Meeting the NonProfit: Ten Interviewing Tips The job interview can be a stressful experience if youre not prepared.

Interviewing in the nonprofit sector is no exception especially as every organi!ation has its own uni"ue #ission$ culture$ and expectations. Thats why the staff at %o##ongood %areers has co#piled their expert advice to help you put your best foot forward when interviewing with a nonprofit organi!ation. Tip #1: Connect with the Mission &one are the days when just wanting to 'do good$( 'give bac)$( and 'have a positive i#pact( were acceptable reasons to pursue wor) in the nonprofit sector. Today$ hiring #anagers value true co##it#ent* candidates need prove their individual connection to the organi!ational #ission with specificity and de#onstrated action. Thin) about the real reason you are applying to the position and be thoughtful about co##unicating that. +escribing volunteer wor) or board affiliations can be a great way of illustrating your co##it#ent to a #ission. Tip #2: Do Your Homework and Prepare Questions Many hiring #anagers base a great deal of their decision #a)ing on the "uestions a candidate as)s during the interview. %o#e prepared with "uestions for each of the interviewers with who# you will be #eeting. Ma)e sure the "uestions are ones that will de#onstrate the research you have done on the organi!ation,field and showcase your critical thin)ing s)ills. '-hat is your budget.( is a "uestion that a good candidate would already )now the answer to after having done so#e si#ple on line research. / "uestion such as 'I recently read that the state is considering cutting its funding for after school progra#s. 0ow is your organi!ation prepared to handle this develop#ent.( shows that you are up to date on develop#ents in the field and have #ade the connection between so#ething you read and the potential i#pact on this particular organi!ation. Tip #3: Practice Responses head o! Time 0iring #anagers are s#art and savvy people who are trying to uncover every stone. If you are currently e#ployed$ they will li)ely as) why you are interested in leaving your current position. If you are not currently e#ployed$ they will li)ely as) you why you left your last position and what you have been doing since leaving. If you are switching careers or sectors$ they will li)ely as) you about this decision and your #otivations. Thin) ahead about what "uestions the interviewer1s2 #ight as) you about your career progression$ gaps in your resu#e$ and other experiences. 3e prepared to answer these "uestions in a #anner that is honest$ positive$ and forward loo)ing. Put yourselves in the interviewers shoes and decide whether your planned responses would see# logical and plausible.

Tip #": #n$uire %out the #nter&iew 'tructure 4very nonprofit organi!ation will structure their interview processes differently. It is i#portant to get a sense ahead of ti#e about how the interview will wor): with who# you will be #eeting$ how the interview will be structured 1one on one$ panel$ case$ etc.2$ and approxi#ately how long it will last. /rrive early$ #a)ing sure you )now exactly where to go and planning enough travel ti#e. 5e#e#ber that you never )now who you are tal)ing to when you arrive* the person behind the reception des) could be the 4xecutive +irector or another i#portant decision #a)er. Tip #(: Dress to #mpress There is a wide variety of dress codes a#ong nonprofit organi!ations$ ranging fro# jeans to suits. 6or any interview$ unless specifically told otherwise$ it is best to dress professionally in a tailored suit or professional separates* it is better to over dress than to under dress. 7eep everything subtle: perfu#e,cologne$ clothing$ #a)eup$ and accessories. If ti#e per#its$ go to the restroo# upon arrival to ensure that you loo) presentable. If part of the interview includes visiting the progra# site$ for exa#ple$ you #ay as) an organi!ational representative prior to the interview what would be appropriate attire. Tip #): *rin+ the ,oods 3ring at least 8 copies of your resu#e and cover letter$ a list of references$ and 8 9 wor) or writing sa#ples. :ou never )now what the interviewer will re"uest. /lso$ having wor) sa#ples available can be a good visual to de#onstrate your co#petency in certain areas. Tip #-: 'e.. Yourse.! 7now exactly why you want this specific position and exactly why you want to wor) at this specific organi!ation. 3e able to outline clearly and concisely the s)ills$ experience$ and value that you will bring to the position. Tip #/: #..ustrate a Can0Do ttitude -hile hard s)ills are very i#portant to nonprofit hiring #anagers$ personality and culture fit are e"ually$ if not #ore$ i#portant. 3eing positive$ s#art$ articulate$ energetic$ thoughtful$ flexible$ and passionate are crucial characteristics in #ost nonprofit environ#ents$ so #aintain your confidence and positive attitude. ;ob searching is difficult but no one wants to hire so#eone who see#s unenthusiastic$ de#orali!ed$ or defeated. 5e#e#ber that body language is an i#portant techni"ue for co##unicating interest and engage#ent. Tip #1: *e Discreet %out Past 2mp.o3ers The nonprofit environ#ent is s#all and close )nit. It is li)ely that the person with who#

you are interviewing )nows one or #ore of your previous e#ployers or organi!ations. 3e prepared to give thoughtful and professional answers if an interviewer as)s you about your experience with a certain person or organi!ation. No one will want to hire so#eone who critici!es or gossips about for#er e#ployers$ as they will expect that you will do the sa#e to the# or their organi!ation. Tip #14: Hi+h.i+ht Your 5.e6i%i.it3 Nonprofit hiring #anagers are very busy and unexpected situations arise fre"uently. :our reaction to unexpected circu#stances will say a lot about how you #ight handle such circu#stances if e#ployed at the organi!ation. /t the sa#e ti#e$ you want to #a)e sure that you are being treated professionally. If it loo)s li)e an interview isnt actually going to happen$ or if the hiring #anager see#s too distracted to have an effective interview$ offer to co#e bac) at a #ore convenient ti#e. 5ina..3: Remem%er to 5o..ow0up ;ust as #any hiring #anagers decide not to proceed with a candidate because of typos in a cover letter$ they also #ay not proceed with your candidacy if you do not send a than) you note after your interview* this is viewed as a professional courtesy as well as an exa#ple of your ability to identify and execute effective follow up. -hile hand written notes are still ideal$ e#ail than) yous have beco#e generally acceptable. 7onPro!it #nter&iew 8o% Tips

5eview /gency -ebsite 3efore the interview be sure to review the agency<s webite to gain an understanding of the agency<s #ission$ culture and values. Ta)e the ti#e to read every section and ta)e notes on what you read and create a list of "uestions. Note the organi!ational structure and evaluate how your role fits in with that of other depart#ents. =earn the na#es of top #anage#ent and read their biographies$ if available. The #ore fa#iliar you beco#e with all aspects of the agency$ the #ore substantial will your contribution to the conversation. +o >o#e 5esearch Ta)e the ti#e to read about any recent policy changes or news events that have affected the agency and prepare "uestions that illustrate this research. / "uestion such as$ ?I recently read that the state is cutting bac) on supportive housing vouchers. 0ow will this i#pact the services of the agency.? shows that you are current on recent develop#ents in the field. >pea) to Mission Most nonprofits want to see evidence of allegiance to the wor) of their agency. Nonprofit careers tend to be lower paying than jobs in the private sector$ and often co#e with added levels of stress and conse"uent burnout. 6or these reasons$ there can be a

?revolving door? aspect to staff turnover that results in #anage#ent being overly cautious in who# they bring on board. In preparation for the interview$ thin) about what #ade you first apply to the position. Is the agency involved with a cause that is i#portant to you. If so$ explain why and how this personal attach#ent to the cause will result in your long ter# co##it#ent. 3e sure to discuss any prior wor) in the nonprofit sector$ even if of a voluntary nature.

3e 6lexible Much of the wor) in the nonprofit sector involves nontraditional hours$ to include evenings and wee)ends. %risis situations can also arise that will necessitate wor)ing past your shift. 3efore #oving forward with the interview process$ perfor# an honest self inventory regarding whether the off hours$ scattered schedule and potential unpredictability of your wor)day are aspects of the job to which you can adjust. If so$ #a)e sure that you clearly co##unicate this flexibility during the interview. +e#onstrate Positive /ttitude -hile #ost nonprofits are #ission driven$ they also have a definite culture that usually places a pre#iu# on hard wor) and collaboration. +uring the course of the interview you will want to co##unicate a ?pitch in? attitude and explain how you #ay best contribute your s)ills and talents. Provide exa#ples of situations in which you were involved with a tea#$ and of how you have gone the extra #ile in past e#ploy#ent. The goal is to highlight how your wor) style #eshes perfectly with that of the agency. +ress Professionally /lthough #any nonprofits have a relaxed dress code$ be sure to dress professionally during your interview. 4rr on the side of being conservative with regard to jewelry$ #a)eup or cologne.