It is a known fact that the socio-political scenario of a nation reflects upon the economic sectors. Therefore, Government agencies, public relations sectors, and many non-government organizations appoint political scientists to understand the market growth.
The recruiters put the candidates through critical questioning to decide on the best person fit for the role of a political scientist. Here we’ll list out 20 such common political scientist interview questions along with answers to help your preparation for the same.
1. Why Are You Interested In This Role?
With this question, the recruiter wants to understand what drives you inspired for this role. Therefore, you need to state your passion for the job and back up your answer with past experiences in the same field.
Sample Answer
“I joined as a junior public policy analyst in a non-government organization right after college. I worked there for three years and understood how public policies work in sync with the national interest. Apart from that, I grew an immense passion for the socio-economic structures of our country during my masters. Also, I come from a politically aware family as both my parents are bureaucrats.”
2. What Are The Roles Of A Political Scientist?
The question checks your knowledge required to play the role of a political scientist. The interviewer wants to know how much you know about the job. So, share the details of all the roles that a political scientist would perform.
Sample Answer
“The primary role of a political scientist is to analyze the current socio-political scenario of a nation. Besides that, he/she would research and decode the changing policy patterns; and depict how these changes would affect a company’s economic growth. He/she would also evaluate the social and public interests.”
3. What Are The Qualities That A Political Scientist Need To Be Successful?
With this query, the interviewer wants to understand how well-informed you are regarding the job role. So, state all the essential traits and qualities that are mandatory for a political scientist to be successful.
Sample Answer
“An updated knowledge about the current political scenario of a nation is a prerequisite for this role. In addition, sound knowledge in public relations and foreign policies are mandatory. Apart from that, analytical and communication skills are some necessary traits required for a political scientist. An added passion for reading and researching would help the job further.”
4. What Major Challenges Did You Face During Your Last Role? How Did You Manage Them?
Through this question, the recruiter might want to check your problem-solving capabilities. Draw your answer from past job experiences and state an issue that you resolved successfully and how.
Sample Answer
“During my first job as a junior policy analyst, I was a newbie and didn’t know how to conduct a public opinion survey effectively. It was a huge role for me as a fresher. I had a team of fellow freshers and a couple of seniors. I understood the virtue of communication from that difficult job and successfully conducted the survey with prominent results.”
5. Describe Your Daily Routine As A Political Scientist?
Here the hiring authority wants to tap into your organizing skills and try to understand how you schedule your daily job. So come prepared with a proper daily scheduling plan as a political scientist.
Sample Answer
“As a political scientist, my daily job would involve researching and analyzing data. I would primarily indulge in analyzing and making relevant notes on changing government policies. Besides that, I would lead my team to collect data through public poles. Finally, I would research the forthcoming socio-economic changes and analyze how that would have an impact on the organization I work for.”
6. Describe Briefly About Your Experience.
With this question, the recruiter simply wants to check your work experience and how relevant that is for the role. So, clearly provide all the information about your previous job experience.
Sample Answer
“I started working as a junior public policy analyst at a non-government organization right after my master’s degree in political science. After working there for three years, I switched the company and joined as a senior policy analyst at CRUX Consulting Services. I worked there for two years and gathered practical knowledge on policy making, understanding the relationship between government policies and their impact on the business economy.”
7. What Kind Of Strategies And Mindset Is Required For This Role?
Through this query, the recruiter wants to check if you have a clear idea about the strategies and mindset required for this job. Provide all the skills and strategies that you have acquired through your past experiences.
Sample Answer
“The job role suggests that a political scientist needs an analytical mind to perform a large amount of data analysis. Therefore, the basic strategy is to undergo thorough research and evaluate the reports based on facts. Another strategy is to master the art of public speaking. The next strategy is to build an understanding of the cost-benefit of a company policy.”
8. What Is The Biggest Challenge That You Foresee In This Job?
With this query, the interviewer wishes to understand how far your knowledge is about the organization you look forward to working with. Hence, come prepared with proper research about the organization.
Sample Answer
“I’m a risk-taker by passion. New challenges excite me. Also, I have done a fair amount of research about your esteemed organization before coming for this interview. However, I’ve yet to come across a part that seems like a challenge that is impossible to take up.”
9. How Do You Stay Motivated In Your Work?
Here the recruiter taps into your take on positivity and what drives you to choose this job. So answer carefully about what keeps you driven for this role.
Sample Answer
“I believe balance is the key. I try to introspect thoroughly whenever I get time. Besides that, I’m a workaholic person and quite passionate about the field. So, the work never feels like a job to me. Moreover, I look up to successful people to seek inspiration.”
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10. Describe A Time When You Failed In This Role And The Lesson You Learnt?
Through this question, the recruiter checks your credibility to handle the role and how good you are at accepting failure. While answering it, try to focus on the positive lessons you learned from your past failure.
Sample Answer
“During my first job, I had to calculate a large amount of data from a public opinion poll. Like most newcomers, I was too shy to seek help from seniors and eventually lost all track while calculating. As a result, I ended up with a result far from the expected one. Thanks to my boss, I escaped an immediate fire from the company! However, I learned how necessary it is to pay undivided attention at the job desk.”
11. Why Do You Feel You Are The Most Suited For This Role?
Here, the hiring authority checks if you have those factors that the organization needs in its recruited political scientist. Deliver only the criteria that will cater to their needs.
Sample Answer
“I have a job experience of 5 years in this field that helped me gather practical knowledge apart from academic degrees. I understand the socio-political scenario of the nation, and I thoroughly research to keep updated on the changing government policies. Besides that, I have a good reputation as a public speaker since college.”
12. Share With Us Your Greatest Achievement.
Here, the interviewer hints at your past work experience to choose an achievement that you consider as the biggest so far. So, state an achievement that highlights the facts that will help you land the job.
Sample Answer
“In my last job, I stumbled upon a pretty complicated data analysis based on the current economic policy. I had to foresee the upcoming market crash, which was barely possible at that moment. So, I researched all the previous government policy documents to decode the pattern of the economy. Fortunately, I managed to save my organization from the coming disaster.”
13. How Do You See The Importance Of Public Speaking In This Role?
This is the question that the recruiter asks to understand how fluent you are at communicating with others. So bring to the table your public speaking skills.
Sample Answer
“Communication is a fundamental need for any job role. But a political scientist should master the art of public speaking to inspire the team effectively. Besides, a political scientist has to deal with policy making and explaining the same to others. a fluid explanation can simplify and accelerate the job process for the team.”
14. What Do You Understand By Foreign Policies?
Here the interviewer tries to understand how much you know about foreign policies. So, highlight your knowledge about foreign policies.
Sample Answer
“Foreign policies are basically a collection of predefined strategies systematically implemented to supervise my country’s relationship with other countries worldwide. The development of these policies depends on the policy of other countries, domestic values, and geopolitical designs. Thus, a country’s foreign policy reflects traditional values and cultures.”
15. As A Political Scientist, How Would You Define The Laissez-Faire Policy?
Through this question, the hiring authority seeks to understand your knowledge regarding the Laissez-Faire Policy. So, explain this subject matter using your level of proficiency.
Sample Answer
“The French term Laissez-Faire loosely translates into “Leave Alone.” The primary motive of this policy is keeping the government away from the economy, i.e., doing business without excessive government intervention. Therefore, it is an ideal economic growth model as it provides opportunities for individuals to build their wealth.”
16. How Would You Differentiate Between Autocracy And Democracy?
Here the recruiter tactfully checks your expertise to distinguish between autocracy and democracy. So, make sure to point out certain areas to put yourself in a desirable position.
Sample Answer
“An autocrat is defined as a ruler with absolute power. A person who has inherited as the ruler of that country and thus, practicing absolute authority. Some examples of autocratic countries include North Korea, Morocco. But a democracy is where people have the right to elect the governing body. Here, the actual rulers are the country’s citizens, for example, the USA, India.”
17. Why Do You Think The Economic Progress Of A Nation Lags Behind?
With this question, the interviewer seeks to know about your reasoning skills for evaluating economic progress. So, use your experience and knowledge to answer this question.
Sample Answer
“There are several underlying reasons for this problem, like poor health and education facilities, political instability, and a lack of infrastructure. In some cases, certain government policies create social unrest inside the country. Thus, it is also responsible for slowing down economic growth.”
18. What Do You Consider As Your Biggest Weakness?
Through this question, the hiring authority seeks to understand your biggest weakness. So, point out your greatest weakness and avoid giving out any personal issues.
Sample Answer
“Well, working professionally as a political scientist made me realize my weaknesses. For starters, I’m not very spontaneous with prompt actions. I do my research in advance. Also, I tend to focus on every minute detail. However, this trait turns out helpful in critical situations.”
19. How Does The Socio-Economic Situation Of A Country Affect The Business Sector?
This is a tricky question. Here, the hiring authority wants to know about your in-depth expertise in this field. So, use your knowledge and professional skills to evaluate the answer.
Sample Answer
“I believe any country’s socio-economic situation is vital for the business sector. For example, belief systems, traditional rituals, and customs help shape people’s mindsets. Thus, market decisions and trends are deeply rooted in socio-economic situations.”
20. How Good Are You At Adapting To Work Pressure?
Here, the recruiter seeks to know how adaptable you are to work pressure. So, mention all the techniques you use to handle work pressure.
Sample Answer
“I have been working actively in this profession for several years, and work pressure has been there for most of the time. So far, I have handled work pressure with responsibility and precision. In addition, I always prefer to multitask in pressure situations.”
Conclusion
A political scientist can enlighten an organization regarding the current policies, public opinions, and economic growth of a country. Hence, the recruitment of a political scientist requires much more than the relevant academic degrees of the candidates. So, are you aspiring to become a political scientist? Then watch out for these popular questions so that you don’t have to hit the interview floor under-prepared.
