Here's how you can ace your interview for a job in the philanthropy sector.

Avant tout, soyez sincère et honnête. Vous allez passer une bonne partie de vos journée au service de cette cause. 2 options : 1/ vous êtes réellement passionné(e) par le sujet défendu par l'organisation. Dans ce cas là, vous avez forcément une vision, des convictions, une connaissance de l'univers associé. Votre sujet devient alors l'adéquation de vos "soft skills" avec l'équipe en place. Écoutez pour comprendre les attentes. Posez des questions et identifiez vos forces et vos faiblesses. L'entretien est une rencontre. Vous avez tout intérêt à identifier rapidement si la mission va vous convenir ! 2/ Vous n'y connaissez rien. Renseignez vous massivement avant l'entretien. Partagez vos recherches et posez des questions !

Not only should you know the cause, but you should have a compelling as to why this cause aligns with the intended impact you hope to have with a career in philanthropy. Not only does this demonstrate you did research on the position and organization but will demonstrate the way you might approach advocating for resources. If the organization has a strategic plan, read it and come with two questions about it. If there is a particular part of the mission, probe with your questions. Demonstrating you did research and are prepared are part of the interview process that demonstrate your interest and also the approach you might take as a team member.

Complétez vos connaissances sur la cause: En plus de bien comprendre la mission et les valeurs de l'organisation, il est essentiel de vous informer sur les défis actuels du secteur dans lequel elle opère. Par exemple, si vous postulez pour un poste dans une organisation qui lutte contre la pauvreté, assurez-vous de connaître les tendances actuelles, les initiatives gouvernementales ou les crises récentes qui ont un impact sur cette cause. Cela vous permettra de discuter de manière informée des enjeux actuels et de proposer des idées ou des solutions concrètes pendant l'entretien.

This is incredibly important. Don't underestimate the impact that your personal "why" can make in the interview. Highlight it in your cover letter and application but come prepared with a succinct answer to why this role and why this organization. Having a personal anecdote or story is helpful but remember to connect that to the role you are applying for and why this work would be meaningful/aspirational/connected for you.

I think the question of whether a potential employee is or is not a “fit” for an org is most relevant at the level of the team they intend to join, rather than at the level of the overall org. Success depends on fit between the individual’s interests, skills, goals, values, etc. and actual opportunities available to exercise and grow those interests. Culture exists at the team level, like a family. Org-level alignment is great on paper and can work in interviews, but I believe fit is best determined by whether the employee brings what the hiring manager needs and wants, and the job provides the employee to grow in ways he/she/they value.

I hate the fit question. Instead of focusing on how you would "fit" the organization, highlight the ways in which you would add value to the organization's work because of your unique skills, background, and experiences. Culture should be additive, you want to be part of an organization which values what you bring, not how best you fit. With that said, focus on collaboration, partnerships, flexibility, etc... Come prepared to ask your own questions about culture. How does the organization navigate conflict? Can you share how your organization navigates change? What approaches do you take? How is strategic vision and direction set? How do you measure it? For me, fit, is the F-word that gets used way too much in interviewing...

Can't underscore enough the power of gratitude. Less about the vehicle, more about the content. Follow-up with a personal connection to conversation, not just a generic TY note. This is your chance to demonstrate your writing skills, your listening skills, your ability to address gaps/opportunities/challenges. In fundraising, gratitude is core. If you can't be bothered to follow-up with a personal note of thanks for the time and energy put into a conversation I really question the ways one might approach of bringing gratitude to donors and colleagues.