Top Lifeguard Interview Questions with Example Answers [2020]

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 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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