How-to Tips for Interviewing and Email Communications

You’ve applied for your perfect volunteer role and you’ve been offered an interview! Congrats! Check out these quick tips for making a great impression at the interview and in your email/text communications.

Interviews may be on-site, over video or the phone. It may be an individual interview or a group interview to see how well you interact with others.
Be prepared and on time for the interview. If on-site, check the address and time required to arrive on time.
Dress appropriately for the in-person or video interview (again, think job interview). Jeans may or may not be ok depending on the organization. If in doubt, ask.
If the interview is in-person, don’t use highly scented products for those people who may be scent-sensitive.
Mute your phone to minimize distractions.
Greet the interviewer and make eye contact.
Be friendly, polite and show enthusiasm for the role and the organization.
Maintain good body language whether you are in-person or on video: sitting and not slouching, shoulders back and arms at your side and head up.
Don’t multitask while on video! Focus on the interviewer only and look at the camera.
Speak at a normal pace and normal volume; consider using headphones with a good mic for video interviews to minimize background noise.
Be prepared for some of these common interview questions:
- What do you know about our organization?
- How did you find out about this opportunity?
- Why are you interested in this role?
- What skills and interests do you have that would make you a good fit?
Show curiosity. Have a list of your own questions that you want answered and have them handy during the interview. This shows the interviewer that you are really interested in getting involved.
Thank the interviewer for their time and ask them about next steps at the end.
Follow up with an email thank you and any additional questions you may have.

Communication Tips for sending emails

Send your email from a professional looking email address such as firstname.lastname@ or lastname.firstname@ or using an initial for one of your names.
Fill in the subject line, for example: “Interest in volunteering with your organization” or “Question about volunteering with your organization.” Try to be specific so that your email gets read.
Use the contact name in your email: “Hi (or Hello) Susan (or Ms/Mr Lastname).” Best to use first names if you don’t know their gender pronouns.
Don’t know the contact name? It’s ok to start with “Hi there”.
Use full sentences and avoid using texting acronyms like LOL and THX and IMO, even if you are using text or some other messaging platform.
Proof-read your email for grammar and spelling or ask someone else to read it first
Let them know about where you saw the opportunity and show your enthusiasm for getting involved!
If you have a resume, you can send it along with your email. Use the email as a cover letter and say a couple of things about yourself that would make you a good fit for the role.
Make sure to actually check your email for a response!