What do you do if your social impact experience isn't shining during an interview?

1 Know your story

Before you go to any interview, you should have a clear and compelling narrative of who you are, what you've done, and why you're interested in the role. This is especially important for social impact jobs, where your motivation and values are crucial. Think of specific examples from your social impact experience that demonstrate your skills, achievements, and impact. Prepare to tell these stories using the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, and Result. This will help you structure your answers and highlight your contribution and outcomes.

2 Research the organization

To show that you're a good fit for the organization and its mission, you need to do your homework. Research the organization's history, vision, values, programs, and impact. Find out what challenges and opportunities they're facing, and what kind of skills and qualities they're looking for. You can use their website, social media, annual reports, newsletters, and other sources to gather information. You can also reach out to current or former employees or volunteers to get an insider's perspective.

3 Align your values

One of the most important aspects of a social impact interview is to demonstrate that you share the organization's values and vision. You can do this by expressing your passion and enthusiasm for their cause, and showing how your social impact experience aligns with their goals and strategies. You can also ask questions that show your interest and curiosity about their work and culture. For example, you can ask about their impact measurement, their partnerships, their challenges, or their future plans.

4 Showcase your skills

While your social impact experience is valuable, it may not be enough to convince the interviewer that you have the skills and competencies they need. You need to show how your experience translates to the specific role and tasks you're applying for. You can do this by using relevant keywords and jargon from the job description, and highlighting how your social impact experience has helped you develop or improve those skills. For example, if the role requires project management, you can mention how you planned, executed, and evaluated a social impact project.

5 Address the gaps

Sometimes, your social impact experience may not be directly related to the role or the organization you're applying to. In that case, you need to address the gaps and show how you can overcome them. You can do this by emphasizing your transferable skills, such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, or creativity. You can also show your willingness and ability to learn new skills, adapt to different contexts, and take on new challenges. You can also mention any relevant courses, certifications, or resources you've used or plan to use to fill the gaps.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?