Working at a beach and rescuing people may sound fancy for most people, but the people actually working as a lifeguard knows how hectic and demanding this job is. To be an expert swimmer and saving people’s lives is in itself challenging and requires a great deal of patience and courage. A lifeguard can be found plying their trade at almost any location where people swim.
They know how to save someone’s life who is drowning or how to handle a situation in which someone has suffered an injury while swimming. They are also trained to give artificial respiration if required. They keep a vigilant eye on all the people falling under his jurisdiction thus requires a great deal of responsibility.
Proper preparation and becoming familiar with the interview process is almost inevitable while attending an interview for the post of a lifeguard. Going through the sample questions mentioned below, will not only help you in acing your interview but will also stretch your imagination, and hence you will be in a better position to answer any unwelcome question.
Latest Questions For The Interview Of A Lifeguard
1) Tell Me Something About Yourself
This is the first question asked in almost all the interviews happening worldwide. Through this question, an interviewer wants to know you better. Tell them about your qualification and experience. The typical answer should be:
My name is XYZ and I have a certification from Modern Swim Training Institute specializing in lifeguard and life-saving techniques. My training was rigorous and involved real-life-saving drills. On top of that, I have been an intern at The Yuzi Group for the past 6 months.
2) Why You Chose To Be A Lifeguard?
This question evaluates your seriousness and commitment towards the profession. The best answer to this question could be:
I considered myself apt and fit for this profession right from my childhood. I have always been a meticulous, disciplined and self restraining person along with great vigilance skills. The profession of a lifeguard revolves around these key skills.
3) Which Is The Latest Book That You Have Read?
Through this type of question, an interviewer wants to know whether you are intellectual and rational or not. You could simply respond in this manner:
Case I:
I have recently read the XYZ book authored by QPR. It is an impressive book giving you real insights into the human minds during an emergency situation.
Case II:
I haven’t read any book recently, but I usually, see movies related to the resurrection, wherein someone acts as a savior of life. The most recent being ______________.
4) Who You Consider As Your Role Model?
Asked to check whom you idolize and want to be like. Possible answer could be:
I idolize my father, who is a former marine. He has always told me to be a nice human first and then an employee or businessman.
5) How Will You Handle A Situation In Which You Are Being Argued By A Someone About Pool/Swim Rules?
Staying calm and handling all the situations in a relaxed and composed manner is the primary skill of a lifeguard. Your best answer would be:
The rules are enforced to ensure the safety of the swimmer himself and the safety of all other pool users. Further, I am not the one who has framed these rules. Rather, I am the one responsible for their proper implementation and ensure they are followed wholeheartedly.
6) What Extra Would You Do While Dealing With A Group Of Children?
Everyone is concerned with the safety of kids and other vulnerable groups. You could reply like this:
Dealing with a group of children requires extra vigilance and supervision. Whenever I see children in the water, I keep my eyes wide open and before they enter the water, I educate them about some basic swimming techniques.
7) Why You Want To Work With Us?
An employer wants to make sure that you are serious about the organisation and once selected will serve them for a longtime. Your answer could be:
Your organization is in a dominant position coupled with some impressive employee-centric policies and perquisites. Your company satisfies my expectations thoroughly and hence I am looking to be a part of the team.
8) Have You Applied To Other Companies As Well?
Just reply honestly. Saying lies won’t work here as everyone knows, candidates apply simultaneously at various institutions.
9) Are You Aware of Life Saving Techniques?
Such techniques are almost inevitable for the position of a lifeguard. Explain the modus operandi of at least one such technique along with a practical experience(if any).
10) What Are Your Future Ambitions?
Give a genuine reply. Most commonly, people want to join marines after being a lifeguard or any reputable public service organization.
11) What Do You Think Is The Most Important Responsibility Of A Lifeguard?
There are several responsibilities of a lifeguard, Just mention any one to them. You answer could be:
The swim rules framed, if followed properly, would avoid any accident whatsoever. Hence, in my opinion, clearly communicating and explaining them would be the most important responsibility.
12) Are You Interested In Keeping Yourself Fit?
The roles of a lifeguard involves athleticism and good fitness level coupled with a sound presence of mind. Answer them, the various methods that you follow of keeping yourself fit, ranging from Yoga to weight lifting to deep breathing exercises.
13) How Good Are You In Swimming? Rate Yourself On A Scale of 1 to 5.
To be a good lifeguard, you have to be an exceptional swimmer. Through this question, they basically wants to know the confidence that you have on your swimming skills. Answering a perfect five may show arrogance and sounds boasting, hence anything between 4.5 to 4.8 is fine. You can respond in this way,
I am swimming since the age of five and have received several prestigious certifications too. I have complete confidence in my trade and I rate myself 4.7, as no one is perfect and we all keep improving and get better.
14) Have You Ever Saved Someone From Drowning?
Through this question, they want to know if you have any prior life-saving experience which is inescapable in this role. Answer honestly, as making a concocted story can be caught in no time with a few technical questions.
I have always swum since my childhood. When I was around 10 years old, I saw a young girl drowning at the beach and screaming for help. Although the waves were too dangerous for a 10-year-old, I still braved and saved her.
15) How Good Is Your Concentration Level?
The primary role of a lifeguard is to keep a keen and vigilant eye on all the participants or swimmers high in number. Maintaining a good focus on all the swimmers equally is not an easy task and is possible only if you have high levels of concentration. Answering this question in negative, may deplete your chances of selection, hence answer a yes.
16) Are You Interested In Doing Clerical Work Too?
Clerical work like marking attendance, filling forms, completion of reports is a part and parcel of the role of a life guard. Answer this question in affirmative, as employers don’t give a clerical assistant for performing clerical tasks.
17) Do You How To Give A CPR?
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR) is vital and crucial technique for a lifeguard to be aware of. Just explain them, the basic procedure in the following way:
CPR starts by laying a person on his back and then checking his/her’s breath. If they are not breathing, then giving 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths.
18) What Are The Equipment That A Lifeguard Should Always Possess?
Tell them the list of items possessed by the lifeguard such as:
- First aid kit having:
- Bandage
- Crepe
- Gauze
- Pain killers
- Antiseptic cream
- Antibiotic liquid(for cleaning of the wound)
- A stretcher
19) How Well Can You Handle Panic Situations?
A lifeguard is needed in situations that are challenging and gut-wrenching. Saving a person’s life is not an easy task and requires a calm mind and relaxed attitude. Answer this question positively and quote a few instances from your real life.
20) Do You Like To Work Overtime?
The work of a lifeguard might stretch beyond the contracted hours, and employers ask these questions, to know your preference about the same. Employees who are not flexible or too constricted have fewer chances of selection. Hence, give a positive reply and don’t worry you will be well compensated for those extra hours of work.
21) Any Questions For Us?
Don’t leave this question unanswered and always try to frame a question, from the discussion itself. This exhibits you were attentive and were involved in the entire session.
Download the list of questions in .PDF format, to practice with them later, or to use them on your interview template (if you want to crack Interview):
Conclusion
Becoming a lifeguard is not as fancy as depicted in movies or television shows. It requires a great deal of responsibility, quick decision-making, and leadership skills. A decent pay with social recognition and respect makes the prospects of this job bright and attractive. Keep revising your preparation and don’t do anything new at the last hour. If you like our article, then do share them with your family and friends. Also, comment in the section below, and do let us know how you feel about our articles.
References
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