What do you do if your interviewers want to know about your past successes in non-profit program development?

2 Use the STAR method

One of the most effective ways to answer behavioral questions, such as those about your past successes, is to use the STAR method. This stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result, and it helps you structure your answer in a clear and concise way. Start by describing the situation or the problem that you faced in your previous or current non-profit program development role. Then, explain the task or the goal that you had to achieve, and what were the main challenges or constraints that you had to overcome. Next, describe the action or the steps that you took to plan, implement, and evaluate the program, and how you used your skills and knowledge to do so. Finally, highlight the result or the outcome of your action, and how it benefited the organization and the community. Use specific examples and numbers to quantify your impact and demonstrate your success.

3 Highlight your skills and qualities

As you answer the question using the STAR method, make sure to highlight the skills and qualities that are relevant and valuable for non-profit program development. These may include analytical, creative, strategic, and critical thinking skills, as well as communication, collaboration, leadership, and project management skills. You should also emphasize your passion, commitment, and motivation for working in the non-profit sector, and how you align with the organization's mission and values. Show that you are adaptable, flexible, and resourceful, and that you can work effectively in a dynamic and complex environment.

4 Ask for feedback

After you have shared your past successes in non-profit program development, don't forget to ask for feedback from the interviewers. This will show that you are eager to learn and improve, and that you value their opinions and insights. You can also use this opportunity to ask them more questions about the organization and the program you are applying for, and how they measure and evaluate their success. This will help you demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm for the role, and also give you more information to prepare for the next steps of the hiring process.