If you want to set yourself up for a good interview, a lot of it comes down to the basics.
Not the clever answers. Not the big strategy statements. The basics.
Before I get into things, let me preface this by saying: many of us, including me, have probably done one of these and still gotten the job.
One of my former colleagues, who’s really well regarded, once completely forgot about an interview and didn’t show up. When it was rescheduled, she still got the job.
She went on to have a great career.
Still… don’t do that :-)
So, how do you make sure your interview goes well? Start by avoiding these missteps.
Don’t be late. And definitely don’t no-show.
Things happen. They’ve happened to me, too. But not showing up on time, or not showing up at all, is just a no-go.
You can explain it. You can justify it. You can tell yourself they’ll understand.
Maybe they will.
But the impression sticks.
And if we’re honest? Most late arrivals could have been prevented with better planning, leaving earlier, or not scheduling yourself so tightly that one small hiccup derails everything.
Interviews are first impressions. That’s just the reality.
Don’t talk badly about your previous employer.
This one is so tempting.
When they ask, “Why are you interested in this role?” or “Why are you looking to leave?” it can feel like the perfect opening to vent about what’s happening at work.
It’s not.
Save the drama for another call, not this interview.
If you feel the urge to unload? Call me.
In the interview, stay forward-focused. Talk about growth, alignment, opportunity, and mission. Even if your current situation is messy, you don’t gain credibility by sounding bitter.
Fair or not, negativity gets remembered.
Don’t monologue.
I’m guilty of this myself :-)
Sometimes I go off on tangents, which is why I always try to organize my thoughts before answering.
For example, when you’re asked about a specific fundraising success, keep your answer focused. If they ask about a major gift you closed, don’t turn it into a 12-minute career recap.
Answer the question.
What was the situation? What did you do? What was the outcome?
Too often, candidates talk in circles and never really highlight the successes, numbers, or other measurable results the interviewer is looking for.
Strong communicators are concise. They know how to tell a story with a point.
Babbling is usually a sign of nerves, which is human, but preparation fixes that.
Don’t talk out of school.
Yes, highlight your successes.
But be careful about sharing internal details, confidential strategy, donor stories, or behind-the-scenes dynamics. See my post "When Name Dropping Gets Cringe".
It can easily be perceived as indiscretion.
And if I’m the interviewer, I’m thinking: If you’re sharing this about them… what will you share about us?
Professional discretion is part of leadership.
Don’t tell the organization what to do (especially in a first interview).
A first interview should primarily be about you and what you bring.
Be thoughtful. Be curious. Ask good questions.
But don’t come in overly critical or say something like, “I would do major gifts here very differently.”
You don’t yet know the culture, the internal politics, the resource constraints, the board dynamics, or the history.
It can come across as presumptuous, assuming your way is automatically better, when you don’t yet understand the environment.
There’s a difference between strategic insight and premature judgment.
Don’t forget to follow up.
I know. There are different schools of thought.
“Why should the interviewee be the one thanking them? Shouldn’t it go both ways?”
Sure. We can debate that another time..
But here’s the reality: a thoughtful thank-you is remembered.
It reinforces professionalism. It shows emotional intelligence. And frankly, it gives them a glimpse of how you will communicate with donors, board members, and colleagues.
None of this guarantees you’ll get the job. But avoiding these missteps removes unnecessary obstacles. And in competitive searches, sometimes it’s not about who dazzles. It’s about who demonstrates judgment.