Top interview questions to expect

1. Tell us why you chose speech-language pathology?
2. Describe a time you worked with a challenging child or client.
3. How do you stay up-to-date on the latest developments in speech-language pathology?
4. What are your strengths and weaknesses as a speech-language pathologist?
5. Can you describe a time when you had to adapt your treatment plan to meet a client’s changing needs?
6. How do you build rapport with children and their families?
7. What is your approach to collaborating with other professionals to provide comprehensive care?

Check the latest questions for this role:

Answering interview questions with STAR structure

The STAR framework is a commonly used method for answering behavioral interview questions effectively. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. When answering using this framework, start by setting the context of the situation or task you were faced with. Then, explain the specific actions you took to address the situation or complete the task. Finally, describe the positive results or outcomes of your actions. This structure ensures you provide a clear and concise response that highlights your skills and abilities.

Sample answers to above interview questions

1. Question: Tell us why you chose speech-language pathology?
Answer: I’ve always been passionate about helping people communicate effectively. In high school, I volunteered at a local speech therapy clinic, and it was there that I saw firsthand how speech-language pathologists can make a real difference in people’s lives. I was particularly inspired by a young boy named Tommy who had difficulty speaking due to a stroke. With the help of his speech-language pathologist, Tommy was able to make significant progress in his speech, and it was incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact that therapy had on his life. This experience solidified my decision to pursue a career as a speech-language pathologist.

Explanation: This answer is strong because it uses the STAR framework to provide a clear and concise response. The candidate starts by describing the situation (volunteering at a speech therapy clinic), then explains the task (helping a young boy with difficulty speaking), and the actions taken (providing speech therapy). Finally, the candidate describes the positive result (the boy made significant progress in his speech).
2. Question: Describe a time you worked with a challenging child or client.
Answer: In my previous role, I worked with a 5-year-old girl named Sarah who had autism. Sarah was nonverbal and had difficulty communicating her needs and wants. Initially, it was challenging to build rapport with Sarah, but I made a conscious effort to learn about her interests and find ways to connect with her. Over time, Sarah began to trust me and became more willing to engage in therapy. I used a variety of techniques to help Sarah communicate, including sign language, picture cards, and visual aids. With patience and persistence, Sarah made significant progress in her communication skills. By the end of therapy, she was able to use simple phrases to express her needs and wants.

Explanation: This answer is strong because it demonstrates the candidate’s ability to work with challenging clients. The candidate describes the situation (working with a nonverbal child with autism), the task (building rapport and teaching communication skills), the actions taken (using a variety of techniques to help the child communicate), and the positive result (the child made significant progress in her communication skills).
3. Question: How do you stay up-to-date on the latest developments in speech-language pathology?
Answer: I believe that it’s important to stay current on the latest developments in speech-language pathology in order to provide the best possible care to my clients. I regularly attend conferences and workshops to learn about new research and techniques. I also subscribe to several professional journals and online resources to stay informed about the latest trends in the field. Additionally, I network with other speech-language pathologists to share ideas and learn from their experiences.

Explanation: This answer is strong because it demonstrates the candidate’s commitment to professional development. The candidate describes the actions taken to stay up-to-date (attending conferences and workshops, subscribing to journals and online resources, and networking with other professionals), and the positive result (being able to provide the best possible care to clients).
4. Question: What are your strengths and weaknesses as a speech-language pathologist?
Answer: My strengths include my patience, creativity, and ability to connect with children and their families. I am also a good listener and have a strong understanding of the principles of speech-language pathology. My weakness is that I am sometimes a bit of a perfectionist, and I can be hard on myself if I don’t see results immediately. However, I am working on this, and I am confident that I will be able to overcome this weakness in time.

Explanation: This answer is strong because it demonstrates the candidate’s self-awareness and willingness to improve. The candidate identifies both strengths (patience, creativity, ability to connect with children and families) and weaknesses (perfectionism), and explains how they are working to overcome their weakness.
5. Question: Can you describe a time when you had to adapt your treatment plan to meet a client’s changing needs?
Answer: In my previous role, I worked with a client who had a stroke. Initially, the client was able to communicate verbally, but as their condition progressed, they lost their ability to speak. I had to adapt my treatment plan to meet their changing needs. I began using a variety of alternative communication methods, such as sign language, picture cards, and a communication board. I also worked closely with the client’s family to ensure that they were able to communicate effectively with their loved one.

Explanation: This answer is strong because it demonstrates the candidate’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances. The candidate describes the situation (client losing their ability to speak), the task (adapting the treatment plan), the actions taken (using a variety of alternative communication methods and working with the client’s family), and the positive result (the client was able to communicate effectively with their loved one).
6. Question: How do you build rapport with children and their families?
Answer: I believe that building rapport with children and their families is essential for successful therapy. I take the time to get to know my clients and their families, and I make an effort to understand their unique needs and concerns. I also use humor and play to help children feel comfortable and engaged in therapy. I believe that it’s important to be patient and understanding with children, and I always try to make therapy fun and rewarding.

Explanation: This answer is strong because it demonstrates the candidate’s ability to build relationships with children and their families. The candidate describes the actions taken to build rapport (getting to know clients and their families, using humor and play, being patient and understanding), and the positive result (children feel comfortable and engaged in therapy).
7. Question: What is your approach to collaborating with other professionals to provide comprehensive care?
Answer: I believe that collaboration is essential for providing comprehensive care to clients. I am always willing to work with other professionals, such as teachers, doctors, and psychologists, to ensure that my clients are receiving the best possible care. I am also proactive in communicating with other professionals to keep them updated on my clients’ progress. I believe that by working together, we can provide the best possible care to our clients.

Explanation: This answer is strong because it demonstrates the candidate’s commitment to collaboration. The candidate describes the actions taken to collaborate with other professionals (being willing to work with other professionals, communicating with other professionals to keep them updated on clients’ progress), and the positive result (providing the best possible care to clients).