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Original poster

Anyone had a job interview at a Catholic church before?

9 replies

GoGoGoFigureItOut · 27/04/2023 11:52

I've got a job interview for a part-time admin position at a Catholic church. I've never worked or interviewed at a church before so I have no idea what to expect and it's making me feel very nervous.

I assume they will be asking all of the standard admin interview job questions (weaknesses, strengths, competency questions around time management, organisation, etc etc) but will they ask about my faith? The job description didn't say you have to be Catholic, just that you have to be sympathetic to the ministry and mission of the church.

I would describe myself as a Christian (C of E), although I don't attend church for the most part, but is it likely they will ask anything about that? I don't want to be questioned on why I don't attend a church currently or anything! I can't really see that it would be relevant to the job, as it's only admin, but I have no idea if it is something they will bring up.

Has anyone interviewed with a Catholic church before (or any church, really)? I feel a bit out of my depth not having any idea what to expect so would really appreciate hearing anyone's experiences.

Thank you!

OP posts:
Quveas · 27/04/2023 13:26

I think it depends on the individual church. I haven't had a job interview, but I have had another kind of interview, and I ended up telling them where to shove it because they asked about my views on contraception and abortion. Which I did give them my views on the subjects, my views on the churches teachings on the subjects, and my views on church misogyny before telling them where to shove it. That said, I did once work for the Jesuits, and they were more liberal than that particular church!

BatshitCrazyWoman · 27/04/2023 13:31

I have, OP, I work for a religious charity. They didn't ask about my beliefs. Obviously you do need to be sympathetic to the mission. But there's no need to be nervous. I love working here, it's the best place I've ever worked and the people are fantastic.

BatshitCrazyWoman · 27/04/2023 13:32

Quveas · 27/04/2023 13:26

I think it depends on the individual church. I haven't had a job interview, but I have had another kind of interview, and I ended up telling them where to shove it because they asked about my views on contraception and abortion. Which I did give them my views on the subjects, my views on the churches teachings on the subjects, and my views on church misogyny before telling them where to shove it. That said, I did once work for the Jesuits, and they were more liberal than that particular church!

I'd love to know which of the Jesuit works you worked in ...

Quveas · 27/04/2023 13:37

BatshitCrazyWoman · 27/04/2023 13:32

I'd love to know which of the Jesuit works you worked in ...

Show quote history

If you know the Jesuits - JVC.

BatshitCrazyWoman · 27/04/2023 13:43

Quveas · 27/04/2023 13:37

If you know the Jesuits - JVC.

Show quote history

I do, and I do 😁

Original poster
GoGoGoFigureItOut · 27/04/2023 14:18

Quveas · 27/04/2023 13:26

I think it depends on the individual church. I haven't had a job interview, but I have had another kind of interview, and I ended up telling them where to shove it because they asked about my views on contraception and abortion. Which I did give them my views on the subjects, my views on the churches teachings on the subjects, and my views on church misogyny before telling them where to shove it. That said, I did once work for the Jesuits, and they were more liberal than that particular church!

Hopefully I won't be asked anything like that as it definitely isn't relevant to the job! I already know not all of my beliefs align with the Catholic church but hopefully it won't be too big a problem for them as it isn't for me.

OP posts:
Original poster
GoGoGoFigureItOut · 27/04/2023 14:27

BatshitCrazyWoman · 27/04/2023 13:31

I have, OP, I work for a religious charity. They didn't ask about my beliefs. Obviously you do need to be sympathetic to the mission. But there's no need to be nervous. I love working here, it's the best place I've ever worked and the people are fantastic.

That's good that they didn't ask about your beliefs. In the interview process, were you asked about being sympathetic to the mission or anything like that? I'm not really sure how to go about demonstrating that, other than saying I am.

I had an interview (not for a church) last week and was nervous but I feel so much more nervous about this one (not helped by a dream I had where I was being interviewed during a church meeting so there were loads of people there!), I think it's just because it's something I've never done before. The job sounds interesting, lots of variety, and as long as the days/hours work with when I'm available, I think it could be a good job but I'm a bit worried they're going to be turned off by the fact that I don't go to church and live with my DP etc. I don't think it's really relevant to the job to be a Catholic (or a Christian at all really) as long as you don't mind the fact that you'd be working for an organisation that is, so hopefully that won't be a problem but it is making me a bit nervous.

I feel like I know more what to expect with a normal office interview as I've been through that plenty but this feels like a different kettle of fish!

OP posts:
BatshitCrazyWoman · 27/04/2023 16:58

I wasn't asked about being sympathetic to their beliefs at interview. It was a pretty standard interview, from what I remember (it was a while ago now).

Original poster
GoGoGoFigureItOut · 27/04/2023 19:36

BatshitCrazyWoman · 27/04/2023 16:58

I wasn't asked about being sympathetic to their beliefs at interview. It was a pretty standard interview, from what I remember (it was a while ago now).

That is good to know, thank you! Hopefully it will be a standard interview then and I'm panicking about nothing!

OP posts:
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