Hello!

Last week I posted about what to NEVER say in an NGO/International Cooperation job interview.

Click here if you missed it:

LinkedIn: NEVER say this in an NGO interview

But what SHOULD you say in an interview?

🎯Tell your unique story.

What makes you different from other candidates?
What do you bring that offers value?

Perhaps you have a unique experience that has prepared you for this role. Maybe you have a perspective on the issues or context that others don’t. Share it!

🎯Connect with the organization’s values and mission.

For NGOs and other international cooperation organizations, their purpose is incredibly important. It’s the WHY of the work.

To fully understand this, you should review their website, and not just the first page. Go deep into their history, mission and projects. Look for recent news articles related to their work. See if their leaders have any speeches you can watch.

Then, identify how your values and experiences align. Find examples from your career that demonstrate your shared values.

🎯Give specific and relevant examples.

Most interviews will include a few questions that start, “Tell me about a time when . . . “

You usually should have 3-4 solid examples that can be transformed depending on the question.

Interviewers often ask about challenges, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Even if you don’t have experience in the specific field you’re interviewing for, you can use other job experience to show that you have the qualities it takes to succeed in their organization.

This LinkedIn post has some helpful language for answering these types of questions.

LinkedIn: NOW is the time to prepare for an interview.

🎯Ask a few thoughtful questions yourself

Many interviewers finish by asking, “Do you have any questions for me?”

You’d be surprised how many people answer this question, with “No, I’m good.”

That’s probably the SECOND thing to never say in an interview.

You should be prepared with questions about the specific job duties and the organization in general. Of course, you don’t want to ask too many questions (Usually 2-3 open ended questions is best.)

If you need some help, you can use these:

What’s a typical day/week like in this position?

What are the top priorities of the organization / department / team for this year?

How is the organization culture different from other places you have worked?

🎯Practice, practice, practice.

Write down key words, ideas and experiences.

Record yourself. Listen. Record again.

Practice with a trusted colleague or friend.

If you are looking for a new opportunity in 2024, I hope these tips have been helpful. I’m here for you if you need targeted interview preparation and practice. 🎯

Schedule a consultation with me

All the best,

Amy