Top Tutor Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Prepare for your Tutor interview by going through these most asked Tutor interview questions. Additionally, get access to sample answers and interviewer's expectations.

Interview Practice

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  • Question: How will you balance your own heavy course load while tutoring?
  • Question Overview: This is an important question as it reveals how the applicant plans to manage their time. You want to make sure they can balance their schoolwork and their tutoring responsibilities. This question also reveals how well they plan ahead and how organized they are.

    Sample Answer: I have a tutor myself, so I know how to manage my time effectively. I will make sure I have enough time to do both.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Good time management skills
    • - Ability to prioritize tasks
    • - Ability to work well under pressure

  • Question: Who was your mentor and how did they help you?
  • Question Overview: This question is important as it reveals how the candidate learned from their mentors. It also shows how they learned from their mentors and how they would like to mentor others. This question can also reveal if the applicant is willing to help others learn.

    Sample Answer: My mentor was my calculus teacher in high school. He was always willing to help me after school and even gave me extra assignments to help me improve.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Mentor's name
    • - Mentor's role in the applicant's life
    • - How the mentor helped the applicant

  • Question: What is your previous experience in teaching?
  • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask as it gives you insight into the applicant's past teaching experience. You can get a sense of how they have dealt with different situations and what they are most comfortable with. This question also lets you know if they have any experience with your organization's tutoring environment.

    Sample Answer: I've been teaching for several years now. I've worked with students who have learning disabilities and those who are gifted. I've also worked with students who are struggling in a particular subject.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience in the desired subject matter
    • - Ability to work in your organization's tutoring environment
    • - Previous experience with students who have similar needs

  • Question: Why do you want to be a tutor?
  • Question Overview: This question is important because it lets you know what motivates the applicant. You can see if they are passionate about helping students learn and if they have a desire to help others. This question also lets you know if they have a genuine interest in the subject matter.

    Sample Answer: I love sharing my knowledge with others and watching them grow. I've always wanted to be a teacher, and I think tutoring is a great way to get started.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Passion for helping students learn
    • - Desire to help others
    • - Desire to share knowledge

  • Question: How would you handle a situation where students are not listening to you?
  • Question Overview: This is a question that reveals how the candidate handles a difficult situation. It is important to see how they handle students who are not interested in learning. You should also get a sense of how the candidate deals with students who are not interested in the subject matter.

    Sample Answer: I would ask them what they are interested in and try to relate it back to the lesson. I would also try to make the subject more interesting by relating it to something they're interested in.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to remain calm
    • - Creativity in getting students' attention
    • - Confidence in their teaching abilities

  • Question: What is your experience in teaching (this subject)?
  • Question Overview: This question is important because you want to make sure the candidate has experience in the subject they are applying for. You can also see how well they can communicate the subject to others.

    Sample Answer: I've been tutoring (this subject) for over a year now, and I've had experience teaching it in both high school and college. I know how to explain difficult concepts in a way that students can understand.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of the subject
    • - Ability to explain the subject
    • - Experience with teaching the subject

  • Question: What is your experience working with children?
  • Question Overview: This is an important question to ask as you get to see how the applicant interacts with children. You can also get a sense of how comfortable they are with children and whether they have any experience working with them. This question also lets you see how the candidate handles different types of children.

    Sample Answer: I've worked with children for the past five years. I've tutored them in math and English, and I've also been a camp counselor for two summers.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience working with children
    • - Ability to work with different types of children
    • - Knowledge of child psychology

  • Question: Why do you want to work for us?
  • Question Overview: This is an important question to ask as you want to know if the applicant is really interested in your organization. It also lets you know if the applicant is familiar with your organization and its goals. This question also helps you see if the applicant is willing to work for a non-profit organization.

    Sample Answer: I've heard great things about your organization, and I'm very interested in working with children.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Passion for your organization's goals
    • - Familiarity with your organization
    • - Willingness to work for a non-profit

  • Question: What are your career goals?
  • Question Overview: This question lets you see if the applicant is interested in a long-term career in tutoring or if they are just looking for a short-term job. It also reveals how committed they are to the field.

    Sample Answer: I would like to continue tutoring and eventually become a teacher. I want to help students learn and grow.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Long-term interest in tutoring
    • - Desire to help students
    • - Desire to improve their teaching skills

  • Question: What do you like to do in your free time?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to see if the applicant has any hobbies that could be beneficial to your organization. For example, if they enjoy playing music, they could bring in instruments to use with students. If they like to read, they could bring in books for students to read. This question also gives you a chance to see if the applicant has any other interests that could help them connect with students.

    Sample Answer: I like to play the piano and sing. I also like to read and write. I think these activities can help me connect with students.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Interests that can be used in tutoring sessions
    • - Interests that can be used to connect with students

  • Question: What drives you?
  • Question Overview: This question is a test of the candidate's motivation. It is important to find a tutor who is driven to help students learn. You should also see if the applicant has a strong desire to help others.

    Sample Answer: I love to see students succeed and overcome their challenges. I want to help them reach their full potential.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Passion for helping students
    • - Desire to help others
    • - Desire to be a tutor

  • Question: How would you multiply 19 and 4?
  • Question Overview: This question is a test to see how well the applicant can apply their knowledge to a real-world situation. The candidate's answer should demonstrate their ability to think quickly and accurately. You should also pay attention to whether they use a calculator or paper and pencil.

    Sample Answer: I would first multiply 19 by 4, then add the 2 and 9 together. The answer is 76.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to solve problems quickly
    • - Confidence in their answer
    • - Uses appropriate tools for the job

  • Question: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
  • Question Overview: This question lets you see how the candidate plans to grow as a tutor. You can also see if they have any long-term goals for their career. This is an important question because it shows how committed they are to their career and how likely they are to stay with your organization.

    Sample Answer: I would like to continue teaching and helping students learn new concepts. I would also like to become a tutor supervisor.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Desire to continue teaching
    • - Ambition to improve skills
    • - Desire to work in a specific field

  • Question: Tell me about your self.
  • Question Overview: This is an open-ended question that gives the candidate a chance to share their personality and interests. You can learn about their personal lives and how they spend their free time. This question is important because you want to make sure the candidate is a good fit for your organization.

    Sample Answer: I love working with kids and helping them learn. I'm also a big sports fan and love watching basketball games.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Passion for helping students
    • - Desire to work with children
    • - Interest in the organization's mission

  • Question: What would you say to the parents of your student who feel that their child should be at a higher level?
  • Question Overview: This question is important as it reveals how the candidate handles parents who may be overbearing or have unrealistic expectations. The applicant's answer should demonstrate how they can handle parents and keep them informed of their child's progress.

    Sample Answer: I would explain that I am working with their child at their current level and that I am confident they will be able to master the material. I would also encourage them to ask me questions about the material.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to handle parents
    • - Knowledge of the subject matter
    • - Ability to explain concepts to parents

  • Question: If you were a disney princess, which one would you be and why?
  • Question Overview: This question is a fun way to get to know the candidate's personality. It is also a good way to see how well they can think on their feet.

    Sample Answer: I would be Snow White because she is kind and sweet. I like to think I'm like that.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Humor
    • - Creativity
    • - Ability to think quickly

  • Question: How do you explain the shortcomings in some of your past projects?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to see how the candidate handles mistakes and failures. You want to know if they are able to learn from their mistakes and apply what they've learned to future projects. This question also reveals how honest the applicant is.

    Sample Answer: I always try to learn from my mistakes and apply what I've learned to future projects. I also try to think of ways I can improve on the project.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to learn from mistakes
    • - Ability to be honest about shortcomings

  • Question: What is your favorite client?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to see how the candidate reacts to different types of students. You want to see how they can adjust their teaching style to fit a variety of personalities. This question also lets you see how they handle different learning styles.

    Sample Answer: I like working with students who are motivated and want to learn. I find that these students are the most successful in my tutoring sessions.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to adapt teaching style for different students
    • - Knowledge of various learning styles
    • - Calm and steady personality

  • Question: What ages do you prefer to teach?
  • Question Overview: This question is important because you want to make sure the tutor is comfortable working with different age groups. You should also ask about their experience with different learning styles.

    Sample Answer: I've worked with students from kindergarten to high school, and I've found that the older the student, the more challenging it is to teach them.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience with various age groups
    • - Knowledge of different learning styles

  • Question: How will you spell nonsense words?
  • Question Overview: This question is a test of the candidate's ability to spell and their knowledge of phonics. It is important to find a tutor who can spell correctly and knows how to teach spelling to students.

    Sample Answer: I'll spell it out loud and then write it on the board. I'll also have the student write it down.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of phonics
    • - Ability to spell correctly