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March 18, 2009
Interviewing with not-for-profits
I was speaking with someone who was interviewing at a not-for-profit organization. Here are some tips to take into account when interviewing with this type of organization.
Know the mission:
Not-for-profits are mission-driven (ideally), so understand the mission. This is IN ADDITION to the organization's work and circumstances. Know what you are getting into by taking time to internalize the organization's mission.
Convey your passion:
Since not-for-profits are mission-driven, you must convey your passion for the mission. The question "why do you want to work here?" is one of the most important questions in the interview. Spend time to really understand why you care about the organization's work. Be authentic. Dig deep.
Show initiative:
Not-for-profits often have to do much with very little resources, so show that you can be scrappy. Show that you can learn quickly, be self-starting and take feedback in stride. Needing initiative comes with the territory, so to speak, in the case of not-for-profits.
Of course, general advice about interviews apply to a not-for-profit interview. These tips merely address some circumstances unique to organizations in this sector.
-nt
Posted by ntambe at March 18, 2009 04:38 PM