Do you have experience recruiting interns and/or volunteers? While Human Rights Watch does not rely on a great amount of volunteer labor, we do pride ourselves on our internship program.

"I was impressed to read about the variety of opportunities available to recent college graduates and current students interested in beginning a nonprofit career with Human Rights Watch. In my previous role as Community Engagement Officer, I was tasked with recruiting large numbers of volunteers to support special fundraising events. Over four years, I recruited over five thousand individuals from local universities, corporations, and religious congregations to provide volunteer support for events that raised over one million dollars for our organization. Because of this experience, I am well-equipped to make contact with universities and match qualified students to available positions."

A large part of the success of a nonprofit organization comes from dedicated volunteers and interns. For well-established, large nonprofits like Human Rights Watch, funding is typically easier to come by, and therefore they can pay experts to fill most staff positions. As an advocacy organization, Human Rights Watch does not often use volunteers. However, they do have several internship opportunities available for students and recent graduates in offices around the world. Share your ideas for widening the applicant pool for internships and any experiences you might have recruiting in general. This is a great opportunity to include numbers.

Avoid pitching new volunteer opportunities until you see a specific need after you have been hired. Generally, nonprofits take advantage of as much volunteer support as possible, and if they are focusing their efforts on developing their internship program instead, they are likely more interested in long-term investments with individuals who might go on to become future employees. Instead, work within the framework already provided by the organization and show how you can add to that with your recruiting experience.

"The current internship program at Human Rights Watch is an excellent opportunity for students and recent college graduates to learn about life as a nonprofit employee and gain experience in the field. The compensation package offered by your organization makes this program competitive and attractive to potential interns. Because I have direct experience working with universities and managing my previous organization's internship program, I know the right staff people to contact who can connect me with students seeking internships. By focusing my leads on students who are currently engaged in long-term community service work, I can ensure that I find students who are dedicated and passionate about human rights advocacy work."

What is your philosophy regarding work-life balance?

"I utilize my work hours very efficiently, so the only time that I take my work home is when there is an extremely stringent deadline. In my current position, I rarely take work home except during the holidays when our large fundraising event required extra hours of preparation and travel to different locations around town procuring items for the silent auction. It's all about being diligent with your time in the office!"

Nonprofit work relies on the tenacity and dedication of limited staff to accomplish big missions. The majority of staff work overtime hours if the organization allows it or take work home with them on occasion. Talk to the interviewer about how frequently you take your work home. It is important to show your willingness to take work home on occasion, but it is also important to show your personal views on maintaining a work-life balance.

The most important point to make here is that you will work as efficiently as possible to ensure that you will complete all of your required tasks within the allotted time. Highlighting your time management skills is critical in an interview for a nonprofit position.

"I value a strong balance between work and home life. From my perspective, a healthy personal life refreshes me for the work I do during the week. If I get enough sleep, spend with family, and prepare healthy meals, I will be more focused on and attentive to the work I am doing. However, I also know that sometimes last-minute assignments are unavoidable. There have been plenty of times in the past when I had to fulfill a rush request from a supervisor needing the profile of a qualified lead to meet our fundraising goal by our quarterly deadline. With proper time management, I was able to complete all of those requests, and I communicated to my supervisor the reasons I needed a few additional hours to work on this task from home."

Salaries are not typically as competitive with nonprofits as they are with corporate positions. What are your salary expectations?

"Currently, I earn a base salary of $45,000 per year plus a potential 20% annual bonus. Last year, my earnings were $52,000, and I would like to stay in the same range or slightly higher. I acknowledge that nonprofits must keep their overhead costs to a minimum including salaries, but I believe my salary requirements match the current market rates for a position with these specific responsibilities."

The best way to discuss your salary expectations is to use your current earnings as an example. Be open and honest. Transparency is the best choice when salary based questions arise.

If you are transitioning from corporate to nonprofit work, explain why you are willing to accept the compensation adjustment since the offer will likely be lower than your previous work. However, do not sell yourself short. Organizations like Human Rights Watch offer competitive salaries within a nonprofit context. Your goal is to arrive at a compensation agreement that will provide you with comfort in exchange for your hard work and dedication.

"I am currently making $60,000 per year with two bonus opportunities. Although I understand that bonuses are not traditionally awarded in a nonprofit environment, I am looking for a salary that aligns with the role and provides opportunities for professional development and upward mobility."

Rate your communication skills from 1-10 with proper examples backing your given rating.

"I would rate my communication skills as 8/10. As a research assistant, it was integral to my work to maintain consistent contact with the organization's head researcher to explain my process and ensure data had been accurately gathered. We regularly met to discuss methodologies for gathering evidence related to abuse in nursing homes, and everyone needed to know how to properly interact with clients whose cases we were managing. Because of the legal ramifications of procuring inaccurate information, we had to make sure we were always on the same page. Therefore, I have developed a strong appreciation for communication and worked to improve my ability to communicate with my supervisor as well as clients."

With 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest, assess your communication skills. Describe how you communicate with a supervisor, employees, project manager, teammates, etc. A nonprofit environment is fast-paced and ever-changing, so maintaining strong communication with co-workers is essential.

Equally important as communicating with co-workers is displaying proper communication with clients, donors, and volunteers according to the standards set forth by the organization's communications team. An organization like Human Rights Watch will have consistent branding standards and likely have general guidelines for interacting with stakeholders.

"I would rate myself a 7/10 because I believe communication is all about learning how to connect to another person. You don't automatically understand how to talk to someone until you meet them and slowly get to know their work style and personality. When I am a new member of a team, I like listening as my co-workers share their institutional knowledge. Then, I begin to ask questions. When I am fully integrated into a team, I communicate with each member in ways that make them most comfortable and can empower co-working efficiency. At that point, my rating will increase to 9/10. When I joined my previous team as Program Director of Senior Transit, I rode around with all the paid drivers so they could tell me about their routes and train me on their jobs. Then, I spent a day shadowing each member of my team so that I could understand their unique roles in the team as a whole. Understanding is the basis of communicating well."

When have you shown great integrity at work?

"As a Major Gifts Officer with a nationwide nonprofit, I solicit gifts over one million dollars from individuals and corporations. When handling such large gifts, there are important steps to be taken to ensure appropriate stewardship of that funding. With each major gift, I bring in our Director of Accounting to transparently communicate the process of transferring the funds. With the assistance of program directors, I can delineate exactly how that funding will be used to advance our programs. This transparency garners trust from our donors and helps maintain our organizational reputation of integrity."

Integrity is best displayed through honesty and consistent moral values. Talk to the interviewer about how you show integrity in the workplace.

Since nonprofits rely upon individual, corporate, and private grant funding, committing to integrity shows that you are an excellent steward of given resources and driven by the values of the organization. Focus on how you demonstrate these values in the workplace.

"During my work as Communications Associate, I was frequently responsible for speaking to the press about activities related to my organization, such as fundraising events, program impact, volunteer opportunities, and more. As such, it was important to maintain our organizational image committed to the values of respecting all people, communicating honestly, and being the best possible stewards of our resources. In all of my communications with the press, I double-checked information with the appropriate staff person ahead of time to ensure all communication was accurate and honest."

In your opinion, what are the greatest challenges in our global community?

"The rise of authoritarianism in countries around the world represents a real threat to human rights, and I believe one of our biggest challenges is ensuring that these regimes are held accountable for any violations and the truth of their actions are exposed to the rest of the world. For example, according to a recent report by the Human Rights Watch, police forces in the Phillippines have been falsifying evidence to justify killing thousands of Filipino urban poor in their 'War on Drugs.' This is just one example of how authoritarian regimes destroy lives. I believe my in-depth knowledge of authoritarianism and its effect on working-class populations can push advocacy even further in this area."

Since Human Rights Watch is an international organization, you should come prepared with specifics about some of their recent investigations, particularly if they are issues you are truly passionate about. Your passion is important, but so is your knowledge of these situations. Be as thorough as possible in your response without being longwinded.

When discussing sensitive subjects, avoid being negative or having a "doomsday" attitude. Remain positive and hopeful and talk about how your knowledge and passion can improve the work that Human Rights Watch does to expose and hold accountable those responsible for human rights abuses.

"The threat of a global pandemic is an obvious threat to public health. However, the examination of the effects of public policies related to the pandemic upon the most vulnerable populations including people in prisons, older people, and people with disabilities living in institutions is crucial. During my time as a hospice caretaker, I discovered that homebound seniors often do not have access to transportation, which they need to receive life-saving vaccines. This is just a small piece of the puzzle that shows how the pandemic affects peoples' lives in ways that are sometimes overlooked. It is such a massive issue, but I know I can contribute my eye for details to Human Rights Watch's efforts to report on the effect of government policies during global health emergencies."

On a scale from 1 to 10, how honest are you?

"I believe honesty is extremely important in all facets of life, including work. In my current position, I am responsible for interviewing clients seeking assistance from our rehousing program. When leadership hired a new program director, he wanted to streamline all of our processes by digitizing everything. It greatly limited the human interaction that is so necessary for supporting clients' dignity when they come to us asking for assistance. At first, I felt I couldn't be honest because my supervisor seemed so proud of his innovative idea, but when I saw that it had a negative emotional impact on some of our clients, I decided to respectfully approach him about the idea of limiting the digital part of the assistance request to standard information-gathering. If I felt like a 7 on the honesty scale before, this situation empowered me to become more honest, and now I'd say I'm an 8."

This question could be a tricky one, as nobody is 100% honest. While you don't want to pretend that you are always perfectly honest, you also don't want to present yourself as manipulative or misleading in any way. Support your response by speaking about your ethics.

There are many ways to be honest and dishonest. Focus on the ways in which you are honest, and if you feel the need to address any ways you might be dishonest, discuss how you are working to improve.

"I don't think it's possible to be a 10/10 on the honesty scale, but I make a sincere effort to be as honest as possible in all of my interactions. This does not mean being rude, condescending, or dismissive of anyone. Instead, it means that I am more than willing to engage a fellow teammate if I see them doing something that creates inefficiency, and I will offer to help them. I also believe being honest with oneself is important. Developing the ability to self-reflect and see when you are failing or succeeding is critical in one's personal growth. I am always seeking new ways to improve my performance. So, I would say I am a 9/10 on the scale of honesty."

Are you applying for any other jobs?

"I am actively seeking work since I was laid off from my previous position due to budget cuts related to the pandemic. I want to stay in the nonprofit field because it is fulfilling work that gives me the motivation to work hard every day. My passion is conducting field research that contributes to the betterment of the lives of the most vulnerable in my community. Those are the kinds of roles I am pursuing, but I am most excited about the possibility of working with Human Rights Watch. It combines my love of research with my desire to hold those who take advantage of vulnerable populations accountable."

The number of job seekers wanting to work at nonprofits has never been higher and is increasing all the time. People want to engage in work they consider meaningful or personally fulfilling. As such, nonprofit work has become quite competitive. It always puts a little bit of fire under the hiring manager if they are aware that you are actively looking for a new position, but be sure to balance details about your job search with a reminder of why you want to work at Human Rights Watch specifically.

Make sure to emphasize your desire to work with Human Rights Watch, and do not simply lump it in with a wider net of nonprofits you have applied for. Explain why you think Human Rights Watch is unique instead of giving a long list.

"Although I am currently employed full-time and satisfied with my position, I am always seeking new challenges and ways to develop professionally. After being a research assistant for so long, I started to realize it is time for me to take the next step in my career. I will be forever grateful to my current employer for the early-career training I have received, but I know Human Rights Watch is the logical next step in using my research skills to become a field researcher exposing human rights abuses. I have applied for other positions, but Human Rights Watch is the organization about which I am most excited."

We want to know what you are passionate about. If you could work for any cause, what would you choose?

"I have been passionate about human rights and advocacy since my first year of college when I had the opportunity to attend the Women's March in Washington, DC. Seeing how so many people gathered to support the cause of reproductive rights could highlight the issue in our public awareness and change the conversation inspired me to pursue the path of fighting for human rights in areas where those rights are being exploited. I was so excited to discover the good work Human Rights Watch does globally to document human rights abuses and advocate for reform."

This question is the perfect chance to show the interviewer who you are and the cause or causes you are passionate about. When interviewing with Human Rights Watch, emphasize your passion for human rights, advocacy work, and justice by providing specific experiences that illustrate that point.

Even though you may personally be passionate about human rights, you may have never worked for an organization devoted to this cause. Avoid forcing an answer to fit what you believe the interviewer wants to hear. Instead, speak sincerely and explain how your passion materialized. Maybe you have read a lot of material on the subject. Maybe you have volunteered with an organization that addresses similar issues. You will be more confident if you speak honestly about your path to this passion.

"Although I have never been employed at an organization specifically focused on human rights issues, I did study political science during my undergraduate years. Through my studies, I became fascinated and disturbed by the cross-section between politics and human rights. My interest led me to volunteer the past three years with a digital archive tracking legislative decisions in areas around the world where human rights abuses are most prevalent. Since then, I eagerly read all material I can on the subject and stay up-to-date with global current events"

At Human Rights Watch, we want to hire those who are passionate about reporting global human rights abuses. How do you connect with this aspect of our mission?

"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."

Show the interviewer that you are dedicated to the specific work of Humans Right Watch by sharing the research you have conducted on the organization's mission before the interview. Provide an example of a professional or life experience that demonstrates this dedication.

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.

"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."

Do you have any additional questions about Human Rights Watch and the work we do globally?

"I was very impressed to see Human Rights Watch has a presence on six continents and hundreds of countries, working tirelessly in each region to document and expose human rights abuses. Are there any regions or countries where Human Rights Watch would like to expand their reach?"

This is a good opportunity to show that you have done your research to prepare for this interview and learn more about Human Rights Watch. Remember, they have a massive global presence, and they are very transparent in reporting their impact. Ask about any countries or regions where they have a limited presence that they might want to explore deeper in the future. This might also be a great chance to learn more about their process in terms of how they move from gathering evidence of human rights abuses to sharing that evidence and calling for action.

Do not say, "I don't have any questions." This indicates a lack of real interest in the organization and potentially suggests to the interviewer that you have not done any research before the interview. Always search for two or three things to ask when the interview has been completed. You may ask about the next steps of the interview process, but try to make your questions more substantive and related to Human Rights Watch.

"Can you explain the process that Human Rights Watch uses to a) gather field research, b) identify the best ways to present that research and to whom to present it, and c) demand accountability for violators?"

What unique experiences, skills, or characteristics do you have that you believe would make you a valuable asset to Human Rights Watch?

"I believe my greatest and most unique quality is my ability to push myself out of my comfort zone and test my boundaries to build resilience, experience adventure, and learn new skills. Recently, I finished a year-long project of renovating a cargo van into a livable camper from which I can travel around the country and see places I've never seen before. I had never built anything in my life, so not only did I have to learn how to build the camper, I had to teach myself how to use the tools necessary to complete the job. I believe Human Rights Watch seeks individuals who are willing to take risks and push themselves to contribute to positive community change. I am one of those individuals."

This question is a bit more general than questions specific to the role you are applying for. This is your opportunity to show what makes you unique. Think outside the box and highlight any experiences in your life that many people have never had or rare skills you've developed and explain how those make you uniquely qualified to advance the mission of Human Rights Watch.

While you should think outside the box for this response, make sure that your answers are relevant to the organization as a whole. Your answer should simultaneously highlight the diversity of your interests and abilities and demonstrate knowledge of the needs of Human Rights Watch.

"Three years ago, I was in a corporate career that left me feeling empty. I had some money saved, so I left that position and spent a year traveling to different countries around the world in an attempt to discover what I truly wanted in life and from a career. I volunteered as I traveled, and along the way, I discovered people who had been the victims of severe human rights abuses at the hands of their governments. This experience helped me realize my passion in life is bringing justice to vulnerable people harmed by those who would take advantage of them for their own political and financial gain. My firsthand experience working with clients that Human Rights Watch would also talk to while gathering research makes me uniquely qualified to fill this position."

Why do you want to work in the nonprofit sector when you can earn more money working in a profit driven corporate environment?

"Although salary and benefits are important to me, I derive the most satisfaction in my career if I am passionate about the work I am doing. I am grateful for the research skills I developed during my time as an intern with a large real estate firm, but it was my time using those skills to create a stakeholder-focused development plan for a small village in Uganda that gave me a purpose. At the end of the day, I want to come home knowing that my work contributed to the improvement of humanity in some small way. That brings me a much greater sense of fulfillment than I ever had when I made more money."

Many nonprofit organizations cannot afford to pay the big salaries of profit-driven organizations. The interviewer wants to know that you are okay with potentially earning less than the average person in your field. Talk to the interviewer about an experience that illustrates your passion for the specific work of Human Rights Watch.

Avoid being overly negative about money in your response. Acknowledge that while money and benefits are important, you are not exclusively motivated by the desire to make money. Then, highlight your connection to the mission without diminishing the motivations of others. This is an opportunity to share the values that motivate you rather than those that do not. Talk with humility when explaining these values. You want to be confident and proud of the things that motivate you, but you also want to be careful not to use self-righteous language.

"Every person needs money to survive, and I am no different. What makes me unique, however, is my motivation for working hard. When I come to work, I want to be focused on the mission. For every task I set my mind to, I want to contextualize its place within the overall mission of the organization. This allows me to see the measurable, positive impact my work has on the lives of others, and this gives me the fulfillment I seek in life."

Although we don't offer many volunteer opportunities with Human Rights Watch, we do have a robust internship program and want to work with individuals who value volunteerism. Walk me through your volunteer experience.

"Ever since I was a child, I have been involved in a variety of volunteer activities because my parents stressed the importance of offering one's services to help the community. In high school, I taught reading skills at the local refugee empowerment center, and during my graduate studies, I offered pro-bono legal advice to individuals trying to become permanent US citizens. I believe volunteerism is an essential part of the human experience so that we maintain our connection to others and learn from them how to best help."

When applying for a nonprofit position, you should be prepared to talk about how you give back to others, how you contribute to your community, and why you believe it is important to do so. Talk about a volunteer experience that is directly related to advocacy, human rights, interviewing stakeholders, and policy research.

Don't simply list all of the volunteer experiences you have ever had. Pick the ones you can talk about in detail; even better, choose an experience that highlights your connection to the mission of Human Rights Watch. If you do not have any volunteer experiences to share, don't focus on that. Instead, focus on the ways your background and interests demonstrate a passion for human rights.

"I strongly believe that a regular volunteer commitment can have mutual benefits for the organization and the volunteer. Although I have not volunteered with a large number of organizations, for the last five years I have donated my services weekly to a group that advocates for community oversight of law enforcement. I meet with representative members and advise them on best practices for presenting requests to city and county councils. This has boosted the organization's public profile and led to stronger oversight of community policing."

What suggestions do you have for Human Rights Watch to improve as an organization?

"Human Rights Watch uses its website and social media accounts to transparently share information gathered from field research in areas where people have been subjected to human rights abuses. I was impressed to see the detailed information presented there as well as the massive followings the organization has on its various social media channels. The only suggestion I would make related to social media would be to begin a TikTok account. This would reach a younger audience and engage them early in the important work that Human Rights Watch does in the world."

When you prepare to answer this question, read through everything you can find on Human Rights Watch's website and social media accounts. They are rich resources of information about the work Human Rights Watch does around the world. Offer some small examples of areas that could be enhanced to boost Human Rights Watch's mission.

Do not try to reinvent the wheel. Human Rights Watch is a major nonprofit with an expert staff and a lot of financial resources compared to many other nonprofits. Their major focus areas and operational methods are closely linked to their mission and values. Instead, provide insight into some smaller changes that could be reasonably made to improve the organization.

"I was excited to learn about Human Rights Watch's internship program and your Early Career opportunities. I truly believe that finding young donors, employees, and interns is a great way to build a foundation of lifelong support for the organization. I also think enhancing the volunteer program would have a similar effect. There are not many volunteer opportunities available with Human Rights Watch, and this is a chance to engage people who might not be able to make donations but still wish to get involved somehow in the good work of this organization."

At nonprofits like Human Rights Watch, budgeting is an important part of our financial reality. How have you managed a tight budget in the past?

"As Program Director for a new afterschool ballet program for at-risk youth, I acquired a major gift of $50,000 from a departed donor's bequest. Since this is a new program, I had several items left to purchase that would enhance our capacity for more students, including a larger dance space in our community center and a mini-bus to transport students to-and-from the center. I created a presentation for a city council meeting to request funding to offset the cost of the community center expansion, explaining how the investment would return in the form of better youth programs in the city. We received the funding, and I was able to use the $50,000 to purchase a mini-bus."

Nonprofits operate on very low overhead relative to the amount spent specifically on programs. Talk about specific ways you have worked with a tight budget in the past and how you used that funding in the most efficient way possible.

For some perspective, Human Rights Watch spends 71.9% of its annual budget on program expenses. This leaves about 28% to spend between administration, fundraising, program growth, and asset-liability costs. That is a very small amount, and much of this needs to be used creatively to generate even more funding for the organization. That is likely why Human Rights Watch spends 17% on fundraising, slightly more than the average nonprofit. Focusing on being more efficient with fundraising costs specifically will likely enhance your response.

"As Director of Development for my previous organization, I understand the extreme importance of generating funds through fundraising to assist with operating costs and program support. I was given a budget to go over with the rest of my team every year, and that would dictate what fundraising events we could pursue. In the past, I was given $200,000 to finance these events. My team had used that funding to conduct four different small events that each generated $55,000. Therefore, we profited $20,000 from putting on these events. When you consider staff and volunteer time devoted to these events, that likely broke us even. So, I decided to use the funding to sponsor one small event and one large, major event. Because of the grand scale of the larger event, we were able to procure several corporate sponsors, saving us thousands of dollars. This event also netted us $60,000, so the return on our investment was much stronger than it had been previously."

Tell me about a time when you took the initiative to improve work related procedures.

"When I worked as a community engagement officer at my previous organization, we faced a dilemma with outdated technology seriously hampering our ability to serve clients in a timely and efficient manner. As a result, we were not able to serve as many clients in a calendar year and lost some funding. When a representative from a FedEx technology team called me to inquire about volunteer opportunities, I asked what the company's requirements were for their day of service. He shared the budget and told me his whole team was required to volunteer for eight hours. I worked with his budget and proposed the team donate five new computers for our Emergency Services staff and help get them set up for immediate use. In turn, we solidified a new partnership with FedEx, increased our ability to serve more clients, and regained the grant funding we had initially lost."

Talk about a time you saw something that could be changed at your workplace to improve efficiency, and describe what happened as a result of your effort. Nonprofit employers like to see examples of individual initiative driving innovation and change if it helps the organization in the long run.

Nonprofits are always trying to find ways to do things more efficiently to become better stewards of the money they receive. Your answer will be especially intriguing to the interviewer if you give an example of a time when your suggestion for process improvement led directly to saving money or increased funding in some way.

"When I worked as a volunteer coordinator, my organization was still using paper files to keep records on volunteer contact information and other personal information. This was a tedious process, especially in terms of preparing for the annual audit. So, I recruited a volunteer to assist me with the task of scanning each volunteer record into a digital database I designed on our organization's Shared Drive. This was a searchable database, so when the auditor came, I could immediately pull records. It also allowed a greater level of detail to be entered on each volunteer's page."

How do you prioritize multiple projects when they all seem equally important?

"In my previous role as Program Director at the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, I was responsible for simultaneously presenting a plan for program improvements, ensuring accurate records pulled for the annual audit, and developing a new program that would allow volunteers to work from home during the pandemic. Each of these tasks had a deadline in the same week. The first step was to make a list of each project, its goals, and the staff members required to carry it out. Next, I placed deadlines on a calendar so that I could physically see when dates were approaching. Finally, I assessed each staff member's task in relation to the overall goal of the individual project to determine which tasks were more complex and which ones were easier to accomplish. This allowed me to prioritize every aspect of the projects and yielded strong results."

As a nonprofit employee, you will be managing multiple projects simultaneously. Prioritizing is a skill that requires practice. There are many approaches you can take. Here are some suggestions:1) Make a list. By thinking through and writing down each item that needs to be completed, you can see it on paper. 2) Mark what is urgent or essential. Take into account deadlines and meetings. 3) Prioritize each task based on effort and estimated value. Considering due dates and how long it will take to do each item (also considering how much time you have). Your answer to this question should show the interviewer that you have a system in place to think through what needs to happen and when. The better you can prioritize, the more productive you will be, making you an asset to the organization!

Try not to present an unrealistic view of what you can reasonably accomplish to deliver quality results. For example, instead of claiming that you are a workhorse who can manage multiple projects without any problems because of sheer drive and determination, succinctly delineate your process for accomplishing these goals.

"As a communications associate working with a very small nonprofit agency, I was frequently required to manage many projects at the same time. I was responsible for updating all of our social media accounts, maintaining the website, and writing copy for our annual report and donor communications. I was able to utilize technology such as HootSuite to schedule posts for Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook engagement. This was a simple task that helped manage an enormous load of posting and responding to comments. As a result, I had more time to learn the complexities of website development, which was new to me until last year. I always prioritize my tasks in terms of complexity and seek out new technology that allows my work to be done with greater efficiency."

At Human Rights Watch, we aim to hire individuals who can wear many different 'hats' in our organization. What other job functions could you perform?

"Although my primary area of expertise is researching community impact of public policies, I also have an in-depth understanding of the grant-seeking cycle as well as best practices for donor engagement thanks to my time working in local nonprofit development. As a result, I feel uniquely qualified to take on this role and contribute to strategizing ways to expand the organization's portfolio of private foundation grants since Human Rights Watch does not accept government funding."

Every nonprofit organization seeks to hire the most diverse talent possible. This strategy saves the cost of over-staffing. Talk to the interviewer about your multiple skills and abilities. Now is not the time to be humble! It can also be helpful to research different departments and similar position descriptions at Human Rights Watch so that you can reference them by name and function. This reveals your in-depth knowledge of the organization and shows you understand its structure.

This is a good opportunity to highlight the diversity of your skillset, but be careful not to make a long list of special skills, knowledge, and abilities. Pick a few that demonstrate your range, flexibility, and adaptability.

"In my previous job as an HR assistant, I was asked to train a new group of employees, since my supervisor was on vacation for a week. Until that point, I had been solely focused on background checks and administrative tasks and wasn't comfortable with the extroversion required for this. However, I quickly discovered I have a talent for training, and now I feel just as comfortable conducting digital research for many concurrent hours as I do training employees for their first day of work. I believe it is important to master skills related to one's specific job and to understand the functions of everyone else on your team, especially in a nonprofit environment."

Do you know anyone who has worked for Human Rights Watch before? What kind of feedback have you received on our organization?

"Although I am not personally acquainted with any current or former employees of Human Rights Watch, I did have the chance to read what others have written about their experiences and to examine the organization's profile on Charity Navigator. Employees overwhelmingly express their satisfaction with Human Rights Watch's commitment to the mission. I am excited about the possibility of joining a team that is laser-focused on its mission to advocate for human rights around the world. As with any nonprofit environment, I read that working with this organization requires an ability to wear many hats; as an employee, adaptability is one of my strengths and joys. With any organization I consider joining, I want to ensure leadership is transparent with financials, so I was pleased to see Charity Navigator assign high marks to Human Rights Watch in the areas of accountability and transparency."

This can be a tricky question to answer for any organization. If you have talked to an employee of Human Rights Watch, make sure to sandwich criticisms with praise. First, say something positive about the organization, and then say something that could be improved. Next, provide another positive example. If you have never met or talked to anyone who has worked there, show that you have done your research by perusing social media or websites like Glassdoor and observing what people are saying there.

It is critical when answering questions like this to make sure any negative reviews shared with the interviewer are coupled with constructive ideas for improvement. You don't need to heap praise upon the organization because that will come across as insincere. However, offering suggestions for improvement demonstrates you want to help the organization operate more efficiently towards advancing its mission.

"Employees on Glassdoor seem quite pleased with the organization's commitment to its mission of advocating for human rights globally. There are always ways to improve transparency with leadership and associates and to develop opportunities for advancement. When employees know Human Rights Watch supports their professional development, they are more likely to stay longer. Still, I was very impressed to see the overall enjoyment employees of Human Rights Watch experience at their workplace, and they consistently praise the seriousness and level of expertise amongst staff members."

Have you ever been advised by a fellow employee or supervisor to lie about a situation? How did you handle this ethical dilemma?

"During a particularly difficult year of fundraising, one of my teammates, the corporate fundraiser, asked me to fudge a bit in my line items. He had not met his quarterly fundraising goal, and I had exceeded mine by a few thousand dollars. He suggested I allow him to add a thousand dollars to his report and remove that amount from mine. He assured me he would have the funding by the next report. I told him I could not participate in that offer and encouraged him to seek the counsel of our department head, who is gifted in procuring last-minute donations of that size. After meeting with her, the corporate fundraiser was able to fulfill his quota and apologized for his behavior."

Ethical dilemmas in the workplace will come up from time to time. Assure the interviewer that you can handle these types of difficulties with professionalism and poise.

Instead of focusing too heavily on the negative behavior of your co-worker or supervisor when you share this experience, highlight the specific ways you engaged the person asking you to participate in the lie. Then, talk about the steps you took after denying the request.

"I was working on a research project in the Phillippines with a fellow researcher when we were both employed with an NGO studying the effects of tsunamis on coastal communities. As we integrated ourselves into their society, my fellow researcher made connections with representatives from the local government who had information about governmental responses to natural disasters that my associate could not resist. They offered him this privileged information in exchange for omitting a few key details regarding their negligence in providing proper assistance to impoverished districts. My associate knew this would boost his career as well as mine, so he offered me the opportunity to partake in this information, even though it was unethical. I refused, but my associate kept insisting. Because of his persistence, I had no choice but to report his activities to our immediate supervisor, who insisted I attend a virtual meeting with Human Resources to make a statement about the situation. Although it wasn't easy to report a friend and co-worker, I knew it was the right thing to do to preserve the integrity of our organization's global image."

Many nonprofits take an apologetic approach when asking for funding. What is your fundraising approach?

"Over the last decade, I have had the opportunity to hone the standard donor cycle of identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship with my unique ability to build sincere relationships. Because people feel comfortable with me, I likewise feel comfortable asking for the funding we need. With my current organization, I have developed a network of loyal supporters pledging and fulfilling gifts totaling five million dollars in program support and double that amount for our endowment. Because I focus heavily on the cultivation part of the donor cycle, I believe my relationships with donors ensure a lasting commitment to the organization."

Share your unique process for making a fundraising ask. Incorporate as many steps of the donor cycle as possible; this will highlight your expertise. Assure the interviewer that you are comfortable when it comes to asking for funds and provide numbers that show your success in reaching fundraising goals. This is also a good opportunity to demonstrate institutional knowledge by providing an example of how you might connect a potential funder's passions with the mission of Human Rights Watch.

Although it is important to show an understanding of the donor cycle, avoid boilerplate responses. Instead, provide specific details about what makes your fundraising strategy unique within the context of the standard donor cycle. Large organizations like Human Rights Watch often have large financial resources and many supporters. You don't need to reinvent the wheel in this case. Just show your skill and creativity at doing this particular job.

"Before I make an ask, I make sure the potential donor feels connected to the mission of the organization. In my previous role raising funds for a Meals on Wheels program, I discovered that many donors expressed initial interest because they also had family members who had benefitted from the program or could find themselves needing the program in the future. Finding the personal connection to the organization's mission and showing specifics in terms of how that money would be spent made the donor more receptive to an ask. This strategy has yielded reliable financial support for the Meals on Wheels program, and I was able to receive firm commitments from a dozen individual donors giving at a level over $50,000 a year."

How do you encourage generosity in others, whether it be their ability to contribute financially or with their time?

"Thanks to my three years interning with a local nonprofit development team, I have been exposed to every level of the donor cycle. I was responsible for stewarding relationships with donors who committed sums under $1,000 with the ultimate goal of solidifying their connection to the organization and moving them into a higher donor bracket. In those two years, I committed over a dozen new donors at the $1,000 level and stewarded three existing donors to the $5,000-$10,000 level. My work crafting annual reports showed the donors the exact ways in which their money was used to create change in the community."

The interviewer would like to know that you can be an advocate for the organization when it comes to fundraising and recruiting for Human Rights Watch. Talk to the interviewer about your ability to cultivate and steward relationships with supporters, formulate an appropriate ask, and procure financial and/or in-kind contributions.

Whether or not you are specifically applying for a fundraising position in the organization, nonprofit employees are always encouraged to spread the word about the organization and its mission to continue to bolster financial and volunteer support. However, if you are applying for a fundraising position, then presenting your in-depth knowledge of the donor cycle will be critical here. If you are applying for a volunteer recruitment position, then it will be equally important to demonstrate how you get people to commit.

"When people know how their time and resources are specifically benefitting others, they are more likely to contribute. Many people want to donate to an organization but lack the financial means to do so. One of my joys is helping people find ways to get involved, even if they can't make a monetary donation. One of my mother's friends is a retired social worker who I knew was looking to get involved in the community. I told her that my organization was looking for a person to advocate for the rights of nursing home inhabitants due to the increasing caseload. This gave her a purpose and a place to apply her skills and passion for helping others. She ended up becoming the first permanent volunteer in that program."

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 "

Many people enter the nonprofit sector because they want to help people. What they do not realize is that nonprofit organizations also have funding needs to meet. This is a good opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of nonprofit financial goals and show how you will help the organization meet those goals. If you have never worked in a nonprofit environment before, this would be a chance to show how your sales experience or general relationship-building skills will benefit the organization's fundraising goals.

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.

"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."

How does Human Rights Watch fit into your professional development plan?

"So far, I have worked as a program assistant for the Sociology Department during my undergraduate years. Then, I became a Teaching Assistant when I was getting my Master's Degree in Urban Planning. My first job out of grad school was working with a community development organization to gather input from community stakeholders regarding the building of a new centralized park. All of these experiences sparked the fire in me to embrace a career in field research. I believe Human Rights Watch is the perfect organization to contribute my research skills to advance the cause of human rights around the world. I would relish the opportunity to join a team of expert researchers in the field and grow professionally with their mentorship and guidance."

This is a good opportunity to show how working at Human Rights Watch is the logical next step in your career. Address specific jobs you have had, skills you possess, and where you would like to see yourself in the future.

Avoid giving any indication that you plan to leave Human Rights Watch at any point in the future. Instead, try to illustrate how you can continue your career path with their organization.

"Ever since I began studying human rights abuses in my history courses in college, I have been aware of the good work Human Rights Watch does to expose these abuses and attempt to hold their enablers accountable. It has been a dream of mine to work for this organization, so I am deeply honored to be granted an interview. As I continue to hone my research skills, I am excited about the prospect of growing with Human Rights Watch through their Early Career path. This will provide me with the necessary tools to develop professionally, and I am eager to bring those tools to bear through a continued career with your organization."

Human Rights Watch is a fast-paced environment where employees often juggle multiple projects and responsibilities. How do you handle stress on the job?

"No one is free from stress in today's world, but we choose how we react when those situations arise. This is particularly true in the nonprofit field. During the holiday season at my current job, we manage simultaneous fundraising events, process and acknowledge greater numbers of donations, and respond to an increase in requests for volunteer opportunities. This can be a challenging time for a small staff. Practicing excellent time management strategies keeps my mind focused amidst the chaos. This focus gives me something tangible to hold onto as I complete tasks with deadlines and address any issues to spring up that must be immediately attended to."

Most nonprofits require employees to be adaptable and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously in addition to any regular tasks. Talk to the interviewer about your ability to control pressure in the workplace and share what strategies you employ to keep calm when there are multiple deadlines to meet.

Acknowledge the role of your co-workers and supervisor within the context of how you conduct yourself during times of stress. Highlight how you interact with others and maintain a standard of professionalism at all times despite whatever challenges you face.

"During stressful times at work, it is easy to become irritated and impatient with others. Honestly, this used to be a weakness of mine. However, I always want to improve on my weaknesses, so for the past seven years, I have participated in daily breathing and meditation practice before leaving for work. This has helped me enormously in terms of learning patience and understanding of my co-workers. I have felt more empowered to express my ideas for managing high-volume requests for public assistance during economic recessions and have learned better ways for communicating with people when I disagree with them on something. I plan to begin incorporating yoga into my morning routine as well."

Do you feel performance should be rewarded over experience?

"On one hand, employees with longer tenure often have greater institutional knowledge, and that is invaluable in terms of mentoring new employees and discussing the future direction of the organization. Their dedication should be rewarded. On the other hand, long tenure ought to be accompanied by strong work performance. I don't think one should be prioritized over the other. I think they are both equally important and ought to be acknowledged as such in terms of compensation."

It would be advisable to highlight the positive aspects of rewarding employees based on tenure as well as results. This will demonstrate your respect for those who have been with the organization for a long time and illustrate your commitment to delivering high-quality work.

According to reviews from former employees on Glassdoor, Human Rights Watch has many long-tenured individuals in positions of leadership, making it difficult to advance within the organization. Construct an answer that acknowledges rewarding both tenure and quality work.

"Strong work ethic results in higher-quality deliverables, and an employee's efforts to perform their duties wholly and with excellence should yield appropriate acknowledgment. When an employee feels like their work is respected and rewarded, they will work with even greater dedication, which will very likely lead to them serving longer tenures with the organization. As a result, I believe performance is a necessary precursor to experience."

How do you like to encourage ideas in others?

"Although I have been Research Director at my organization for the last ten years, I highly value original ideas and encourage my team members to come to me with fresh thoughts that can improve the data we gather and how we use that data to make decisions that will positively affect our community. I strongly believe that we can never commit to one way of doing things or else we will never grow as an organization. Showing my team that their thoughts are not only welcomed but sought-after and respected is critical in fostering a dedicated and forward-thinking research team. I try to implement as many of their ideas as possible and when not possible, I make an effort to provide my team member with positive, constructive feedback."

In a nonprofit environment, encouragement amongst team members is very important to boost each other's morale and efficiency whenever multiple projects have approaching deadlines or some creativity is required to meet a fundraising goal. Whatever the case may be, explain how you go about fostering a team environment that empowers others to contribute new and creative ideas.

This one can be tricky. Avoid talking about ideas that came from you initially. Instead, focus on the specific ways you help others access ideas for themselves, make them confident in pursuing those ideas, and contribute to a comfortable team environment for them to share those ideas.

"I frequently communicate with other members on my team and get to know them as individuals. When I understand what motivates them and excites them in the workplace, I can see ways to encourage them to think more creatively. For example, when my team was recently developing a new concert series meant to raise funds for our program addressing childhood heart disease, one of my teammates seemed displeased with our communication plan for procuring musicians for the show. Since I knew this co-worker was interested in music and was also gifted with verbal communication, I asked if he would develop a new communications plan to present at the next meeting. He was pleased with the opportunity to take ownership of this task, and his plan was accepted by the rest of the team."

Would you say you are a better verbal or written communicator?

"I prefer verbal communication because it allows me to interact face-to-face with someone. This kind of interaction helps with expressing and understanding someone's tone, fluctuation, expression, and body language. As a volunteer recruiter, it is very important to meet in person when possible and over video chat when meeting face-to-face is not a possibility. Being able to express passion for my organization's mission is integral in making lasting connections with potential new volunteers."

Choose your preferred method of communication, and highlight some individual examples that demonstrate your communication skills in the workplace. Both of these styles are equally important, so embrace who you are and explain why it makes you right for this job.

If you feel you are gifted in both verbal and written communication, don't shy away from embracing both. Just remember to support your answer with details from your experience.

"I like to leverage both methods of communications in my professional interactions. Sometimes, a simple text, chat, or email is enough for basic tasks or asking and answering easy questions. This mode of written communication is effective and saves time, as long as the message is clear and succinct. For more complex questions or when deciding an important issue, I think verbal communication is important because it allows for greater nuance and can help express one's intentions more clearly. As CEO of a nonprofit in the past, I felt it was integral to our biannual, all-employee meeting for everyone to attend in person. This allowed me to demonstrate my sincerity in wanting to listen to their opinions about better directions for the organization."

Tell me about your greatest work-related accomplishment.

"My greatest accomplishment as a project manager was the development and execution of a plan to improve technology organization-wide. Not only did I create a timeline to deliver new computers, phone systems, and hardware for our IT Department, but I also worked closely with Accounting and a professional grant writer to plan funding for the rollout. In the end, we were able to provide updated technology to assist all of our employees, which helped streamline their work with the clients we serve. I could not have accomplished this without a hardworking, dedicated, communicative team."

Talking about your most significant accomplishment will give the interviewer a firm idea of your values. It will also show the interviewer more about your personality, how you like to be motivated, and potentially how you interact as a member of a team. Show that you are proud of yourself and your career accomplishments!

While it is important to be confident when discussing one's achievements, it is also important to remain humble. Try not to sound arrogant or self-important. Instead, simply highlight your role in delivering the accomplishment and show how it positively impacted the organization and those your organization serves.

"I love developing and planning special events that raise money to support our organization's programs! I had an idea to ask a regional theater if they would be willing to host a lip-sync battle between local celebrities to fund our newest program that provides new books for children. I eagerly met with leaders of the theater to sort out the event space, worked with our organization's volunteer coordinator to discuss volunteer positions required, and reached out to several local musicians, politicians, sports stars, and more to create our roster of lip-sync competitors. I love taking the initiative to pull off ambitious new projects. While there were certainly speed bumps along the way, I pride myself on my adaptability, and we ultimately were able to fully fund the new book program because of the success of that event."

Tell me about a contribution you made to the last team you worked on.

"I work on a community outreach team of four people tasked with planning and implementing special events and recruiting, training, retaining, and recognizing volunteers. Since we have a packed schedule of events and a large number of volunteers to manage, the four of us have to understand each other's roles completely so we can step in if someone is out for a day or longer. This also means we have to have excellent communication skills to achieve our goals. When things got especially busy during last year's holiday season, I devised a system wherein one team member would sign up to cover office tasks for another team member while they were out of the office to set up our annual Christmas fundraising event. This ensured that our normal tasks were completed as we were simultaneously preparing for the event."

It is essential to show the interviewer that you are a team player. Explain how you operate and communicate in a team dynamic, and share a specific example of a time your involvement in a team led to the successful completion of a goal.

Do not elevate yourself and only say negative things about others on your team. Be as positive as possible. Even if there were struggles, this is a good opportunity to show how you can continue to function in a team setting when there are challenges or obstacles along the way.

"I work on a development team which includes individual and corporate fundraisers and donor operations specialists. I am the volunteer coordinator. As the only person working with volunteers on the development team, I decided I could use my strength of building relationships to identify potential donors amongst my portfolio of active volunteers and perhaps steward them to the point where they would be open to a donation ask by one of my fundraising teammates. This resulted in a large number of volunteers contributing small amounts monthly. This helped the fundraisers meet their individual goals."

Give me an example of a time you went above and beyond.

"During last year's annual audit of volunteer records, my supervisor asked me to compile a list of current active volunteers, including information about which department they assist, when they started, and how many hours they have given to the organization. I provided this report in a timely and accurate manner. I also knew that the communications team was interested in receiving a similar breakdown of volunteer information, but they were interested in more complicated data regarding volunteer demographics and their in-kind value relative to hours served. They hadn't specifically asked me to do this for them, but I had the records pulled already, and it only took me a few more minutes to provide this information, which they were able to use to craft their annual report of the organization's program results and financials."

Demonstrate to the interviewer that you can do more than the bare minimum and strive for excellence in your daily tasks and larger work projects. Show that you can take the initiative and balance multiple responsibilities when you see something that needs to be done, but no one has asked you specifically to complete that task.

Stress that while you are always willing to go the extra mile, even take on additional work, you never sacrifice quality in the name of delivering more than was asked of you. Avoid promising more than you can offer.

"Things often get really busy during the holidays as more people want to give of their time and resources to serve their communities. Because of this, my supervisor asked if I would be willing to complete a last-minute project streamlining the application process for families seeking rent and utility assistance. This project was outside my typical sphere of responsibility, but it was definitely within my skillset. I spent a few hours developing a plan for the implementation of the new application process to present to our leadership team. I acknowledged that I would need assistance from a specialized volunteer to help with the digitization of the application because I did not want to sacrifice the quality of my standard duties. I worked with the volunteer coordinator to procure this help, and together we were able to deliver on my supervisor's request."

Do you have experience with writing grant proposals?

"I fully understand the importance of grant proposals as this process accounts for millions of dollars awarded every year to a variety of causes. Because of my undergraduate and graduate research in public policy, I have developed strong writing skills. Although my current organization employs professional writers to do these tasks, I have provided data for grant proposals and understand the grant-seeking cycle. I would be thrilled to further develop my skills in this area by completing grant proposals for Human Rights Watch."

Grant seeking is a vital part of many nonprofit organizations. If you have exposure to this type of work, walk the interviewer through some of your grant-seeking successes. Don't be shy about sharing the financial yields of some of your grant-seeking efforts! If you do not have experience in this area, discuss how you could assist and learn.

Keep in mind that Human Rights Watch does not accept government funding, and acknowledging that in an interview will show you have done your homework. Government funding is often a large part of a nonprofit's grant cycle, so share your insight into how you would account for that gap in potential funding sources.

"I have written hundreds of grant proposals throughout the years seeking funding from private foundations, corporations, individual entities, and government agencies. These proposals have resulted in fully-funding five programs providing food and shelter for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. I understand that Humans Rights Watch does not accept government funding, and I have years of experience sourcing funding from private foundations and corporations. Consequently, not only is my portfolio vast but so is my knowledge on how to find new sources."

What experience do you have using team-based messaging applications?

"I have used a variety of messaging applications to communicate with team members. I am well-versed in using Slack, ProofHub, Chanty, Google Hangouts, Zoom, and Skype as effective apps to hold meetings, manage projects, ask questions, and update team members on current tasks or milestones. I adapt quickly to any kind of technology required of me to enhance my efficiency and support team building. What team-based messaging applications do you use?"

There are many options for communication software and messaging applications. Give the interviewer a brief overview of the apps in which you are proficient and show your willingness and ability to learn new technology as well.

Human Rights Watch is a global organization. As such, there are a plethora of employees working from different time zones and working remotely. It is essential to demonstrate an aptitude for utilizing technology to maintain consistent communications with team members no matter where they are located.

"I started working remotely two years ago because my role answering calls from depressed and suicidal youth could be done from home, and the privacy of my own home enhanced my ability to talk these young people through very challenging thoughts and emotions. It did, however, pose unique challenges in terms of communicating with other members of my team. As such, my supervisor wanted those of us who had recently gone remote to quickly teach ourselves how to use Zoom chat and video features to effectively communicate with each other throughout the workday and workweek. This helped us better provide updates on client calls and continue to build our bonds as a team."

In your opinion, how can Human Rights Watch continue to leverage social media in its fundraising efforts?

"I was the social media marketing lead for Company ABC for approximately eight months while we back-filled a marketing position. I feel that small and fast fundraising goals work well on social media. The efforts don't necessarily need to be solely financial focused either. For instance, if you look at the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Not only did it raise an incredible amount of funds - but it also raised a huge amount of awareness of the disease."

More nonprofit organizations are seeing the benefits of social media for fundraising. If you have ever taken on social media-related activities, be sure to mention this to the interviewer. Be sure to discuss any social media activities you were responsible for that resulted in raising funds or increased social media engagement for your previous workplace.

Remember that while smaller nonprofits might not have a devoted social media staff person, larger nonprofits like Human Rights Watch have a strong social media presence already. Instead of attempting to reinvent the wheel, show your knowledge of Human Rights Watch's current social media presence by sharing ideas you have for engaging new demographics or boosting the engagement of current followers. It could also be useful to highlight any specialties that make you unique, such as the ability to edit videos.

"I was very impressed to see Human Rights Watch's massive social media following on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The posts are an excellent blend of informing readers about specific human rights abuses around the world and offering them opportunities to contribute to making a difference. And if they can't contribute financially, they can simply share the post to raise awareness. As an avid user of TikTok, I am constantly editing and uploading videos to their platform, and I think that platform is an opportunity to connect with Gen Z, perhaps beginning the process of stewarding supporters among their generation."

Human Rights Watch Interview Questions

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1. Do you have experience recruiting interns and/or volunteers? While Human Rights Watch does not rely on a great amount of volunteer labor, we do pride ourselves on our internship program.
2. What is your philosophy regarding work-life balance?
3. Salaries are not typically as competitive with nonprofits as they are with corporate positions. What are your salary expectations?
4. Rate your communication skills from 1-10 with proper examples backing your given rating.
5. When have you shown great integrity at work?
6. In your opinion, what are the greatest challenges in our global community?
7. On a scale from 1 to 10, how honest are you?
8. Are you applying for any other jobs?
9. We want to know what you are passionate about. If you could work for any cause, what would you choose?
10. At Human Rights Watch, we want to hire those who are passionate about reporting global human rights abuses. How do you connect with this aspect of our mission?
11. Do you have any additional questions about Human Rights Watch and the work we do globally?
12. What unique experiences, skills, or characteristics do you have that you believe would make you a valuable asset to Human Rights Watch?
13. Why do you want to work in the nonprofit sector when you can earn more money working in a profit driven corporate environment?
14. Although we don't offer many volunteer opportunities with Human Rights Watch, we do have a robust internship program and want to work with individuals who value volunteerism. Walk me through your volunteer experience.
15. What suggestions do you have for Human Rights Watch to improve as an organization?
16. At nonprofits like Human Rights Watch, budgeting is an important part of our financial reality. How have you managed a tight budget in the past?
17. Tell me about a time when you took the initiative to improve work related procedures.
18. How do you prioritize multiple projects when they all seem equally important?
19. At Human Rights Watch, we aim to hire individuals who can wear many different 'hats' in our organization. What other job functions could you perform?
20. Do you know anyone who has worked for Human Rights Watch before? What kind of feedback have you received on our organization?
21. Have you ever been advised by a fellow employee or supervisor to lie about a situation? How did you handle this ethical dilemma?
22. Many nonprofits take an apologetic approach when asking for funding. What is your fundraising approach?
23. How do you encourage generosity in others, whether it be their ability to contribute financially or with their time?
24. 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?
25. How does Human Rights Watch fit into your professional development plan?
26. Human Rights Watch is a fast-paced environment where employees often juggle multiple projects and responsibilities. How do you handle stress on the job?
27. Do you feel performance should be rewarded over experience?
28. How do you like to encourage ideas in others?
29. Would you say you are a better verbal or written communicator?
30. Tell me about your greatest work-related accomplishment.
31. Tell me about a contribution you made to the last team you worked on.
32. Give me an example of a time you went above and beyond.
33. Do you have experience with writing grant proposals?
34. What experience do you have using team-based messaging applications?
35. In your opinion, how can Human Rights Watch continue to leverage social media in its fundraising efforts?

Human Rights Watch Interview Questions

1. Do you have experience recruiting interns and/or volunteers? While Human Rights Watch does not rely on a great amount of volunteer labor, we do pride ourselves on our internship program.

2. What is your philosophy regarding work-life balance?

3. Salaries are not typically as competitive with nonprofits as they are with corporate positions. What are your salary expectations?

4. Rate your communication skills from 1-10 with proper examples backing your given rating.

5. When have you shown great integrity at work?

6. In your opinion, what are the greatest challenges in our global community?

7. On a scale from 1 to 10, how honest are you?

8. Are you applying for any other jobs?

9. We want to know what you are passionate about. If you could work for any cause, what would you choose?

10. At Human Rights Watch, we want to hire those who are passionate about reporting global human rights abuses. How do you connect with this aspect of our mission?

11. Do you have any additional questions about Human Rights Watch and the work we do globally?

12. What unique experiences, skills, or characteristics do you have that you believe would make you a valuable asset to Human Rights Watch?

13. Why do you want to work in the nonprofit sector when you can earn more money working in a profit driven corporate environment?

14. Although we don't offer many volunteer opportunities with Human Rights Watch, we do have a robust internship program and want to work with individuals who value volunteerism. Walk me through your volunteer experience.

15. What suggestions do you have for Human Rights Watch to improve as an organization?

16. At nonprofits like Human Rights Watch, budgeting is an important part of our financial reality. How have you managed a tight budget in the past?

17. Tell me about a time when you took the initiative to improve work related procedures.

18. How do you prioritize multiple projects when they all seem equally important?

19. At Human Rights Watch, we aim to hire individuals who can wear many different 'hats' in our organization. What other job functions could you perform?

20. Do you know anyone who has worked for Human Rights Watch before? What kind of feedback have you received on our organization?

21. Have you ever been advised by a fellow employee or supervisor to lie about a situation? How did you handle this ethical dilemma?

22. Many nonprofits take an apologetic approach when asking for funding. What is your fundraising approach?

23. How do you encourage generosity in others, whether it be their ability to contribute financially or with their time?

24. 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?

25. How does Human Rights Watch fit into your professional development plan?

26. Human Rights Watch is a fast-paced environment where employees often juggle multiple projects and responsibilities. How do you handle stress on the job?

27. Do you feel performance should be rewarded over experience?

28. How do you like to encourage ideas in others?

29. Would you say you are a better verbal or written communicator?

30. Tell me about your greatest work-related accomplishment.

31. Tell me about a contribution you made to the last team you worked on.

32. Give me an example of a time you went above and beyond.

33. Do you have experience with writing grant proposals?

34. What experience do you have using team-based messaging applications?

35. In your opinion, how can Human Rights Watch continue to leverage social media in its fundraising efforts?