A successful biography interview helps everyone understand better how a candidate thinks, prioritizes and delivers results – based upon his/her earliest attempts to make sense of life. Many candidates have learned how to prep for difficult questions probing their...
Serving as the leader in a nonprofit is a rewarding role, and many nonprofit executives choose to remain in their role for years. However, whether through planned retirement or through unexpected changes in the organization, every executive role will eventually need...
While the world of nonprofits is known for favoring altruism and the public good, all employees still expect to earn fair compensation for their labor. When it comes to interviewing for a nonprofit position, the topic of salary and compensation is an understandable...
But, each step is worthy of intentional focus and strategy. So, congratulate yourself when you get through the daunting and often tedious application process when you land an interview. But, even though the candidate pool significantly dwindled, don’t rest on your laurels. There is, of course, more work to be done! Melissa Llarena’s article, “How To Answer The Five Most Common Interview Questions,” helps prepare job seekers to not be thrown off the game during this important meeting.
Larry Slesinger, author of “Why Qualified Candidates Don’t Always Get the Best Jobs,” acknowledges a number of factors come into play as to why a qualified applicant doesn’t land a particular job including having too much or too little experience or that his or her experience is good but not quite the right fit in that organization. Those are aspects over which an applicant has little or no control. However, there are other areas a job seeker can completely control and to which specific attention should be given to make a strong, positive mark during the interview process.
It may be because the first interaction is truly a screening interview, or it may be because time and/or logistics prevent an in-person interview from being plausible. No matter the reason, oftentimes, first interviews are conducted over the phone. And, even though you won’t be leaving your home for the discussion, you will still be making your first impression. This point of contact is just as important as any other step in the interview process, so, intentional preparation is prudent. Judith Stock’s article, “6 Steps To Nailing A Job Interview … Over The Phone” offers some great guidance to get you ready.
Q: I have a feeling one of my references is not giving me a good evaluation. In my last set of interviews, the prospective employer seemed very enthusiastic about hiring me. But, after conducting reference checks, he refused to return my phone calls. What can I do to correct this? Is there any strategy for making a bad reference good?
Candor wins over canned responses. While this has always been at least somewhat true, honesty is highly sought particularly in an environment where the number of start-ups and smaller, leaner organizations is on the rise. Interviewers are more focused than ever on really getting to know how you function – particularly under stress. Some organizations go as far as to have their most senior leaders take rigorous behavioral tests to ensure they have the right stamina, skills, aptitude and attitude to succeed.