"My passion for human rights began when I volunteered with a local refugee group, helping them improve their English speaking skills. The stories people shared of their struggles as refugees lit a fire in me, and I knew I wanted to do something that would directly benefit their lives and ensure their rights were not being abused because of their vulnerability. I earned a Master of Public Policy and took on several research positions to learn about global issues affecting refugees. For this reason, I strongly connect with the Human Rights Watch's mission to defend the rights of people around the world."

"I understand that your organization's primary focus is on global human rights abuse. Through my undergraduate and graduate studies, I refined my understanding of the development of human rights and how they are abused in different societies around the world. In my internships, I researched specific instances of human rights abuses; this research has been used to advocate for policy changes at the local level. I also relate to the emphasis in your mission statement on human dignity and maintaining operational independence by refusing government funding. Part of my graduate thesis was developing a program that matched refugees with host families. This program required me to seek donations from private entities and ensure that volunteer staff received cultural training to ensure every refugee involved in our program was listened to and treated with respect and care."

The interviewer wants to see if you have an emotional or experiential connection to the mission of the organization. Nonprofit organizations have limited administrative costs to properly fund their programs. As a result, staff often have to multitask and are typically compensated less than they might be in a corporate environment. The interviewer wants you to speak passionately about the cause so they can assess if you are truly mission-driven.