In the April issue of Developments, John Barstad shared professional advice on cultivating a professional network. Here is the second article in a series on professional growth by the AFP Chicago Online Job Source Committee.

GETTING READY FOR THE INTERVIEW

By Kate Monteleone, CFRE

So you've found the absolute perfect job opening for you (after a quick, convenient search of AFP Chicago's Online Job Source, no doubt) and have landed an invitation to an interview. Now you have a choice: to throw your professional future to the fates, or to prepare carefully to ensure a successful interview. Here's how.

Know the Organization.
Before going into an interview do some homework on the organization. Know and understand the organization’s mission. Who or what does it serve? What is its history?

Among the sources you can explore to obtain this important background information is the internet—visit the organization’s web site. What does it say about itself? Most non-profit organizations have convenient online giving opportunities, which link into the development or foundation section. This is a great place to learn more about board members, fundraising and outreach initiatives.

Another excellent source of information about an organization is its annual report (sometimes referred to as a report to the community by non-profits organizations). These carefully prepared documents will tell you about the year’s most important achievements from the viewpoint of leadership. Frequently board members and an honor roll of donors will also be included in the annual report, which offers a view of the community of friends and donors sharing in the organizational mission.

Tap into your personal network of colleagues from AFP Chicago or other associations to learn more about what makes the organization you are interested in tick. Try to gather as much information as you can from multiple sources to provide yourself a balanced viewpoint.

Review the Position Description.
When you submit your credentials for a position listed on a website such as the AFP Chicago Online Job Source, you have the benefit of reviewing a detailed position description. It is also customary that professional recruiters will share a clearly written position description with candidates.

Other types of job search, such as personal networking or classified advertising make the position description a little more difficult to obtain. But it is certainly appropriate that a candidate be provided a position description when invited for an interview, and preferably in advance of the meeting. Don’t be afraid to ask for it if it is not offered voluntarily.

Look for areas within the scope of responsibility section where your skills and experiences are aligned with the position. Be sure that you understand the performance expectations of the position and the reporting relationship.

Practice Your Elevator Speech.
An elevator speech is a concise statement describing your qualifications for and interest in the position. A carefully developed elevator speech is the perfect response to the standard interview question—“tell me about yourself.”

This is a classic screening question in which the interviewer will attempt to determine whether you have the skills and experience to perform satisfactorily in the position. A direct answer that communicates your qualifications can keep you in the candidate pool, whereas discussing your hobbies, your children, or how you spent your summer vacation can eliminate you from the pool. Know who you are as a professional and stay focused in your responses.

Anticipate Questions and Practice.
The best interview questions are open-ended that cause the candidate to think about a response. Seldom will they have clear right or wrong answers, but a candidate’s thoughtfulness and ability to articulate a response will be noted.

Here are a couple examples of provocative open-ended questions.

What do other people say are your strengths?

What do other people say are your weaknesses?

If you boss were introducing you, what would he/she say?

What are you passionate about?

What is your leadership style?

By anticipating your answers to these and similar types of questions you are able to reinforce your qualifications and effectively communicate to the interviewer or panel your unique strengths for the position.

Once you have thoughtfully planned your answers to some tough questions, practice with a colleague or mentor. Interviewing is a skill, and as in all skill development, practice will translate into better performance.

Be Yourself.
So you have researched, analyzed, planned and practiced—now what? This is sometimes the hardest part—be yourself. Unless you are a very good actor, you cannot be anyone but the person you are for very long. And while people do succeed in securing good jobs for which they are a poor fit—nothing is served by doing so—careers don’t advance and organizations don’t progress.

You will best engage the interest and attention of your interviewer by being comfortable with yourself and having a natural demeanor. Smile often and convey your sincere interest in the organization and the position.

At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer for considering your candidacy and close by asking about the next step in the process.