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.

Search Tutor Questions:


  • 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: If you were asked a question that you couldn't answer for a student, what would your say?
  • Question Overview: This question is a test for the candidate's honesty and integrity. It is important to find a tutor who will be honest with students, even if it means disappointing them. You want to make sure the tutor candidate is willing to admit when they don't know something, but also that they are willing to find the answer for the student.

    Sample Answer: I would tell them that I don't know the answer, but I would find it for them. I would also ask if they have any other questions that I could answer.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Honesty
    • - Integrity
    • - Desire to help students

  • Question: What would you do if a kid wasn't cooperating with you?
  • Question Overview: This is an important question to ask as you want to know how the candidate will handle a difficult student. You want to see if they can maintain their composure and focus on the task at hand. This question also reveals how the applicant deals with challenging situations.

    Sample Answer: I would try to figure out what was bothering them and try to fix it. I would also try to get them to do something else while I work with another student.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Calm and collected
    • - Ability to remain focused
    • - Confidence in their teaching abilities

  • Question: Choose a problem and explain how you would go about solving it with a student.
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to see how the candidate thinks about problems. It will also give you an idea of how they approach students and how they can help them understand difficult concepts. You should also pay attention to whether the applicant is good at listening to students.

    Sample Answer: I would ask the student what they already know about the problem and then try to build on that knowledge. I would then ask them what they think the answer is and why. I would then give them a few examples of how to solve the problem and let them choose which one they like best.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to explain problems in a simple way
    • - Ability to listen to students
    • - Ability to explain concepts in a way that makes sense

  • Question: How do you help a student struggling with math?
  • Question Overview: This question gives you insight into how the candidate approaches students who are having difficulty with math. It is important to find a tutor who can help students who are struggling with math as it is a common weakness for many students. This question also reveals how the candidate deals with students who are frustrated with their work.

    Sample Answer: I usually give them a few sample problems to see where they're struggling. Then I show them how to do the problem step-by-step and explain why each step is necessary.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of various teaching methods
    • - Ability to adjust strategies for different students
    • - Open to trying different teaching styles

  • Question: How would you approach a student who needed help with his/her paper?
  • Question Overview: This question reveals how the candidate approaches students who are in need of assistance. It is important to find a tutor who is able to help students with their writing skills. This question also reveals how the applicant handles a situation that is not directly related to a subject they are tutoring.

    Sample Answer: I would first ask the student what they are having trouble with and then offer suggestions on how to fix it. I would also ask them if they have any questions about the assignment or about the subject matter.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to help students with writing
    • - Creativity in approaching students
    • - Interpersonal skills

  • Question: What is your teaching style?
  • Question Overview: This is an important question to ask as you get to see the tutor's individual style and approach to teaching. The candidate's response lets you know how they prefer to explain concepts to students. You should get a good sense if the prospective tutor can help different students. This question also lets you see what sort of educational milestones the applicant prioritizes.

    Sample Answer: I like to encourage students to ask questions and really understand subjects. I find non-traditional methods, like hands-on learning, to be particularly effective.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of various teaching methods
    • - Ability to adjust strategies for different students
    • - Open to trying different teaching styles

  • Question: What is the Pythagorean Theorem and how would you explain it to your student?
  • Question Overview: This is an important question to ask because it gives you an idea of how the candidate explains concepts to students. You should see if they can break down complicated topics into simple terms that students can understand. This question also reveals how well the applicant can explain concepts to students who are unfamiliar with the subject matter.

    Sample Answer: The Pythagorean Theorem is a formula that states that the sum of the squares of the sides of a right triangle equals the square of the hypotenuse. It's a simple equation that can be used to solve for any unknown side length.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to explain complicated concepts
    • - Confidence in their teaching abilities
    • - Knowledge of subject matter

  • Question: If the student didn't understand your explanation, or you don't know the answer of the questions which students ask, what would you do?
  • Question Overview: This question is important as it reveals how the applicant deals with a difficult situation. You want to know if they are confident in their knowledge of the subject matter or if they are willing to admit when they don't know something. You should also find out how they handle a student who is frustrated.

    Sample Answer: I would try to find a different way to explain the concept and ask them if they understand. If not, I will look up the answer and explain it again.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to admit when they don't know something
    • - Confidence in their knowledge of the subject matter
    • - Calm and steady personality

  • Question: What time will you be available for tutoring?
  • Question Overview: This is a question that will give you a sense of the tutor's availability. You want to make sure that they can meet your organization's needs. This is an important question because you want to make sure that the tutor is available when you need them.

    Sample Answer: I'm available after school from 3:00-5:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Flexibility to work around your organization's schedule
    • - Ability to work during peak hours
    • - Availability during off-peak hours

  • 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