Our Top Tips to Help You Ace Your Final Camp Interview

After taking the plunge and applying for Camp Leaders, the hard work shown through your application and initial Camp Leaders interview has paid off; you've secured an interview with camp.

Now what?

Interviews tend to be the area a lot of people worry about when it comes to a job application, but there's honestly no need. By all means, fully prepare and aim to make a good impression, as this final interview will be slightly more formal than your initial one with Camp Leaders. But Camp Directors are people, too. They love chatting to people who are as equally excited about summer camp as to what they still are.

So, if you're ready to make a great impression in your final camp interview, here's our top tips in securing that dream job for the summer.

Camp directors are looking for people who are friendly and want to be there. It’s a simple way to make you look confident - even if you’re not feeling it at that moment.

In a virtual setting where you can't convey as much with body language, a big smile goes a long way.

Plus, smiling is infectious so get your interviewer in a good mood straight away.

Researching the camp’s before will set you in good stead. Talk about their facilities - maybe you liked the look of their waterfront or perhaps their camp video caught your eye?

Camp director’s will notice if you’ve taken the time to find out about their camp, plus it’s a really great talking point and a quick way to break the ice!

Don't forget, our Camp Leaders team will be available throughout the day via phone, email and LiveChat to cover any pre/post-interview questions you may have.

When speaking to the directors - they’ll want to know what you can do.

The golden question you’re going to be asked is ...

“Why should I hire you for my camp?”

Good question right.

It sounds a bit intimidating but if you have your answer prepared, then it becomes the best question you could be asked on the day.

Why?

Because this question allows you to sell you and what an amazing person you are.

A camp director will hire you because they like you. The biggest factors that they’ll be looking at are personality, your enthusiasm and what you can bring to camp… even if it’s just your energy.

If a camp is looking for a particular skill and you have it… well then this should be top of the list in the reasons to hire you.

When speaking about your skill level, be confident. It’s a very British trait to be modest (and to queue) but today when talking about you, don’t talk yourself down.

Talk about your experience in detail. Throw in the stats and facts - but most importantly, be enthusiastic. - If you sit there with a deadpan face and no emotion, then a camp director might question whether you even enjoy doing it, let alone could you motivate a group of campers?

The more excited you are when you talk about your skill, the better. Being passionate about something you’re planning to teach all summer is a selling point.

You’ve heard this a lot throughout the process, but it's for good reason.

The biggest reason a camp director will hire someone - is because of their personality.

Don’t be afraid to laugh and have fun. Camp Directors want to get to know you and will be looking for people to bring fun and energy to their camp. So don’t be afraid to be yourself.

The more you can relax and really chat to them, the more they will get to know you.

Camp Directors are always thinking about the campers. So show that you’re a good egg to be around.

Camp is all about the campers. So another great talking point is any work experience you’ve got with children (even if it’s just informal experience from babysitting younger members of your family.)

Top tip - Think of examples of working with children before you go.

Ultimately this is an informal chat to get to get to know you. You’ll find yourself speaking about the most random things and topics, the director is going to want to see what interests you - and it doesn’t have to be camp.

The interview is far from scary. We’re not even sure it counts as an interview.

Camp directors are very enthusiastic and friendly. They are even more enthusiastic about skill demonstrations. So if you’ve got your guitar there in the background, don't be scared to pick it up and give it a play.

As the interview begins to comes to a close, be prepared to fire some questions back.

Not only will you look well prepared and interested, but it will also give you an edge as they'll remember you.

Here’s a few ideas of what to ask:

• What is the day to day of camp like
• What’s your favourite thing about camp?
• What’s it like being based in (insert your State/city here)

Interviewing with a director felt more like talking to one of my friends about all the things I really enjoy doing. They wanted to know why I want to work with kids and why I want to do media, so I told them about all the great experiences I had in a summer camp in Hungary before and also how much I enjoyed working for the radio stations in the past. They also told me so much about camp, so after the interview I knew I'm gonna have an amazing time there. Eva - Camp Chi