How to answer broad interview questions
It’s the end of March and we are entering the scramble of spring. Organizations want to lock in employees before the summer because everyone goes on vacation. April Fools’ Day is around the corner. More on that below.
I know that some of you out there may be a little interview weary at this point. So many questions! I know I’ve heard more than one person say, “If I have to talk about myself and my experience for one more minute . . .”
I know it can be a little tiring to do so much talking. But it is important to keep in mind that there is a method to the madness. There are reasons behind the questions we ask.
Yet, when an interviewer asks you broad questions, it can be tough to know what to highlight. For example, any question about your experience might bring a little anxiety because you have so much to tell! Where to begin?
The question might be: Tell me about your leadership experience. Or, tell me about your fundraising experience. If you have been an ED at more than one organization or held a variety of Development roles for more than 5 years, you may not understand how to approach this question or even get what this question is all about. Here are a few insights into how to answer those questions as well as some reasons those questions might be there to begin with.
use their language.
Here is a video of me talking more about this point.
Support your claims.
Sometimes a broad question can lead to broad answers. Try to ground your response with details. The STAR method is a good option.
Another option is to give qualitative or quantitative data to support any broad claims. Use your judgment here.
A story may be the perfect compliment to what skill or experience you are trying to demonstrate. However, numbers and stats can also make an impression and drive your point home. When you say you raised enough money for the organization to double their operating budget, that can be used to show how you have fundraising expertise and you were also successful.
highlight what type of culture you want.
A lot of times these broader questions are also used to determine if a candidate is a good culture fit. Culture fit often deals with these areas:
Communication style among employees
How employees are given feedback and celebrated
The way decisions are made, for example, top-down, collaboratively, by consensus, or by majority rules.
If an interviewer asks you broadly about your experience with a certain skill, include the way you made decisions if you were a leader. Talk about how you communicated with team members and direct reports. And returning to point #1: use their language.
Next time you are asked a broad question in an interview, remember these tips and insights. You may still be a little tired of talking about yourself, but focusing on what you need to communicate can hopefully make the process a little less stressful.
Survey to get you in the mood for April Fools’ Day
Some of you may have had the experience of participating in a job interview when the interviewer asks a question that feels like it is out of left field to the point that you are convinced someone is filming this and you will be featured on a prank show. In honor of pranks and April Fools’ Day, we want to know about the time(s) you felt like someone must have been joking around.
We’ll share the results in our next edition of Get Hired.
WEBINAR FOR TEACHERS AND SCHOOL LEADERS
Join us for a webinar for teachers and school leaders about how to run an effective search for a job that you love. If you have a background in the education space and think you might want to pursue job opportunities with schools or mission-driven nonprofits, then this webinar is for you.
DATE: April 9th from 7pm-7:45pm ET
On to the jobs! Check out all of NRG’s searches here. Seventeen of those positions are remote.
Opportunities NRG is hiring for:
Senior Program Associate, Field Innovation at Growald Climate Fund; $70,000-$80,000; Brookline, MA with flex hours and opportunity to work from home two days / week.
Analyst at Watershed Advisors; $73,500; Remote
Organizing Director at Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance; $75,000-$85,000; Hybrid role in the Philadelphia, PA metro area, (30% in office/70% remote)
Voter Registration Director at Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance; $60,000-$80,000; Remote position within the Philadelphia, PA metro area
President & CEO at States’ 4-H International Exchange Programs; $125,000-$170,000; Remote
Democracy Takes Work Initiative Director at the Democracy Alliance; $150,000-$170,000; Remote
Deputy Data Director at Movement Labs; $75,000-$89,500; Remote
COO at Movement Labs; $150,000-$180,000; Remote
Senior Organizer, Colorado at Mothers Out Front; $70,000-$75,000; Remote in Denver, CO
Senior Organizer, Northern California at Mothers Out Front; $70,000-$75,000; Remote in northern CA
Senior Manager of Major Giving at Mothers Out Front; $78,000-$88,000; Remote
Grassroots Giving and Events Manager at Mothers Out Front; $78,000-$88,000; Remote
NY State Campaigner at Mothers Out Front; $64,000-$68,000; Remote in NY
Hudson Valley Senior Organizer at Mothers Out Front; $70,000-$75,000; Remote in NY
HR and Operations Director at National Black Worker Center; $75,000-$90,000; Remote
Head of Civic Engagement and Field Organizing at Action for the Climate Emergency (ACE); $150,000-$170,000; Remote
Texas State Organizing Director at Action for the Climate Emergency (ACE); $80,000-$90,000; Remote, Houston metro area
Senior Grant Writer at UTEC; $75,000; Lowell, MA
Senior Director of Learning at UTEC; $90,000-$110,000; Lowell, MA
Interim Policy Director at UTEC; Contact Naomi for salary info; Lowell, MA
Executive Director at CT Students for a Dream; $85,000-$93,000; Bridgeport, CT
Opportunities NRG is hiring for in education:
Teaching Roles for 2024-2025 School Year at Shore Educational Collaborative; $$56,965-$114,700; Chelsea, MA
Multilingual Learner Specialist at Shore Educational Collaborative; $$56,965-$114,700; Chelsea, MA
Alternative High School Teacher at Shore Educational Collaborative; $$56,965-$114,700; Chelsea, MA
Middle School Teacher at Shore Educational Collaborative; $$56,965-$114,700; Chelsea, MA
join the nrg talent network
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Let’s move,
Naomi
P.S. If you feel like you’d benefit from external feedback on your answers to broad questions, sign up right now for 15 minutes with Kristin Saybe to learn how NRG’s coaching programs can help you.
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