Talent Market

Talent Market is a nonprofit whose mission is to promote liberty by providing talent for critical roles within the free-market nonprofit sector

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Interviewing Tips

Ten Interviewing Tips for Job Seekers

1. Be Yourself

Not only is this good dating advice, it’s also great interview advice. No matter how badly you think you want the job, remember to just be you. If you try to force it, you may end up with a job you aren’t a fit for, or worse, you may miss out on a great job for which you would have been perfect.

2. It’s Not All About You

Too many candidates make the mistake of talking too much about themselves during the interview and failing to listen or ask questions. The more information you can glean from the interviewer(s), the better informed you will be about whether this is a job you truly want.

3. Don’t Pretend to Walk on Water

During the interview, you are bound to be asked about your weaknesses. Please, for the love of Pete, do not give a hollow answer such as “I work too hard.” Not only with the interviewer see right through you, she might also be concerned you are hiding a big, ugly weakness. Be ready to talk openly about a legitimate flaw you have and how you are working to improve in that area.

4. Do Your Homework

Before you interview, thoroughly research the organization and the staff with whom you will be meeting. Know about the role you are interviewing for, and have questions prepared. And it never hurts to throw in some questions for the hiring manager that might just strike a good nerve: “Claire, I understand you went to Notre Dame. I love the Fightin’ Irish! Do you ever make it back for football games?”

5. Better to Overdress Than Underdress

If you’re unsure about the office attire, ask before you interview how you should dress. But when in doubt, overdress. Wearing a suit in a business casual environment never hurt anybody’s chances, but wearing jeans in a formal business attire setting has left a lot of folks spending more quality time with the Classifieds.

6. Be Nice To Anyone You Meet in the Powder Room

Inevitably, you’ll visit the powder room beforehand and run into someone. That someone may be the person you are about to interview with, so be on your best behavior. I once complimented a woman on her shoes, and she turned out to be the hiring manager’s right-hand-gal. I got the job.

7. No Soliloquies, Please

As a general rule, keep your responses to the interviewer’s question brief – one to two minutes max. If they want more detail, they can always ask. If you ramble on to the point you have to stop and ask, “I’m sorry, what was the question again?” you have probably said too much.

8. Do You Want to Work at Innotech?

Sure you want a job, but are you sure you want this job? Pay attention to the office environment and the types of people who work there, and ask plenty of questions about what it’s like. Soon after the joy of receiving a paycheck fades, you’ll be stuck writing TPS reports, so make sure it’s a good fit for you.

9. Demonstrate Your Passion

You’re not interviewing for a job in a widget factory – you’re interviewing for a job in the free-market nonprofit sector. The interviewer wants to know why affecting social change is important to you, so be ready to tell him a little bit about your passion.

10. Trust Your Gut

All of my divorced friends wished they had followed this advice. If the job seems amazing but something doesn’t feel right, don’t accept the offer without learning more. Ask to speak with other staff members or even former employees. Ask around about the organization – you’ll be surprised what people tell you when you ask them for the truth.

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    Public Relations Manager – Hoover Institution at Stanford University – Palo Alto, CA

    Communications Manager – International Center for Law & Economics – Virtual Office

    Foundations Manager & Grant Writer – Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge – Valley Forge, PA or Virtual Office

    Foundation Relations Manager – Mercatus Center – Arlington, VA or Virtual Office

    Senior Research Analyst – Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty – Milwaukee, WI or Virtual Office

    Development Communications Manager – Foundation for Economic Education – Atlanta, GA or Virtual Office

    Development Writer – Tax Foundation – Washington, DC or Virtual

    Tennessee Reporter – The Center Square – Virtual Office

    Development Outreach Manager – Independence Institute – Denver, CO

    Copy Editor – Commonwealth Foundation – Harrisburg, PA; Philadelphia, PA; or Virtual Office

    Director, Center for Opportunity Policy – Pelican Institute – New Orleans, Baton Rouge or Virtual in LA

    Program Director/Program Officer – The Philanthropy Roundtable – Washington, DC or Virtual Office

    Development Marketing Manager – Institute for Humane Studies – Arlington, VA or Virtual Office

    Digital Communications Associate – Goldwater Institute – Phoenix, AZ

    Research Analyst – Foundation for Government Accountability – Virtual Office

    General Counsel and Director of Legal Affairs – Beacon Center – Nashville, TN

    Grants Manager – State Policy Network – Virtual Office

    Accountant – New Civil Liberties Alliance & Becket Fund for Religious Liberty– Washington, DC

    Donor Relations Manager – America’s Future – Washington, DC or Virtual Office

    Major Gifts Officer – The Heartland Institute – Arlington Heights, IL or Virtual Office

    Environmental Attorney – Pacific Legal Foundation – In Office or Virtual Office

    Alumni Relations Officer – Foundation for Individual Rights in Education – Philadelphia, PA; Washington, DC; or Virtual Office

    Attorney & Legal Policy Fellow – Competitive Enterprise Institute – Washington, DC

    Director of Development/ Development Officer – Center for American Liberty – Frederick, MD or Virtual

    Digital Marketing Manager – Badger Institute – Milwaukee, WI or Virtual in Wisconsin

    Senior Attorneys – Institute for Free Speech – Washington, DC or Virtual Office

    Research Director – Empire Center for Public Policy – Albany, NY or Virtual Office in New York

    Director of Development – Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute – Southern California

    Communications and Social Media Manager – America’s Future – Washington, DC or Virtual Office

    Director of Foundations and Corporate Giving – Reason Foundation – Washington, DC or Virtual Office

    Vice President of Institutional Advancement – Intercollegiate Studies Institute – Greater Philadelphia Area or Virtual Office

    Director of External Affairs & Communications – TechFreedom – Washington, DC

  • Archives

About Us

Claire Kittle Dixon

Claire Kittle Dixon
Executive Director
Claire has more than a decade of experience in the talent development field. She…
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Katelynn Barbosa
Talent Engagement Manager
Katelynn started her career in the Koch Associate Program and then litigated at the Institute for Justice…
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Katy (Ranville) Gambella
Network Engagement Manager
Katy began her career at the Institute for Humane Studies and later joined the Cato Institute…
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Stephanie Keaveney, Network Engagement Strategist
Stephanie’s career started at the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal…
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Wait, You’re a Nonprofit?

Talent Market is a nonprofit. We’ll wait here while that sinks in. We know it’s a crazy concept, but it’s been working like a charm since 2009.

Talent Market’s mission is to promote liberty by providing talent for critical roles within the free-market nonprofit sector.

We provide free consulting and recruiting services to free-market think tanks, policy organizations, research centers, and capacity building institutions dedicated to advancing the principles of limited government and free enterprise. (We do not work in politics, nor do we work with organizations that address social issues.) Talent Market believes that the road to prosperity is paved with freedom and that the success of our movement hinges on the talent that will take us there.

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