Sample Nonprofit Interview Questions and Answers

If you are searching for a career where you can make a difference, a nonprofit job might be the right path for you. To land this opportunity you must first make an impression by answering the nonprofit interview questions during the selection process.

Nonprofit organizations do not operate to make a capitalist profit, but for other purposes, such as raisings funds for a political candidate or protecting neighborhoods. Nonprofits that have philanthropic goals are often called charities. Regardless of if the nonprofit you are applying to is a charity or another community service, chances are that you feel strongly about its mission. Make sure to show your passion during your interview by practicing beforehand with these examples of nonprofit questions and answers and charity job interview questions and answers.

Example Nonprofit Interview Questions:

1. Why do you want to work for a nonprofit organization?
2. Have you worked or volunteered for charities before?
3. What do you do in your free time to advance our causes?
4. How do you manage stress at work?
5. Our salaries tend to be lower than what you can earn at a private employer. How do you feel about that?
6. What core values matter most to you?

Interview Question #1: Why Do You Want to Work for a Nonprofit Organization?

This is common among nonprofit interview questions because the employer wants to hire people dedicated to their cause.

• Research the nonprofit before your interview to learn as much about it as possible.
• Offer more than a generic answer. For example, instead of saying “I want to help kids in need”, specify why you think the organization’s approach to solve the problem in question is the right one.

How You Could Answer:

“My work experience is in the corporate world, but I always felt something was missing, because I did not feel my work made an impact. Providing medical equipment to children in need is clearly a noble cause, and the personal stories on your website were very impactful. But a charity is only as impactful as its initiatives, and I think your success in partnering with major medical device companies means the reach you have is very significant and you can make a true difference in many kids’ lives.”

Interview Question #2: Have You Worked or Volunteered for Charities Before?

If you are applying to a job at a charity, you can highlight your commitment to their goals even if you don’t have previous work experience at a charity.

• If you have not done charity work before (paid or unpaid), emphasize other things you have done to make a difference.
• You can also shift the focus to discuss what makes you interested in working for a charity now.

How You Could Answer:

"I have not worked for a charity before, but I have been committed to helping the environment since I was a teenager and led a “clean the beach” initiative at my school. I have also started several such initiatives at work. I want to make this a full-time commitment by working for an organization like yours.”

Interview Question #3: What Do You Do in Your own Life to Advance our Cause?

Some causes are easier to advance in our own life than others. You are more likely to get nonprofit interview questions about your everyday contributions if you are interviewing for a charity focusing on something like sustainability, where there are easy steps you can take every day to help the cause.

• While raising awareness of issues, donating funds, or donating time are the most common ways to contribute, there are many ways to make a difference.
• Think about your interactions with others and what values you focus on in your daily life.

How You Could Answer:

“To prevent bullying, I talk to my children about how to speak out when someone is treated wrongly and how to be tolerant of differences. At my own workplace I point out when colleagues make negative comments about others. When I became a manager, I worked with the HR department to develop strategies to prevent and manage workplace bullying.”

Interview Question #4: How Do You Manage Stress at Work?

It is likely that this will be one of the nonprofit interview questions if you will be working in the field with vulnerable populations, or in the office in a workplace with a high pace. Consider what type of stress you are likely to encounter at the job when you answer this question.

• If the stress is likely to be related to working with people who have traumatic experiences, discuss how you focus on the positive impact you can make, disconnect from work after your day is over, and accept the reality that you will not be able to help everyone.
• If the stress is likely to be related to a hectic workday, discuss how you juggle multiple tasks, prioritize according to deadlines, and delegate work when appropriate if you are applying to a position as a manager.

How You Could Answer:

“I have worked as a nurse before so I am aware that I will not be able to help everyone I see due to circumstances out of my control. While I do wish I could see happy outcomes for everyone, I focus on the positive changes I make and do my best to disconnect from work when the day is over.”

Interview Question #5: Our Salaries Tend to Be Lower than What You Can Earn at a Private Company. How Do You Feel about That?

While salaries will be different for each job and workplace, nonprofits sometimes pay less than corporate employers precisely because they are not in the business of making money. The employer might ask this question so that they do not invest time in a candidate who will not accept the job for financial reasons.

• Do not use this or other nonprofit interview questions as an opportunity to ask what the pay is for the position. It is best and often expected that you wait until the employer brings that up. However, you can use our salary tool to get a sense of the average pay in this sector to find out if you’re comfortable with that figure.
• Discuss your commitment to the organization’s cause and how that outweighs the potential lower salary for you.
• At the same time, leave room for a salary negotiation by mentioning that of course salary is not unimportant but is not your driving motivation.

How You Could Answer:

“I am fine with a salary that is lower than at some other workplaces, because I understand that comes with the nature of working for a nonprofit. The ability to make a difference outweighs a small difference in pay, as long as it is still a reasonable compensation for the position.”

Interview Question #6: What Core Values Matter Most to You?

Ideally, your core values align with the organization’s values. Do some research beforehand to see what values you share. This will get you ready for this and other nonprofit interview questions related to your priorities and motivations.

• Core values are often listed under either 'values,’ ’mission’, ‘purpose’, ’what we stand for’ or a similar headline on the website. If you cannot find such as section, you might find them in the ‘about us’ section instead.
• Sometimes the values may not be spelled out, but you can read between the lines to form a picture of the organization beyond its practical purpose. You can even use this question as an opportunity to also ask the interviewer about the values of the company.
• Discuss values that you share, either by disclosing that you read about the organization or by using synonyms and similar terms to paint a picture that you are a good fit.

How You Could Answer:

“I am led by compassion and empathy. These are core goals in my life, which is why I want to work for the Red Cross, where you have the resources to make a big impact. When it comes to charity work, I agree with the approach you take in valuing neutrality and independence, and not taking sides in conflicts. I think charity work is best done by not choosing political allies. That can compromise credibility and result in people missing out on our assistance”.

Ready to Answer Interview Questions in Person? Find a New Job on Monster

Do you have great answers to these nonprofit interview questions? Then it is time to apply for jobs. Start by uploading your resume to Monster. Your skills will then be visible to recruiters looking for candidates just like you. You can also start applying to jobs of interest in just a few clicks.