You did it—you took the leap and applied to share your professional skills through a multi-week Taproot Plus Project! The first step after your application is a 30-minute interview with the nonprofit. This isn’t a formal job interview—it’s a mutual conversation to explore whether the opportunity is a good fit for both you and the organization.
What to Expect from the Interview
The goal of the interview is to:
Learn more about the nonprofit and their goals.
Share your interest and motivation for volunteering.
Clarify the scope, timeline, and expectations.
Decide together whether to move forward.
This is a chance to connect, ask questions, and ensure the partnership will be productive and aligned.
How to Prepare
Before the interview, we recommend doing a little background research:
Visit the nonprofit’s website.
Read any published articles or news about their work.
Learn about the cause area or community they serve.
This context will help you ask thoughtful questions and better understand their mission.
Five Questions to Ask to During the Interview
What’s your organization all about?
This gives the nonprofit the chance to delve deeper into their mission, their history, and how they operate. The additional context, on top of your research about their work, will help you decide if their mission is in line with your own interests.
What’s in scope and what’s not?
Nailing down the specifics of the project is vital to ensure it all comes together. Ask the organization to lay out exactly what they’re hoping to accomplish together, clarifying the scope of what your work will (and won’t) include.
Do you have a project timeline in mind?
This question helps both of you manage expectations right from the get-go. Ask about the urgency and flexibility of the project and be as transparent with your availability and other commitments as possible. It’s also a great time to share your communications preferences and how many hours you expect to be able to volunteer per week.
How will your organization use the project outcome?
Asking how they intend to use the work you complete gives you a clearer perspective on the project itself. Asking may also encourage them to form or finalize an implementation plan to ensure that your finished deliverable is used instead of shelved for later.
Is there anything else I should know?
It may seem like an obvious question, but it’s one of the most important. Asking if the organization has anything let to share gives them a chance to reflect and make sure you have all the information you need to make a decision.
What Happens After the Interview?
If both parties agree to move forward, you’ll schedule a project kick-off. This is a separate conversation focused on:
Finalizing the scope of work
Setting communication expectations
Establishing deadlines and goals
The kick-off sets the foundation for a successful collaboration.
If It’s Not a Match
Not every opportunity will be the right fit—and that’s ok. If you decide not to move forward after the interview, you can withdraw your application from your dashboard. Don’t let this discourage you from continuing to find opportunities to offer your expertise. Click here to keep browsing opportunities.
If you have questions about preparing for your interview or navigating the process, reach out to us at help@taprootplus.org. We’re here to support you every step of the way.