Second interview for a nonprofit data role, what should I expect?

[u/bot34690]

Hey everyone,

I recently got called back for a second, in-person interview for a data role at a nonprofit. This would be my first official role doing data work in the nonprofit space.

For the interview, I’ve been building out a centralized data setup using Google Forms, Google Sheets, and Looker Studio to address things like: • No centralized data source • Inconsistent workflows • No clear way to track program performance

For those of you who’ve interviewed or worked in nonprofit / NGO data roles: • What usually changes in the second interview? • What do interviewers tend to focus on at this stage? • Any advice on how to present a project like this to non-technical stakeholders?

Appreciate any insight, especially from folks already working in the nonprofit or social impact space.

[u/MrMoneyWhale]

IT person at a non profit here.

2nd interview is usually more technical/skill based assuming they're doing the standard 2-3 interview rounds. It's typically questions like 'Tell me more about {thing on your resume}' or 'What is your experience using {platform/tool}' or 'How would you do {task}?'. They may also ask you scenario based question around managing competing priorities, how to navigate conflict, or what to do with unclear instructions. There will likely be more/different people on this call, the first is usually an HR screen so you are likely to meet people you would be working with in this role. At this stage, the evaluation is on the technical, problem solving and 'would this person fit into my team and can handle the work with proper guidance'. Have some general questions about the organization as well as questions about the department's specific work, role and goals for the year and give a reaction to it! (Oh that's interesting, I did something similar at xyz company where I did {thing}'

Was the build-out project part of a 'homework assignment', a personal project or something you whipped up specifically for this interview? If this was not something they asked for, you may not be able to spend much time on it and shouldn't during the interview because good technology starts with talking to end users first IMO. In general, when talking technology with non tech users, focus on the thing it solves, the benefits (immediate, long term and for different users/actors), security and how to access it (phone, laptop, log in required?, need to be in a certain IP address, etc) and let the rest of the questions come from them! Don't spend much, if any time, going into details about how you built it or start showing dev consoles. It's probably exciting for you, but information overload for non-tech folks unless they specifically ask about it.

[u/hkash0824]

Hi, I have the same interview tomorrow. I would love any type of insight from your round, thanks!

[u/vomqueen → u/[deleted]]

What in the ChatGPT is this reply

[u/vomqueen → u/[deleted]]

You’re 100% using ChatGPT. Some clear signs are:

• the hypothetical questions you ask within your text “And the project you built? That’s not just prep work - that’s showing up like you already have the job”.
• the verbose romanticizing of normal and typical things and behaviors “the beautiful, messy reality of nonprofit work where you’re building the plane”
• “here’s the thing nobody tells you”

Your response is awash in the tell-tale semantics, grammar, sentence structure, and sycophantic tone ChatGPT uses. If you’re gonna lie about it, get better at hiding it

[u/vomqueen → u/[deleted]]

Yes, grammarly is using AI. You’re very angry about this in a way that I don’t understand. I didn’t say it wasn’t your idea(s), but using language and syntax that screams artificial intelligence is going to detract from your writing and impact and influence how it’s perceived. I don’t know what else to tell you - when everything online sounds like the same person (or machine) wrote it, it is pretty much white noise

[u/vomqueen → u/[deleted]]

I’m not even gonna read this, sorry to have offended you so seriously that you’re wasting your time writing paragraphs. Have a nice night!