7/25/2019 Formal Volunteering Tool - Recruitment
Checklist.pdf
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Volunteering Queensland Tool
FORMAL VOLUNTEERING - RECRUITMENT CHECKLIST- 1
The following tools are useful when planning for and utilising
volunteers in Formal Volunteering Programs.
Pre-Recruitment Checklist
Have staff been consulted regarding volunteer involvement and
are they clear on what their role will bein working with the
volunteer?
Is there a clear infrastructure of support and supervision
established for the involvement of volunteers? Is there information
available about volunteering in your organisation? Do we have a
good idea of what kind of volunteer we are looking for? Do we have
a good idea of what kind of application we are NOT looking for? Is
there a job description written for this position?
Do the position descriptions clearly identify the requirements
of the role and outline both the purposeand the nature of the work
to be done? Are recruitment, interview and induction process for
volunteers in place? Is there an appropriate person to interview
and support volunteers through the process? Is there an agreed
process for determining the suitability and job-match for
volunteers? Do we know what we will do with unsuitable applicants?
(There is always VQ) Have we got enough work (and meaningful work)
for them to do?
Dos and Donts of Recruitment interviews
In successful Volunteer Programs, a key focus is reciprocity;
that is mutually satisfying both the needs of thevolunteer and of
the organisation. One of the keys to a successful partnership with
volunteers is matchingeach volunteer effectively with the work to
be done.
The initial interview with a volunteer provides the opportunity
to establish the importance of the reciprocalrelationship between
the volunteer and the organisation.
Dont
Ask leading questions
Make decisions too early Shorten the interview so that all the
information required is not obtained from or by the potential
volunteer
Talk too much Let the conversation wander Let prejudices
interfere Judge on personality alone Concentrate on the next
question rather than listening to responses
Allow interruptions Believe everything you are told
www.volqld.org.au
7/25/2019 Formal Volunteering Tool - Recruitment
Checklist.pdf
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Volunteering Queensland Tool
FORMAL VOLUNTEERING - RECRUITMENT CHECKLIST - 2
Do:
Allocate an appropriate amount of time for the interview
conversation Read the potential volunteers application prior to the
interview Find a comfortable place free of interruptions for your
conversation Recognise that the potential volunteer is likely to be
nervous about being interviewed and try to help
them feel comfortable
When asking questions of the potential volunteer try to ask open
ended questions that encourage theapplicant to provide information.
Open ended questions usually start with what, how, where,when, why
or who.
Listen and be honest Remember the 80/20 rule where the potential
volunteer should do eighty percent of the talking during
the interview
Seek information from the applicant including:o background,
interests and motivationso capacity and potential for involvement
based on skills, experience, knowledge and abilities,
values and attitudes
o level of understanding about the work involved in the
volunteer programo issues of concern to themo some insight into
their work style and preferences
o clarification of their expectationso their interests,
abilities and motivationso how these might match with appropriate
roles
Give information about the Volunteer Program Provide a clear
idea of the work that needs to be done Outline clearly what the job
entails Clarify and discuss parts of the role which are
non-negotiable and areas for flexibility Follow-up with the
volunteer to confirm they are comfortable with the role
Address questions and concerns Have a standardised process
Discuss the benefits of volunteering in the Program Have policy and
procedures available for applicants to access Adhere to
anti-discrimination laws Ensure applicants understand their rights
and responsibilities as volunteers Ensure confidentiality (for them
and by them) Develop and sign a Volunteer Agreement
Communicate insurance requirements and entitlements
www.volqld.org.au
7/25/2019 Formal Volunteering Tool - Recruitment
Checklist.pdf
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Volunteering Queensland Tool
FORMAL VOLUNTEERING INTERVIEW QUESTIONS - 3
Interview Questions
What is your reason/ motivation for wanting to volunteer?
Why are you interested in volunteering?
What attracted you to this Volunteer Program?
What attracted you to our organisation?
How did you find out about our organisation?
How did you find out about volunteer opportunities with our
organisation?
What do you know about our organisation?
How did you find out about opportunities within this Volunteer
Program?
What type of volunteer experience have you had?
Understanding the reasons why people want to volunteer is useful
in identifying and maintaining volunteersmotivation and making an
appropriate work match.
What are the things you like to do and can do fairly well?
How could you contribute to the Volunteer Program?
How could you contribute to the organisation?
What do you have to offer the Volunteer Program?
Describe your involvement in previous types of work.
What skills and experience could you bring to the Volunteer
Program?
What types of volunteer experience have you had?
Here you try to explore the current skills, knowledge, interests
and potential of the volunteer.
What are the things you would l ike to do or have an interest in
learning?
What types of things do you enjoy doing most?
What qualifications or specific skills do you have an interest
in obtaining?
If you were successful in gaining a volunteer position with us,
what would you like to do?
How could you contribute most effectively to assist the
Volunteer Program achieve its mission?
Too often interviewers only focus on current skills and
abilities, without realising the enthusiasm and
commitment of volunteers to learn new skills and abilities.
Questions such as these are critical if you wish to
focus on capacity and potential.
What are the things you do not want to do and are clearly of f
limits?
What have you enjoyed least about your previous volunteer/work
roles?
What were the major challenges of your previous volunteer
experiences?
What areas within the volunteer Program do not interest you and
why?
Volunteers are not expected to do every type of work within the
Volunteer Program. What are you notcomfortable or not interested in
doing?
Here the interviewer seeks to identify what volunteers dislike
and don't want to do, but feel awkward about
raising.
Do you have any special needs or requirements in doing this
work?
www.volqld.org.au
