Top Lifeguard Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

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

Interview Practice

Search Lifeguard Questions:


  • Question: Why do you want to be a lifeguard?
  • 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: What if you have to stay late due to a scheduling miscommunication?
  • 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: How would you handle a certain situation?
  • 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: What is your weakness?
  • 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: What is Google's mission?
  • 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: What kind of work experience do you have?
  • 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: What's your favorite children movie?
  • 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: What is your 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: What would you do if a guest is unhappy in the park?
  • Question Overview: A lifeguard is the first person that a guest will turn to if they are unhappy with their experience in the park. You want to make sure that your candidate is able to handle this situation with tact and professionalism. They should be able to listen to the guest's concerns and work with them to resolve the issue.

    Sample Answer: I would listen to their concerns and try to work with them to find a solution that works for everyone.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to listen to a guest's concerns
    • - Ability to communicate with a guest in a professional manner
    • - Willingness to work with a guest to find a solution

  • Question: How would you handle a stressful situation?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to see how the applicant handles pressure. You want to know that they are capable of keeping their cool in a potentially dangerous situation. Stressful situations can arise in a pool or beach setting, so you want to make sure that your potential hire is ready for anything.

    Sample Answer: I would assess the situation and make sure that I was prepared to handle it. I would then take action as necessary.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to remain calm under pressure
    • - Willingness to take initiative and act quickly
    • - Knowledge of conflict resolution techniques

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an upset customer.
  • 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: What would you do if there was an emergency on deck?
  • 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: What have you done above and beyond for someone at a previous job?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to get a sense of the candidate's personality and how they handle difficult situations. You want to know that your lifeguard is willing to go above and beyond for others. This is especially true if they are supervising a pool or beach. They should be able to help someone who is in need of assistance without hesitation.

    Sample Answer: I have gone above and beyond for guests in the past by helping them with their sunscreen application or giving them a towel when they were too hot.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Willingness to help others
    • - Ability to handle difficult situations
    • - Good communication skills

  • Question: Are you willing to get CPR/Certified?
  • Question Overview: This is a simple yes or no question that will help you to determine whether or not the candidate is willing to take the necessary steps to be a lifeguard. You want to avoid hiring someone who is not willing to commit to the job.

    Sample Answer: Yes, I am willing to get certified.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Yes
    • - No

  • Question: What are you most proud of in your life?
  • Question Overview: This is a question that can give you insight into the candidate's personal life. You want to make sure that they are proud of their work and that they are willing to take pride in their accomplishments. This is a question that can also help you understand their values and what they care about.

    Sample Answer: I am most proud of my work with the water safety education program. I have been able to help hundreds of kids learn how to swim and be safe around water.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A sense of pride in the work that they do
    • - A willingness to take pride in their accomplishments
    • - A desire to be a role model for others

  • Question: What do you like to do in your free time?
  • Question Overview: You want to make sure that your potential candidate is a well-rounded individual. You want to avoid hiring someone who is only interested in their work and has no other interests outside of it. You want to hire someone who is able to balance their work life with their personal life.

    Sample Answer: I like to spend time with my family and friends. I also like to go hiking on the weekends.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A variety of interests
    • - A healthy balance between work and personal life
    • - A good attitude towards life

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond for a guest or customer.
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to get a sense of the candidate's work ethic and dedication. You want to make sure that they are willing to go the extra mile for their guests and that they are not afraid to take initiative when it is needed. This is a great opportunity to see how they handle difficult situations and how they feel about taking on additional responsibilities.

    Sample Answer: I once saw a guest who was struggling to get out of the pool. I helped her out of the water and then walked her back to her room.

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

  • Question: What should you do if someone gets hurt while you are on duty?
  • Question Overview: This is a very important question that will help you to determine whether or not the candidate has the necessary skills to act in a professional manner in an emergency. You want to hear that they are familiar with the basic procedures for handling a medical emergency.

    Sample Answer: I would call for help and then check to see if the individual was still breathing. If they were not, I would begin CPR.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of basic first aid procedures
    • - Ability to remain calm and collected
    • - Familiarity with the use of emergency equipment