So You Want a Successful Nonprofit Fundraising Job Interview?

I spend a great deal of time trying to determine what motivates candidates. I want to find out if they have a value system. I determine if they take pride in their work or view work as just a job. I ask where they see themselves several years down the line. I inquire if they volunteer for other organizations. I want to know if they cared enough about the job interview to do research on my organization and even on me as the team leader. I look for separation between the candidate and other candidates.

You would be surprised how many candidates do not do their homework and just go through the motions. They come to the interview unprepared. Those who exceed expectations score points as you would think they would in an actual job situation. I also try to find out who inspires them. I ask if the importance of family plays a role in their lives.

The job interview, if done well, is very complex. It is like dating in the sense that you determine quickly if there is chemistry in the room. Then, ascertain if the chemistry coming from the candidate can be applied to others on my team.

Human nature as it is, I ultimately look for the "take me home country roads" factor. I came from a loving West Virginia family that valued hard work, ethics, honesty, trust, transparency and giving 100 percent in every endeavor. My relatives also took pride in themselves and installed a servant leadership personality in me.

When interviewing others I look for those traits. I think to myself, can this employee be motivated by me and does he or she have personal motivation that inspires them? I hope candidates are doing the same analysis! If they are, the element of surprise will be significantly less down the road.