20 United Way Interview Questions and Answers

When you go to a job interview, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, experience, and goals. But what if you’re interviewing for a position with a specific company, like United Way? In that case, you can also expect to be asked company-specific interview questions.

United Way is a global network of nearly 1,800 community-based organizations that work to improve lives and build stronger communities. As such, they are looking for candidates who are passionate about their mission and who have the skills and experience to help further their cause.

In this article, we will provide some sample United Way interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your next interview.

United Way Interview Process

The interview process at United Way can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, you may only have to do one interview, while for others you may have to do multiple interviews. The length of the hiring process can also vary, but it is generally not too lengthy. Overall, the interview process is relatively standard and should not be too difficult.

1. What is your experience with managing social media pages?

United Way is a nonprofit that relies heavily on social media to spread awareness of their cause and raise funds. The organization wants to know if you have experience with managing social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Example: “I’ve been using social media for several years now, so I’m very familiar with the best practices for creating an effective online presence. In my last role as a marketing specialist, I was responsible for managing our company’s social media pages. We had a dedicated team of employees who helped me create content for each platform. I also used social media monitoring tools to track mentions of our brand and respond to any questions or concerns.”

2. Why do you want to work at United Way?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for the organization and its mission. When answering, it can be helpful to refer to a specific program or initiative that you admire.

Example: “I want to work at United Way because I am passionate about helping people in my community. In my last role as a social worker, I worked with families who were struggling financially. It was so rewarding to see how much progress we made when working together. I would love to continue this type of work if given the opportunity.”

3. Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced environment?

United Way is a large organization that works to meet the needs of many people in their communities. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to work under pressure and complete tasks on time. Use examples from previous jobs or volunteer experiences where you had to multitask, prioritize projects and manage your time effectively.

Example: “In my current role as an administrative assistant at XYZ Company, I am responsible for managing multiple projects simultaneously. For example, I often have several phone calls going while I’m working on emails and other assignments. In addition, I also help with special events like company picnics and holiday parties. While it can be challenging to balance everything, I’ve learned how to prioritize my tasks so I can get them all done by the deadlines.”

4. Give an example of how you would handle a difficult teammate.

United Way is a large organization with many employees. It’s important to show that you can work well with others and collaborate on projects. Your answer should demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively, solve problems and resolve conflicts.

Example: “I once had a teammate who was very critical of my ideas in meetings. I tried to be patient and not take it personally, but after several weeks of this behavior, I decided to speak with them about it privately. They apologized for their behavior and promised to do better. After that conversation, they were more respectful of everyone’s ideas and we worked together much more productively.”

5. Would you be willing to travel for work?

United Way Worldwide has offices in Washington, D.C., and Alexandria, Virginia, as well as regional offices in Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Dallas, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Los Angeles, California; New York City, New York; San Francisco, California; Seattle, Washington; and Toronto, Canada. The organization also hosts an annual conference that takes place in a different city each year.

If you are interviewing for a position with United Way Worldwide, it is likely that you will be asked to travel for work at some point. When answering this question, make sure to discuss your willingness to travel and how you would handle the logistics of traveling for work.

Example: “I am willing to travel for work if necessary. I have experience driving long distances alone and staying in hotels overnight. I am also comfortable using public transportation when needed.”

6. How well do you work under pressure?

United Way organizations often have tight deadlines and need employees who can work well under pressure. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you’re a hard worker who is willing to put in the extra effort when needed.

Example: “I’ve worked for several nonprofits where we had very short deadlines. I’m used to working late nights and weekends to meet those deadlines. In my last position, I was responsible for creating an annual report that went out to donors. We were given only two weeks to create the report, but I managed to get it done in one week by staying late at the office every night.”

7. Describe the most challenging job you have had and why it was so challenging.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you overcame the challenge. It also shows that you are willing to take on challenges in order to grow professionally.

Example: “The most challenging job I have had was when I first started my career as an accountant for a small business. The company was growing quickly, which meant we needed more accounting staff. However, there were no other accountants available at the time, so I took on the role of both controller and CFO. This was very challenging because it required me to learn new software and processes while still performing my regular duties.”

8. Tell me about a time when you used data analysis to make a decision.

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your analytical skills and how you use them to make decisions. Use examples from previous work experience or explain how you would apply data analysis to a situation in this role.

Example: “In my last position, I used data analysis to determine which areas of our community needed additional resources. We had several programs that focused on specific needs, but I wanted to see if there were any other areas we could support. After analyzing the data, I found that we were missing some key demographics in our programming. By adding new initiatives, we were able to reach more people who needed our services.”

9. Do you have any experience writing or editing reports?

United Way Worldwide uses reports to communicate with its network of local United Ways. The organization may ask this question to make sure you have the necessary skills to complete these tasks if they are part of your job responsibilities. If you do, share an example of a report you wrote or edited in the past. If you don’t, explain that you can learn how to write and edit reports quickly.

Example: “In my last role as communications director for a nonprofit, I was responsible for writing our annual report. I worked closely with our board of directors to develop the content of the report. Then, I edited the final draft before publishing it online.”

10. Can you describe a time that you worked as part of a team?

United Way is a network of local organizations that work together to achieve common goals. Your answer should show the interviewer that you are able to collaborate with others and support your team members.

Example: “In my last position, I worked as part of a large fundraising team. We had many different responsibilities, but we met weekly to discuss our progress and brainstorm ideas for how to improve our results. This helped us all stay motivated and learn from each other’s experiences.”

11. Which area of nonprofit management are you most interested in?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for the nonprofit industry. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific area of interest and how you plan on developing your skills in that area.

Example: “I am most interested in fundraising because I believe it’s important to have a strong financial foundation to support all other aspects of nonprofit management. In my current role as development director at XYZ Community Center, I’ve implemented several new strategies to increase our revenue stream. We now have more than doubled our annual revenue since I started working there.”

12. What’s one thing you would like to change about the world?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s values and goals. It also helps you determine if they are passionate about their work with United Way.

Example: “I would like to see an end to poverty in our world. I know that it may be a lofty goal, but I believe we can make progress toward this by working together as a community. If elected, I will do everything I can to help my local chapter raise awareness of poverty issues and provide support for those who need it most.”

13. If a colleague gave you an assignment that was outside of your job description, how would you react?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would react to a challenging situation at work. When answering, it can be helpful to mention that you would speak with your colleague about their expectations and ask for clarification on what they want you to do.

Example: “If I were given an assignment outside of my job description, I would first make sure I understood exactly what was expected of me. Then, I would talk to my manager about why they gave me this task and if there is any way I could assist them in completing it. If not, I would complete the task as best I could.”

14. Have you ever led a project from beginning to end?

This question can help the interviewer understand your leadership skills and how you’ve used them in the past. If you have led a project from beginning to end, describe what it was about and how you managed it.

Example: “I once had to plan an event for my community center that would raise money for our youth programs. I started by researching other events that were similar to ours and found out what worked well and what didn’t work as well. Then, I created a budget based on the research and planned the event with my team. We ended up raising $10,000 more than we expected.”

15. Tell us about a time when you felt really proud of yourself.

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s personality and values. It can also help you understand what motivates them, which can be helpful when deciding whether they would fit in with your team.

Example: “When I was working as an assistant manager at my previous job, we had a goal of raising $10,000 for our United Way campaign. We were doing well until October, when we raised only $2,500. I knew that if we didn’t raise more money by the end of the month, we wouldn’t meet our goal. So, I called a meeting with all of my employees and explained the situation. Then, I told them how much each person could raise and asked them to make it their personal goal to reach that amount. By the end of the month, we had raised $8,000.”

16. What makes you a good fit for this position?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have researched their organization and understand what they are looking for in a candidate. Use your research to identify the skills, qualifications and experience listed on the job description and explain how these align with your own background and goals.

Example: “I am passionate about working with nonprofit organizations because I believe everyone deserves access to basic human needs like food, shelter and healthcare. Your mission statement of ‘improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities’ resonates with me because it shows that United Way Worldwide values community engagement and collaboration.

As someone who has worked as a fundraiser for several years, I know that my communication and interpersonal skills make me a good fit for this position. My ability to build relationships with donors and volunteers makes me confident that I can help grow your fundraising efforts.”

17. Tell me about something on your resume.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have the ability to think critically and creatively. It also allows you to highlight some of your accomplishments, which can be helpful if you don’t have much work experience.

Example: “I’m proud of my volunteer work with United Way because it’s given me so many opportunities to help others. I was able to use my communication skills to organize fundraising events for local charities. This helped me develop my organizational abilities and learn how to manage large groups of people.”

18. Why did you decide to apply for this position?

This question is an opportunity to show your interest in the role and how it fits into your career goals. When answering this question, consider what attracted you to the position and highlight any skills or experiences that make you a good fit for the role.

Example: “I applied for this position because I am passionate about working with nonprofits and helping people in my community. My previous experience as a nonprofit fundraiser has given me valuable fundraising and leadership skills that I think will be useful in this role. I also have experience managing teams of volunteers and would love to use those skills to help grow the United Way’s volunteer program.”

19. What made you choose the college you went to?

This question can help an interviewer learn more about your personality and values. It’s important to be honest in your answer, but you should also try to highlight the positive aspects of your college or university.

Example: “I chose my college because it was close to home and affordable. I knew that I wanted to go into a career where I could make a difference in people’s lives, so I decided to major in social work. My school had a great program, and I met some amazing professors who inspired me to pursue this field.”

20. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s used to determine your career goals. When answering this question, be honest about what you want for yourself and how you plan to achieve those goals.

Example: “I see myself as the CEO of my own company by age 30. I know that may seem ambitious, but I have been working toward that goal since I graduated college. I am confident that with hard work and dedication, I can reach that goal within five years. In 10 years, I would like to be running my own nonprofit organization.”