At Human Rights Watch we want people on our development team with a strong affinity for sales and fundraising . Have you ever had a fundraising target from a previous nonprofit employer, and how did you hit that target?

"Although I have never worked in a nonprofit organization before, I truly believe that my decade working in sales has prepared me for this opportunity. I understand the importance of building solid, lasting relationships as the foundation of securing financial commitments. I have closed deals with mid-level business associates and C-suite executives totaling upwards of fifty million dollars. I know how to connect a company's mission to the personal values and interests of anyone I meet and I look forward to bringing that skill to bear to advance the cause of human rights with your organization "

"In my previous nonprofit position as Development and Special Events Associate, I was responsible for not only raising half a million dollars from individual donors, but I was also tasked with creating new fundraising events staffed by volunteers. I developed our organization's first-ever digital auction where supporters could bid on original paintings from local visual artists who had donated their work. Not only did we raise fifty-thousand dollars from this event, but we received pledges for continued support from at least five new donors. This event helped us reach our annual individual donation quota from new and existing supporters."

When it comes to discussing fundraising goals, it is important to come prepared with numbers. If you helped a previous development team fundraise an impressive amount, tell the interviewer that number. If you spearheaded a fundraising event that garnered new donors, talk about how you implemented that concept.