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!
  

Landed the role? Super! Go to: How-to Tips for Working in the Volunteer Role

Also check out:

How to Apply for Unadvertised Volunteer Opportunities

How to Troubleshoot Problems in your Volunteer Role

How to Get a Reference and/or Paid Job!