situations with grace and professionalism. They should be able to handle a variety of different situations, whether it is a guest who is unhappy about the rules or a guest who is in danger.

Sample Answer: I had a situation where a guest was upset about the rules and I was able to talk to them about why they were in place.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• - Confidence in their ability to handle difficult guests
• - Willingness to enforce the rules

Question Overview: This is a simple question that can be used to test the applicant's knowledge of basic chemistry. You want to make sure that they are familiar with the basics of how air is produced and how it can be used in an emergency.

Sample Answer: A full tank of air contains around 20 pounds of oxygen.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Knowledge of basic chemistry
• - Familiarity with the composition of air