Six fundraising job interview tips to help you stand out

Six fundraising job interview tips to help you stand out

By Josh Larkin|4 October 2022

Looking for your next fundraising job? We share six fundraising job interview tips to help you stand out in a competitive market.

3. Keep your answers related to the income stream
(if possible)

If you’re interviewing for a corporate fundraising role, use as many examples of corporate fundraising as possible. Candidates often use what they feel are their best examples rather than their most relevant ones. Remember the position you’re applying for.

For instance, if you are asked, ‘Tell us about your experience of winning six-figure partnerships from corporate partners’, we wouldn’t suggest answering with ‘I have made successful proposals to many organisations, and was recently successful in applying to XYZ trust for a £100,000 donation.’ While no doubt impressive, your incredible background in trust fundraising is not what they’ve asked for.

If you don’t have experience in the income stream you’re applying for, try translating your skills.

Category:Candidate advice

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Josh Larkin

Written by

Josh Larkin

Senior Consultant | Charities

Josh Larkin is passionate about the arts, culture and heritage, and is a strong advocate for the vital role fundraising plays in sustaining the sector. His love of culture began with childhood trips to museums, galleries and orchestras, a passion that continued into adulthood and has helped shape his professional path.

After completing a degree in English Literature and Philosophy, Josh worked across the fundraising sector for a range of charities in the UK and Australia, gaining broad experience across multiple income streams. While his core focus was individual giving, the reality of working in small teams meant contributing to legacies, corporates, major donors, and trusts and statutory fundraising. This gave him a holistic understanding of what effective fundraising looks like.

Values-led and deeply committed to the sector, Josh moved into recruitment to support a wider range of cultural and charitable organisations. He now uses his insight and first-hand experience to help arts and heritage organisations find exceptional fundraisers in an increasingly competitive market, while supporting both organisations and candidates to navigate many of the challenges he once faced himself.

Alongside his work in arts and heritage, Josh also recruits for roles across the broader charity sector, with a particular focus on homelessness and social welfare. His remit extends beyond fundraising too, and he regularly supports searches across marketing and communications, brand, PR, membership, advocacy and policy.

Beyond his professional dedication, Josh is a lover of cinema, Queens Park Rangers FC (an often challenging relationship) and Bob Mortimer.