20 National Democratic Institute Interview Questions and Answers

The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide. Founded in 1983, NDI has worked in more than 140 countries to help build vibrant and resilient democracies.

If you’re applying for a job at NDI, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, work history, and availability. In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of NDI interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

National Democratic Institute Interview Process

The interview process at National Democratic Institute (NDI) can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require an initial HR screening, followed by 2-3 rounds of interviews with team members. Some teams may also require a writing assessment or language assessment. The entire process can take up to 13 weeks.

1. What do you know about the National Democratic Institute?

This question is an opportunity to show your research skills and knowledge of the organization. You can answer this question by describing what you know about the National Democratic Institute, including its mission, goals and accomplishments.

Example: “I have been following the work of the National Democratic Institute for many years now. I am familiar with the institute’s mission to support democracy worldwide through training programs, election monitoring and civic education. The institute has helped countries like Ukraine, Georgia and Tunisia transition from authoritarian rule to democratic governments. In my opinion, these are important efforts that help people gain more freedom.”

2. Why do you want to work at the NDI?

This question can help the interviewer determine your motivation for applying to this position. It’s important to show that you’re passionate about working in international development and democracy promotion. You can answer this question by explaining what drew you to this role, how it fits into your career goals or why you want to work at an organization like NDI.

Example: “I applied to work at the NDI because I’m passionate about promoting democracy around the world. I’ve always been interested in politics and foreign affairs, so when I saw this job posting, I knew it was a great opportunity to put my skills to use. I think I would be a valuable asset to the NDI team because of my background in political science and my interest in global issues.”

3. Tell me about a time that you had to make an important decision without consulting your supervisor.

This question can help interviewers learn more about your decision-making skills and how you handle responsibility. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you made an informed choice that benefited the organization or helped others.

Example: “When I was working as a community organizer for my local Democratic party, we were organizing a voter registration drive. We had planned to register voters at several locations throughout the county, but one of our volunteers called in sick on the day of the event. With only two hours before the event started, I decided to move all of the registration tables to just one location so we could still reach as many people as possible. This ended up being beneficial because there was less congestion than if we had multiple locations.”

4. How would you manage multiple projects at once?

This question can help interviewers understand how you prioritize your work and manage deadlines. Use examples from previous experience to show that you are organized, detail-oriented and able to meet deadlines.

Example: “In my last role as a project manager, I managed multiple projects at once while also overseeing the entire team’s progress. One of my main responsibilities was ensuring all members were on track with their tasks and meeting deadlines. I would regularly check in with each member to ensure they understood what was expected of them and provide any necessary support or resources. This helped me stay organized and ensured everyone met their goals.”

5. Can you tell us about a time when you had to handle conflict within a team?

This question can help interviewers understand how you work with others and your conflict resolution skills. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you helped resolve conflict within a team or group setting.

Example: “At my current job, I have worked on teams that were made up of people from different backgrounds and political views. In one instance, we had a disagreement about the best way to approach a project. Rather than letting the disagreement escalate, I brought everyone together for a meeting so we could discuss our ideas and come to an agreement. We all came to a compromise and continued working toward our goal.”

6. Do you have any experience working with international organizations?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have any experience working with international organizations and how your previous work experience may apply to this role. Use examples from your past that highlight your ability to collaborate with others, communicate effectively and solve problems.

Example: “In my last position as a political scientist, I worked with an international organization that focused on developing democratic processes in countries around the world. My job was to research different political systems and provide recommendations for improvement. In one instance, I researched a country where citizens were not allowed to vote. I provided suggestions for ways they could implement voting into their current system. The government implemented some of my suggestions, which helped them move toward a more democratic process.”

7. What are some of your biggest strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. When answering this question, be sure to focus on your strengths rather than weaknesses.

Example: “I am an excellent communicator who can work well with others. I have experience working as part of a team, which has helped me develop my communication skills. My biggest weakness is that I sometimes get overwhelmed by large projects. However, I’ve learned how to manage my time better so I can complete these tasks.”

8. Describe a time where you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills and ability to persuade others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about the situation and how you were able to use persuasion to achieve a positive outcome.

Example: “In my previous role as a political campaign manager, I had to convince several volunteers that they needed to work on election day even though it was raining outside. I started by asking them what their reasons for not wanting to go out in the rain were. After hearing some of their concerns, I explained why those reasons weren’t valid and encouraged them to come out and help us win the election.”

9. We often need our employees to be available for conference calls during off-hours. Are you comfortable doing this?

This question is a good way to determine if the candidate will be able to meet deadlines and work independently. It’s also an opportunity for you to explain your company’s expectations regarding employee availability.

Example: “I am comfortable working during off-hours, but I prefer to have my evenings free so that I can spend time with my family. If conference calls are scheduled in advance, I’m happy to participate. However, if they’re last minute, I may not be available.”

10. What is your experience with project management?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with managing projects and how you approach them. Use examples from previous work to highlight your skills in planning, organizing and executing a project on time.

Example: “In my last position as an international development specialist, I was responsible for overseeing multiple projects at once. One of my main responsibilities was ensuring that all team members were meeting their deadlines and objectives while also staying within budget. This helped me develop strong communication and collaboration skills, which are important when working with teams across different countries.”

11. Are you willing to travel internationally on short notice?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your flexibility and willingness to travel. If you have experience with international travel, share a story of how you prepared for the trip or what challenges you faced while traveling internationally. If you do not have any experience with international travel, discuss how you would feel about it and why.

Example: “I am willing to travel internationally on short notice. In my last role as an election monitor, I had to leave the country within 24 hours of receiving our assignment. We were able to prepare by packing light and only bringing essentials. However, we did have to check in all electronics at the airport due to security concerns.”

12. Give an example of a time when you worked effectively under pressure.

This question can help interviewers learn more about your ability to handle stress and pressure. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you were under pressure and how you handled it.

Example: “When I was working as an election monitor for the last presidential election, there was a lot of pressure on us to ensure that everything ran smoothly. We had to make sure all ballots were counted correctly, that no one interfered with the voting process and that everyone who wanted to vote could do so. In order to meet these challenges, we worked together as a team to solve any problems that arose.”

13. If hired, how would you contribute to the success of NDI?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for the organization and how you can help it achieve its goals. When answering this question, try to highlight your relevant skills and experience that will benefit NDI’s mission.

Example: “I am passionate about democracy and believe in the power of free and fair elections. I would love to be a part of an organization that helps countries transition from authoritarian rule to democratic governments. In my previous role as a campaign manager, I helped candidates develop their messaging and marketing strategies to reach voters. This skill set could be beneficial to NDI because I know how to create effective communication campaigns.”

14. What type of environment do you prefer to work in?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your personality and how it might fit in with the culture of their organization. When answering, try to be honest while also showing that you can adapt to different situations.

Example: “I prefer a work environment where I feel comfortable asking questions and expressing my opinions. In previous positions, I’ve worked in both large teams and smaller groups, and I find that I am able to contribute most when I have one-on-one conversations with other team members. However, I understand that some projects require larger teams or committees, so I’m willing to adjust my style to meet the needs of the project.”

15. Tell me about a time when you showed initiative and took the lead on a project or task.

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your leadership skills and how you approach new challenges. Use examples from your past experience to highlight your ability to take initiative, plan ahead and complete projects on time or before deadlines.

Example: “In my last position as an event planner for a large company, I was responsible for planning several events throughout the year. One of these events included hosting a networking event for local business owners. Since this wasn’t one of our typical events, I had to come up with a creative way to advertise it while still maintaining our brand. I decided to create a social media campaign that would reach out to our target audience and encourage them to attend the networking event. The event ended up being very successful.”

16. Tell us about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are willing to do more than what’s required of you. It also shows them how you can handle pressure and work in a team setting. When answering this question, think about a time when you had to take on extra responsibilities or complete an assignment before it was due.

Example: “When I worked as a marketing intern at my college, I was tasked with creating a social media campaign for the university’s athletics department. The deadline was two weeks away, but I wanted to make sure I did everything right. So, I started working on the project early and finished it five days ahead of schedule. My professor praised me for my hard work and dedication.”

17. We often have to adjust our priorities as new challenges come up. Give an example of a time when you had to change your plans at the last minute.

This question is a great way to learn more about how you react under pressure. It also helps the interviewer understand your ability to adapt and prioritize tasks effectively.

Example: “I was working on an election in a developing country when I received word that one of our team members had been arrested for protesting without a permit. We were already at work, so we couldn’t do anything about it immediately. However, once we finished our current task, we contacted local officials to see if there was any way we could help get our colleague out of jail. They agreed to release him after he posted bail.”

18. How would you prioritize tasks if you had multiple deadlines approaching simultaneously?

This question can help interviewers assess your time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks. Use examples from previous experience where you had multiple deadlines approaching simultaneously, and explain how you managed the situation effectively.

Example: “In my last role as a campaign manager for a local political candidate, I had three major events coming up within one week of each other. The first event was a debate with our opponent, the second was a fundraising dinner and the third was a public speaking engagement. To ensure that all three events were successful, I delegated responsibilities among my team members so we could cover all aspects of the campaign. We also scheduled regular meetings to discuss progress on the events and make sure everyone was prepared.”

19. The NDI works closely with other international organizations. Does it bother you to take direction from people outside of your organization?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you’re willing to collaborate with others and take direction from a supervisor who isn’t in your organization. Your answer should show that you understand the importance of working with other organizations, even when it means taking direction from someone outside of your own company.

Example: “I’ve worked for several different companies throughout my career, so I’m used to collaborating with people outside of my organization. In fact, I find it beneficial to work with other organizations because it gives me access to new ideas and perspectives. I also think it’s important to be open to feedback from those outside our organization, as they can provide valuable insight into how we can improve.”

20. Tell us about a long-term project that you managed. How did you keep everything moving along in a timely manner?

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and ability to work with others. When answering, it can be helpful to mention how you managed the project’s timeline and any challenges that arose during its completion.

Example: “At my previous job, I was in charge of organizing an annual fundraising event for our organization. The first step was creating a budget so we could purchase supplies and hire entertainment. Then, I had to find vendors who would provide services at a reasonable price. After all of this, I scheduled the event and hired staff members to help me run it.”