A Culture Warrior Goes Quiet: Desantis Dodges Questions On
https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!& & p=6c428308af71293eJmltdHM9MTY2MDQyMDA5NSZpZ3VpZD03MjA5NGNmZi05NTQyLTQ3NGQtYjQwZS1hNmIxNWJiMTQxN2EmaW5zaWQ9NTM0Mg& ptn=3& hsh=3& fclid=decc651b-1b40-11ed-9a32-82e87e086743& u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbGl2ZS8yMDIyLzA3LzEzL3VzL3ByaW1hcnktZWxlY3Rpb25zLW1pZHRlcm1z& ntb=1.
Getting Ready For The Interview
This first section is to help candidates get prepared. If youre the one doing the interviewing, feel free to skip below directly to the questions you should be asking.
If youre still with me, there are two things I want you to do in advance of your interview.
1. Write the Announcement of Your Hire
This will help you figure out how you want to position yourself in the context of what will please the board.
Think about it. Hiring an Executive Director is the most important decision a board makes. And when your hire is announced, the board wants to look good. They want the community your organization serves, its volunteers and donors to see that they rocked the search.
So draft the statement they will send out. It doesnt need to be perfect There will be holes. Thats fine.
Dont forget to include a quote you would love to see in your announcement from the board chair or maybe even the previous ED.
After you draft, make some notes. What made you smile? What made you proud? What do you wish was stronger? What do you see as gaps?
2. Figure Out Your Key Messaging
Ive had the benefit of media training
As you prepare for any interview, regardless of length and regardless of what questions you are asked, what are the 3-4 main things you want the listener to remember about you?
Yes regardless of the questions asked.
You need to control the interview and the key messages you want the search committee to remember.
What do you want them to remember? To know? To feel? To think?
Take The Guesswork Out Of Screening Resumes
Screen candidates with one-way video responses
During your Executive Director interview, listen for candidates who demonstrate a high level of integrity and a genuine passion for your nonprofit cause. A diverse background in marketing, public relations, and finance is a must. Give your candidates the opportunity to open up and share their strategies for advancing your organization, and to show they have the skills to execute on their ideas.
General interview questions are a great way to get to know your candidates personal history, interests and goals. However, be sure to add inquiries specific to the role theyre interviewing for, so you can gain valuable insights into their likelihood of success in that position.
Below are Executive Director interview questions to help you get started:
You May Like: What Is The Good Question To Ask In Interviews
Please Walk Us Through Your Managerial And Executive Roles One By One
This is the deal breaker, maybe the most important question in the entire interview. Expect a lot of follow-up questions, different members of the interviewing panel may ask you about utmost details of this or that project or role. It isnt rare for this discussion to take an hour or even longer, especially if you had many roles in the past, and if the people in the interviewing panel did their homework, or know the field well.
The key is to focus on two things: challenges, and achievements. Not your personal achievements though, but things you achieved for your employers. You can also do the following: For each role you had, describe the starting point. That means where the company, team, or project stood when you came on board, in terms of people, resources, results. Then describe what you did to help improve the results, and how things looked liked when you left the company or the role.
Of course, many events take place in between, and you should focus on the most important onesbig challenges you faced, important milestones and goals you achieved, etc. As Ive already said, they may ask you many follow-up questions. so stay patient and answer each such question. It is actually a good sign when they keep asking
If We Hire You What Progress Should We Expect To See Within The First Year
What you want to hear: You want to hear both concrete and intangible goals. A strong candidate might discuss a roadmap for sharpening the organizations mission, establishing and maintaining budgets, reviewing and shoring up staff, maximizing Board of Director functions, analyzing current practices for media and public outreach, and strengthening relationships within the community.
Red flag: If a candidate isnt prepared to recite a vision for their first year in the role they may not have the skills to conduct such planning, or they may have simply come to the interview unprepared for what should have been an obvious question. Neither scenario bodes well for future success.
Read Also: How To Prepare For Green Card Interview
Considering The Jump From Corporate To Nonprofit Leadership
The funny thing is, I shouldnt really have been so nervous. For one, I was applying for an exciting new low-paying job. Also, I knew my strengths. A smart and strategic person. A first rate manager. Strong public speaker. A connector. The kind of person people enjoy having lunch with.
And I did have some nonprofit experience, albeit only on a small, local board.
But I was nervous. I really wanted this job. I cared deeply about the mission of this organization. I was 39 and if I stayed put, I would have stayed put. My corporate job was fine and I was good at it. But I knew I could be putting my skills and attributes to better use.
If youre in this position currently, let me cut right to the chase. The job will transform you. I know it did for me.
I got paid to make a difference! I became a real leader. I led a team that had real impact in how the world viewed and understood the gay community. My kids had a role model.
If you aspire to be an Executive Director but are not currently employed at a nonprofit, and youre feeling unsure of things, please know youre not alone. I get asked for advice about the interview process and what boards are looking for all the time.
But know this. I cannot recommend this jump enough. Beyond the personal benefits, the nonprofit world needs you! A recent study reports that as many as two-thirds of nonprofit leaders will retire in the next 5 years!
Ready?
Specific Executive Director Interview Questions
Prepping for a job interview can be nerve-racking not just if youre an interviewee, but also if youre the interviewer. The most valuable assets of any organization with a purpose are its people, and thats why hiring is so important. When it comes to a nonprofits leadership, the stakes are even higher.
In any position, from Executive Director to openings in fundraising and development, youll want candidates whose purpose and values match those of an organizations. There are specific executive director interview questions to ask for leadership roles. Specifics matter.
You May Like: How To Start An Interview With A Candidate
How Comfortable Do You Feel Interacting With The Media
Forming a professional relationship with the media is one of the most important responsibilities of a nonprofit executive director. Media members can write stores about your organization, share an event you’re hosting and produce content that resonates with your target audience, whether that’s made up of potential volunteers, employees, donors or partners. When answering, consider including language that will let the board of directors know how important you feel media relations is to the organization.
Example answer:”I feel very comfortable interacting with the media. I see media members as an extension of the nonprofit because they are able to tell our story in a new way to a new audience that we may not have connected with yet. The media are a valuable part of any nonprofit organization and I’ll make sure to foster a positive and professional relationship with news outlets, journalists and local influencers to ensure our communities are aware of what we do.”
The 400 Investment Banking Interview Questions
The 400 Investment Banking Interview Questions & Answers You Need to Know.
https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!& & p=d111e51563744d64JmltdHM9MTY2MDQyMDA5NSZpZ3VpZD03MjA5NGNmZi05NTQyLTQ3NGQtYjQwZS1hNmIxNWJiMTQxN2EmaW5zaWQ9NTI1Mg& ptn=3& hsh=3& fclid=decc1c95-1b40-11ed-b104-a08c944ce960& u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYWNhZGVtaWEuZWR1LzM2ODUyNjkyL1RoZV80MDBfSW52ZXN0bWVudF9CYW5raW5nX0ludGVydmlld19RdWVzdGlvbnNfYW5kX0Fuc3dlcnNfWW91X05lZWRfdG9fS25vdw& ntb=1.
Read Also: Where Can I Watch Prince Harry Interview With Oprah
In Your Opinion What Are The Biggest Challenges We Face As An Organization Right Now
Mark my words: companies and non-profit organizations arent hiring new executive directors when things go as planned. On the contrary, organizations look for new leaders in challenging times. Now it doesnt mean that they necessary have to struggle financially, or with people, or in any other way. Maybe they are just growing too quickly, or achieving overwhelming success, and it is something the existing team/director cannot handle. Hence they need a new leader onboard.
Anyway, once again you have to do your homework. Learn as much as you can about their organization. Check financial statement available in online databases, check LinkedIn, social networks. Think about the industry as a whole, and also about the challenges we face globallythe pandemic, climate change, etc, and how it all relates to their organization.
One more thing: Once you identify the challenges, you should have your idea on how to address each one. Now it doesnt mean that you have to come up with an in-detail plan . But you should have some ideas ready, some points for discussion at least
Recruitment Requisition Form Template
An Executive Director Evaluation form is a questionnaire used by non-profit organizations to gather feedback from employees. … allows collecting candidate personal and contact information, work experience, skills and their answers for your interview questions. Use Template Preview. Preview. Resume Collection Form … In our employee reference ….
https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!& & p=cf9f5fe5817b22e4JmltdHM9MTY2MDQyMDA5NSZpZ3VpZD03MjA5NGNmZi05NTQyLTQ3NGQtYjQwZS1hNmIxNWJiMTQxN2EmaW5zaWQ9NTIzNQ& ptn=3& hsh=3& fclid=decbe63e-1b40-11ed-bc8a-55c5a3dd2f25& u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuam90Zm9ybS5jb20vZm9ybS10ZW1wbGF0ZXMvcmVjcnVpdG1lbnQtcmVxdWlzaXRpb24tZm9ybQ& ntb=1.
Read Also: What To Write In An Interview Thank You Note
Determine The Current And Future Needs Of Your Nonprofit
Based on that, develop a profile of the ideal candidate.
- List demands of the job .
- List knowledge, skills, and abilities of the ideal executive director.
- Agree on the salary range.
- Finalize the job description.
Starting by analyzing the needs of your nonprofit increases the chances of hiring an executive director thats the best possible fit for your organization. Since an executive director plays a crucial role in delivering your nonprofits mission, make sure to think about the external factors that might impact your mission and operations, as well as about the strengths and the weaknesses of your nonprofit as it moves into the future. This will impact the knowledge and skills youll be looking for in the candidates. The challenge is, of course, to choose, from many skilled applicants, the person who comes closest to having the unique skill set your nonprofit needs at that point in time. To make Step 1 as objective as possible, brainstorm all required ED qualities and assets, merge any similar ones, and then rank them.
Finally, its important to agree on a salary range. Doing this narrows down your search.
Once youve listed the demands of the job, the skills and knowledge required and identified the salary range, you should finalize the job description. A good job description saves you time and effort and makes it easier to focus your search.
Executive Director Interview Questions And Answers
Learn what skills and qualities interviewers are looking for from an executive director, what questions you can expect, and how you should go about answering them.
An executive director is a senior-level nonprofit administrator who provides strategic leadership and oversees the operations of an organization. They are responsible for the organizations overall success and work to ensure its mission is fulfilled.
In order to be successful in this position, youll need to be able to answer questions about your experience and the abilities you have that will benefit the organization. Review the questions and answers below to help you prepare for your interview.
Are you familiar with the mission and values of our organization?
The board of directors may ask this question to see if you have done your research on the organization. They want to know that you are committed to upholding their values and mission statement. Before your interview, read through the organizations website or annual report to familiarize yourself with its goals.
Example:I am very passionate about childrens education. I believe it is important for kids to be able to learn in a safe environment where they feel comfortable asking questions. Your organization does amazing work by providing after-school programs for underprivileged students. I would love to continue supporting these types of initiatives as executive director.
How would you describe your leadership style?
Recommended Reading: How To Write A Follow Up Interview Thank You Email
Please Introduce Yourself To The Board
Do not rely on the fact that everyone in the interviewing panel have read your resume. Some people may actually know nothing about you at this point. Aim for short yet powerful introduction. You can name the principal managerial and leadership roles youve had in the last ten years, name of organizations, number of people you managed, and of course a few key achievements from your resume.
No need to elaborate on your experience at this point, because you will discuss your roles in-detail with them later in the interviews. But you should add something from your personal life as well, whether you have a family, one or two hobbies you enjoy to do in your leisure time, etc. Job interview is a serious meeting, but they also want to know you as a person, so it is good to start this meeting in an authentic and friendly way.
Whats Your Management Philosophy
First things first, youll want to discover how this candidate deals with people. How does he or she give direction, inspire employees, and lead and motivate a team?
Relational communication and people skills are by far the most necessary and desirable traits in the nonprofit sector.
Whether your nonprofit is large and widely known or small and scrappy, you undoubtedly want to find that special person who will mesh with the culture thats already established, while also inspiring your team to be the very best they can be.
This question will likely be very telling in how the potential candidate will deal with those under their leadership.
You May Like: How Hard Are Google Interviews
Tell Me About One Of The Biggest Challenges You Overcame
This question is designed to help the interviewer understand your problem-solving skills. A good answer should discuss a specific situation in which you overcame a challenge and what, if anything, you would do differently today. You should discuss the specific actions you took and your thought process.
Answer:”I held an executive position at a company when it was going through a difficult financial period. After evaluating different options, I was able to negotiate a repayment schedule with multiple vendors. My proposed solution was mutually beneficial for both our company and the vendor and allowed us to get back on track with our revenue flow and our project schedule.”
Vocational Rehabilitation Service Forms Texas Workforce
Situational Assessment and Work Sample Report : 07/01/2021: VR1840: Job Placement Services – Referral : 07/01/2021: VR1841: Non-Bundled Job Placement Services Data Sheet, Application, and Resume Training : 07/01/2021: VR1842: Non-Bundled Job Placement Services Interview Training Report : 07/01/2021: VR1845A: Bundled Job Placement Services ….
https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!& & p=af6d131e8a8841f7JmltdHM9MTY2MDQyMDA5NSZpZ3VpZD03MjA5NGNmZi05NTQyLTQ3NGQtYjQwZS1hNmIxNWJiMTQxN2EmaW5zaWQ9NTIxNw& ptn=3& hsh=3& fclid=decc0a7b-1b40-11ed-b093-835b79680691& u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudHdjLnRleGFzLmdvdi9mb3Jtcy9pbmRleC5odG1s& ntb=1.
Read Also: What Are Some Common Interview Questions
How Do You Manage Relationships With Key Stakeholders
Executive directors work closely with a board of directors as well as management within the company. Therefore, stakeholder management is critical to success. Your response should demonstrate specific steps you took in the past to earn the support of stakeholders and encourage them to support projects and ideas. You should also discuss your communication style when working with those key stakeholders.
Answer:” To successfully manage relationships with key stakeholders, I believe it’s important to communicate with them openly, honestly and often. I engage stakeholders by offering them real partnerships, consulting with them and getting their input on ideas and encouraging participation. I find that when I communicate with them frequently and show them that I value their opinions and truly listen to them, they are more likely to support my ideas.”
Whats One Thing You Would Do Differently For This Organization
Here it isthe question that all candidates dread, yet all interviewers love. And, you can bet its an effective one to ask of any prospective directors.
In this role, the executive director will be tasked with generating ideas and improvements for the nonprofit. So, he or she might as well get started right in the interview. Not only will this help you narrow down the best fits for the job, but you also might be rewarded with some great new suggestions!
An executive director plays a key role in your nonprofit, and finding the best fit for the job can often feel like an overwhelming undertaking. However, asking valuable, thought-provoking interview questions will bring you that much closer to the best candidate.
Read Also: How To Write A Email Thank You After An Interview
What Would Be The First Thing You Did As Executive Director
A board of directors may ask this question to understand what they can immediately expect from you in this new role. To prepare for your answer, think about what you feel every nonprofit would benefit from, regardless of its goals, strategies, relationship with the media or community involvement. Also, consider how much you can learn from the interview. For example, you may hear from a board member about the nonprofit’s struggle to grow their volunteer staff. In this case, you may want to mention how you can address this issue in your first 90 days in the role.
Example answer:”Pending the absence of any dire issues I need to address first, I would start my initial days as executive director by meeting with my key staff members to learn more about their work, current projects and any challenges they may be facing. I would also meet with employees in smaller groups to hear different perspectives of how the nonprofit is performing and any ideas they have to share. These meetings also have an alternate purpose in allowing me to introduce myself so they can feel more comfortable with me as their new executive director.”
