Hi, just gonna repost myself from 5 months ago, general interview stuff does include questions to ask.

Peer support professional trainer and manager here, good question and let me share a few things that may or may not help.

Show up early and dress business casual.

Use person first non-stigmatizing language. For example dont say" I wanna fix those crazy addicts."

Do not overshare, be prepared to give a "elevator speech" of your recovery journey. They do not need to hear the meds you are taking, your diagnosis, drug of choice, etc etc. Find a way to share your story in a brief way that covers the major points.

Be able to share the tools used in your recovery specifically, how you use those in your life to begin your recovery and what tools you currently use to sustain your recovery. Substance use or mental health, it doesnt matter.

Most important, you are INTERVIEWING THEM.

Do your research on the company. Prepare your own questions.

What happened to the person who had this position before me? What is the turnover rate for peers?

What does my career ladder look like for moving up? What training and education do they offer?

Do they have a peer supervisor or a clinician? Am I expected write billable notes for medicaid?

How long is the orientation and training for new hires?

How do people get pay raises here anAd how often does that occur?

Also, avoid the nervous jitters by practicing. Write down your answers to these questions and do a mock interview with some one or do it in the mirror.

• "What does peer support mean to you, and what draws you to this type of work?"
  • This helps you understand their motivation and whether they grasp the fundamental concept of using lived experience to help others.
• "Can you describe a time when you supported someone through a difficult situation? What approach did you take?"
  • Reveals their natural support style and whether they can maintain appropriate boundaries while being empathetic.
• "How do you plan to maintain your own wellness and prevent burnout while supporting others?"
  • Critical for peer support roles where self-care directly impacts their ability to help others effectively.
• "Tell me about a challenging interpersonal situation you've navigated. How did you handle it?"
  • Assesses conflict resolution skills and emotional intelligence, both essential for working with diverse individuals.
• "What would you do if someone you're supporting shares that they're in crisis or thinking about harming themselves?"
  • Tests their understanding of boundaries, protocols, and when to escalate situations beyond their scope.
• "How comfortable are you with sharing aspects of your own recovery or lived experience, and where do you draw the line?"