Practicum and field placement interview questions

About you and why this site

1. “Tell me about yourself.”

   Usually listening for: A short, organized answer that connects where you are in your program to why you want this setting.

   Prepare: Four or five sentences: your program and year, your most relevant experience (clinical or not), what you hope to learn here, and one thing you'd like guidance on.

   One way to say it: “I'm in the second year of my clinical mental health counseling program. Before this I spent two years as a residential aide, so I'm comfortable with crisis plans and shift handoffs, but I haven't run intake interviews. I'd like to learn that here.”

2. “Why are you interested in this site and the people it serves?”

   Usually listening for: That you read what the site actually does, and that your interest fits the work it can offer a student.

   Prepare: One specific detail from the site's public description, plus one learning goal tied to it. Avoid answers that would fit any site.

3. “What experience do you have with this population?”

   Usually listening for: An honest picture of your level, and experience that transfers even if it isn't clinical.

   Prepare: Name your actual role and tasks. Separate what you observed from what you did. "None yet, but here is what I've done that's close" is a fine answer.

4. “What do you hope to learn here?”

   Usually listening for: Concrete goals the site can realistically support.

   Prepare: Two goals: one skill (for example, opening a first session, running a group with a co-leader, writing notes) and one thing specific to the setting.

Supervision and feedback

Use these questions to practice describing how you seek guidance and respond to feedback.

1. “Tell me about a time you got feedback that was hard to hear.”

   Usually listening for: Openness rather than defensiveness, and evidence that you used the feedback.

   Prepare: One true example in three parts: what the feedback was, how you responded, and what you changed. It doesn't need to be from counseling or social work.

2. “What would you do if you didn't know how to handle something with a client?”

   Usually listening for: That you know the limits of your training and would bring it to your supervisor rather than improvising alone.(ACA Code C.2.a; NASW Code 1.04)

   Prepare: Say that you would pause, avoid promising anything you can't deliver, and consult your supervisor, right away if safety is involved. Both professions' codes expect practitioners to stay within the limits of their training.

3. “How do you prefer to get feedback, and how will you bring questions to supervision?”

   Usually listening for: That you'll prepare for supervision and speak up early.

   Prepare: Describe how you'd come prepared (questions written down, a recording or notes if your site allows) and how you'd flag something urgent between meetings.

4. “What do you do for self-care?”

   Usually listening for: Realistic self-awareness and a willingness to ask for support.(Wake Forest)

   Prepare: Keep it brief and practical. You decide how much personal history to share; you can answer without telling your own story.

Ethics and judgment

Scenario questions check whether you know the basics and would follow the site's procedures. You are not expected to know the site's procedures yet; say you would learn them in orientation and ask your supervisor.

1. “A client tells you something you think you might have to report. What do you do?”

   Usually listening for: That you know confidentiality has limits, wouldn't promise secrecy, and would follow the site's procedure and tell your supervisor right away.(ACA Code B.1.d, B.2.a; NASW Code 1.07(c); Child Welfare Information Gateway)

   Prepare: Explain that confidentiality has legal and ethical limits, and that you would seek prompt supervision while following the reporting duties and deadlines that apply to your role and jurisdiction. Telling a supervisor may not fulfill your own reporting duty; do not delay a required report while waiting for approval.

2. “How would you handle a client in crisis?”

   Usually listening for: That you would follow the site's crisis procedure and bring in your supervisor at once, rather than manage an emergency alone.(DePaul)

   Prepare: Say you would follow the site's emergency procedure, bring in your supervisor or designated emergency support promptly, and maintain contact when safe. Learn the procedure in orientation; do not delay emergency help while waiting for supervision.

3. “How would you work with a client whose values or background differ from yours?”

   Usually listening for: Respect and curiosity, and awareness that your own values shouldn't steer the client.(ACA Code A.4.b; NASW Code 1.05)

   Prepare: Say how you'd learn about what matters to the client, and that you'd bring your own reactions to supervision.

4. “Walk me through how you would open a first session.”

   Usually listening for: Informed consent, the limits of confidentiality, and telling the client you're a student under supervision.(ACA Code F.5.c; NASW Code 3.02(c))

   Prepare: Use the first-session checklist on this site. The ACA Code asks counseling students to disclose that they are supervisees; the NASW Code asks field instructors to make sure clients know when a student is providing services.

5. “A client asks to follow you on social media, or you run into a client at the grocery store. What do you do?”

   Usually listening for: Boundary awareness and that you'd follow site policy.

   Prepare: Say you wouldn't accept the request, would protect the client's privacy in public (letting them choose whether to say hello), and would raise it with your supervisor.

Skills: "What would you say?"

Some sites ask for a response to a client line, or a quick role play. They're looking at how you listen, not at a perfect answer.

1. “A client says, "I don't even know why I'm here." What would you say?”

   Usually listening for: A calm open question or reflection, not advice or a lecture on why counseling helps.

   Prepare: Have one reflection and one open question ready.

   One way to say it: “It sounds like coming in wasn't completely your idea. What happened that led to today?”

2. “What is your theoretical orientation?”

   Usually listening for: That you can name an approach and say why, and that you're open to how this site works.(Wake Forest)

   Prepare: Be ready to talk about one or two theories you're drawn to, and how you'd learn the site's model. Wake Forest's counseling program suggests knowing at least one theory beyond person-centered.

Logistics

1. “What does your availability look like?”

   Usually listening for: A realistic schedule that meets your program's requirements and the site's busy times.

   Prepare: Bring your class schedule, your program's required placement hours and dates, and any evening or weekend limits.

2. “Do you have any questions for us?”

   Usually listening for: Real interest, and that you've thought about supervision and learning.

   Prepare: Always have three. Pick from the list below.

Questions to ask the site

Choose the ones the site's website doesn't already answer. Tick what you got a clear answer to.

Sources: (Boise State; UB; DePaul)