Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Policy Goals • Program Evaluation • Policy Diffusion

Program Evaluation

Term from Public Policy Consulting industry explained for recruiters

Program Evaluation is a systematic way to assess if government programs, non-profit initiatives, or public services are working as intended and achieving their goals. It's like a report card for public programs, where experts gather information, analyze data, and make recommendations for improvements. This helps organizations understand if they're spending money effectively and truly helping their target communities. Think of it as a thorough check-up that tells organizations what's working, what isn't, and how they can do better.

Examples in Resumes

Led Program Evaluation of state-wide education initiative, resulting in 30% budget optimization

Conducted Program Evaluation and Impact Assessment for healthcare outreach programs

Designed and implemented Program Evaluation framework for youth employment services

Managed Program Evaluation and Program Assessment projects for federal housing initiatives

Typical job title: "Program Evaluators"

Also try searching for:

Program Analyst Evaluation Specialist Impact Assessment Consultant Policy Analyst Research Evaluation Specialist Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Program Assessment Consultant

Where to Find Program Evaluators

Professional Associations

Job Boards

Professional Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: Can you describe a challenging program evaluation you led and how you handled stakeholder resistance to change?

Expected Answer: Look for answers that show experience managing complex evaluations, stakeholder management skills, and ability to communicate difficult findings diplomatically while maintaining evaluation integrity.

Q: How do you ensure evaluation findings are actually used by organizations to improve their programs?

Expected Answer: Strong answers should discuss strategies for stakeholder engagement throughout the process, clear communication of findings, and practical, actionable recommendations.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What methods would you use to evaluate a program with limited data availability?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of various data collection methods, both quantitative and qualitative, and ability to work with constraints while still producing valuable insights.

Q: How do you determine which evaluation approach is most appropriate for different types of programs?

Expected Answer: Should show understanding of different evaluation methods and ability to match them to program needs, budget constraints, and stakeholder requirements.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the basic steps in conducting a program evaluation?

Expected Answer: Should be able to outline the fundamental steps: planning, data collection, analysis, and reporting, with basic understanding of each phase.

Q: How do you collect data for program evaluation?

Expected Answer: Should mention common methods like surveys, interviews, focus groups, and document review, showing basic understanding of data collection approaches.