Interview Coming Up? 10 Things to Prep Before a Community Services Interview. If you work with Be, you are lucky – we will help you with all of this preparation!
Interviews in community services aren’t just about what you’ve done – they’re about how you think, how you lead, and how you protect people.
Here are 10 things to prep before you walk into the room.
1. Know the Organisation’s Purpose
Not just the mission statement – understand who they support, how they’re funded, and what pressures they’re facing.
2. Understand the Funding Model
NDIS, OOHC, government grants, expect questions about viability, compliance, and sustainability.
3. Be Clear on Your Safeguarding Lens
Child safety, participant safety, trauma-informed practice, mandatory reporting — know how you operationalise safety, not just the policy words.
4. Prepare Real Leadership Examples
How you:
• managed change
• handled underperformance
• supported burnout
• led through uncertainty
Stories matter more than titles.
5. Know Your Compliance Basics
Think: audits, incidents, complaints, accreditation cycles, risk registers. You don’t need to be perfect – just credible.
6. Be Ready to Talk Culture
Values, psychological safety, inclusion, retention.
They’re hiring how you show up, not just what you know.
7. Understand the Role Beyond the PD
What problems is this role actually meant to solve in the next 6–12 months?
8. Prepare Your Why
Why this organisation? Why now?
If it sounds generic, it won’t land.
9. Have Thoughtful Questions Ready
Strong candidates ask about:
• Strategy
• Leadership expectations
• Workforce challenges
• Success measures
This shows maturity, not arrogance.
10. Ground Yourself Emotionally
Community services work is heavy.
Be calm, reflective, and human – not rehearsed or defensive.
Final tip:
If you can clearly explain how you balance compassion with accountability, you’re already ahead of most candidates.
Good luck – and go in remembering why you chose this sector in the first place 
For more tips or for a confidential discussion, reach out to [email protected]
