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: 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 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 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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 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: Tell me about a difficult situation you faced and how did you resolve it?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to see how the candidate handles difficult situations. It is important to know how they respond to challenges. This question can also reveal how flexible they are and how well they can adapt to different situations.

    Sample Answer: I had a student who was very shy and didn't want to speak up in class. I noticed that he was very interested in the subject matter, so I started giving him extra homework assignments and encouraging him to ask questions in class. He began to feel more comfortable with the material and his grades improved.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to resolve conflicts
    • - Confidence in their decision-making
    • - Creativity in problem-solving

  • Question: Q: What would be your tip to your student about time management in a standardized test?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to see how the candidate will approach a student who is having trouble with time management. You should get a good sense of how the tutor candidate will handle students who are struggling with time management. This question also gives you an idea of how they will approach students who are having trouble with a specific subject.

    Sample Answer: I would tell them to break down the test into manageable chunks. I would then have them practice taking timed tests and try to improve their scores.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to explain concepts in a way that students can understand
    • - Knowledge of time management strategies
    • - Openness to different teaching styles

  • Question: What level of math do you know?
  • Question Overview: This is a simple question that can reveal a lot about the candidate's knowledge of math. It is important to find someone who is comfortable with the subject matter and can help students who are struggling with it. This question will also let you know if the applicant has any experience with the subject matter.

    Sample Answer: I have taken several calculus and abstract algebra courses in college.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of the subject matter
    • - Experience with the subject matter
    • - Ability to explain complex concepts to others

  • Question: What is the equation for slope of a straight line?
  • Question Overview: This is a basic math question that will reveal how well the candidate understands the subject matter. It is important to ask this question to see if the tutor can explain concepts in a clear and concise manner.

    Sample Answer: The equation for slope of a straight line is y=mx+b, where x and y are the coordinates of any point on the line, m is the slope, and b is the y-intercept.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to explain complex concepts
    • - Knowledge of basic math concepts

  • Question: How will you handle difficult students?
  • Question Overview: This is an important question to ask as you want to make sure the tutor is prepared for any situation. You want to know how they will handle a student who is not paying attention or who is disruptive. You should also find out how they will handle a student who is not motivated to learn.

    Sample Answer: I'll try to find out what's going on with the student and see if I can get them to open up. If they are distracted, I'll try to find a quiet place for us to work. If they are disruptive, I'll ask them to step out of the room for a few minutes.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to keep the student focused
    • - Calm and steady personality
    • - Creativity in handling difficult situations

  • Question: How will you describe yourself as a mentor?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to see if the candidate is a good role model for students. It is also a way to see if they are able to relate to students on a personal level. This question is important because you want to see if the tutor can be a positive influence on your students.

    Sample Answer: I like to be a positive role model for students. I like to encourage them and help them believe in themselves. I also like to be honest with them when they are struggling and help them find ways to improve.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Passion for helping students
    • - Good listener
    • - Positive outlook

  • Question: What are your strengths in teaching?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to get to know the candidate's strengths and weaknesses. It is important to know if they are aware of their own strengths and weaknesses. This question can also reveal how the applicant reacts to criticism.

    Sample Answer: I'm very patient and I can explain things in a way that makes them easy to understand. I also have a knack for making students feel comfortable and confident.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to identify strengths
    • - Ability to accept criticism
    • - Openness to self-improvement

  • Question: How would you motivate a student to study?
  • Question Overview: This question is important as it reveals how the candidate motivates students to learn. It is also a good way to see if they are good at communicating with students. You should get a sense of how the tutor candidate can keep students interested in their work.

    Sample Answer: I usually start by asking them what they want to learn and why they want to learn it. Then I try to find out what they already know about the subject and what their interests are. I try to make the subject interesting for them.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to motivate students
    • - Good communication skills
    • - Creativity in motivating students

  • Question: What past experiences have helped you prepare for this position?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to see how well the candidate can think on their feet. It is also a way to see how they have handled similar situations in the past. You should get a good sense of how well they can apply their past experiences to your organization's needs.

    Sample Answer: I've been tutoring for over five years, and I've seen students who have been in the same situation as your students. I know what it takes to help them succeed.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to think on their feet
    • - Knowledge of similar situations
    • - Confidence in their ability to handle challenges

  • Question: What would you do if a student was being difficult?
  • Question Overview: This question is a test for how well the candidate handles difficult situations. It is important to see how they handle students who are not interested in learning. You should also see how they handle students who are not respectful of their time.

    Sample Answer: I would ask the student what they need from me to help them learn. I would then try my best to accommodate their needs.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to remain calm
    • - Ability to redirect students
    • - Ability to keep students focused