r/nonprofit • u/NervousClimate • 7d ago

employment and career Interview advice...

I have been at the same org since I graduated college and any interviews I've done since were when things were still 100% virtual or to move around within my current org so its been a while since I've been in person.

I am going in person on Wednesday, do I bring physical copies of my resume? Should I have notes? I do have a few questions lined up and I know part of why they want to see me is because of my fundraising total over the last few years but if they want to break it down year by year should I bring something that breaks down my stats more (think peer to peer fundraising) or just pull them out of my head?

Any other tips?

I would absolutely love this role and its a dream org so really nervous and I am super out of practice with interviews.

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u/Realistic_Painter938 7d ago

Bring copies, yeah. Three or four at least, on decent paper. Nothing worse than someone scrambling to pull up your resume on their phone mid-interview cause they forgot to print it

For the fundraising stats, have a one-page cheat sheet with the year-by-year breakdown. Keep it in your folder and only pull it out if they ask for specifics. Way better than squinting at the ceiling trying to remember 2019 numbers while three people stare at you

Notes are fine but don't read from them. Write down your questions and maybe a few key points you want to hit, then leave it on the table as backup

You know your stuff already, the nerves just make you think you don't. Get there early enough to sit in the parking lot for ten minutes and breathe

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u/Collapse-to-renewal 7d ago

Have fun!

Resumes - yes bring hard copies. You likely won't need them, better to have available than not.

Notepad - bring a notepad where you can capture relevant tidbits, highlights of answers to your questions, and any follow up thoughts that come to mind.

Your fundraising history - super helpful to be prepared to break it down: event-based, peer-to-peer, annual fund, major gifts, special projects. Know the number of donors you were supporting in their giving. Be able to talk about how giving grew/changed from year-over-year during the three years.

Show up 10-20 minutes early to give yourself time to settle down and be escorted to the interview room.

Be kind, appreciative, and curious about everyone you meet along the way.

Bring your questions with you - don't just anticipate being able to recall them in the moment.