So i'm teaching a 5-week summer course called The Business of Nonprofit Management...class has 30 students and I need a grader.

I interviewed 3 students and asked them all the same 5 questions. my interview notes are below. I've already made my decision, but I'm curious to know who you think I chose and why.

Have fun.

Student 1:

Why do you want the job?
Is currently a tutor and works w/6th and 7th graders. Would like to
gain some insight into the nonprofit field. Likes the flexibility

What skills do you possess that fit well with this role?
Good critical thinking, writes legislative research for congress
people, has worked in nyu tutors program

Tell me about a time when you made a mistake at work. How did you overcome it? What did you learn from the experience?
Had to submit questions for a hearing and ended up making them up.
Learned to always ask if you’re not sure

What do you think are the 3 most important things I need from someone in this role?
Clear communication w/professor
Ask question about the rubric
Transparency
Patience
Empathy

How do you like to be managed?
Responding in a timely manner
Give specific deadlines
Needs structure


Student 2:

Why do you want the job?
Current MPA student specializing in SIQ…has TA experience and working one on one with students in complex environments…looking for part time for the summer.

What skills do you possess that fit well with this role?
Has experience volunteering as an English teacher at a community center, taught SAT prep, has designed curriculum, structured learning plans etc…worked as a peer tutor as well. Has a keen eye for grammar and editing, as well as great research skills

Tell me about a time when you made a mistake at work. How did you overcome it? What did you learn from the experience?
Didn’t click on all the hyperlinks in a draft newsletter and some of them were not correct. Took ownership of the mistake. Learned that proactive communication is key…having a keen attention to detail…

What do you think are the 3 most important things I need from someone in this role?
Consistency with tracking editing and proofreading
Proactive communication
Good writing and critical eye

How do you like to be managed?
Having a clear idea of expectations, having a rubric
Time for questions & review of first assignment
Likes to have alot of feedback & reinforcement
Framing the relationship as constantly learning & growing


STudent 3:

Why do you want the job?
Currently Wagner MPH student. Has worked as TA/Consultant…worked as a TA for Intro to Policy course, as well as writing consultant..and grading. Really likes helping Wagner students with writing

What skills do you possess that fit well with this role?
Very flexible and can relate to people and understand them.
Good people skills and empathy for others

Tell me about a time when you made a mistake at work. How did you overcome it? What did you learn from the experience?
A staff member wasn’t performing to expectations and had a conversation with them and thought that was it. It didn’t help the situation. Felt that she should have followed up with more guidance and specific examples

What do you think are the 3 most important things I need from someone in this role?
A clear communicator
Flexibility
Experience with the Wagner structure and how assignments works

How do you like to be managed?
Wants feedback in real time
Flexibility (has a full time job and is taking 3 summer courses)

d

I don't speak to provoke. I speak because I think our time is short and each moment that we are not our truest selves, and we say what we do not mean because we imagine that is what somebody wants us to say, is wasting our time on this Earth - C. Adichie

The others sound like they like to be micromanaged lol

actually she's the one who said specifically that she needs structure

i was feeling like i might not have alot of that to give

d

I don't speak to provoke. I speak because I think our time is short and each moment that we are not our truest selves, and we say what we do not mean because we imagine that is what somebody wants us to say, is wasting our time on this Earth - C. Adichie

looking at other replies looks like I'm the odd one lol

The other two seemed to want constant input and feedback and to me seems like it would be back and forth. "Here is the task you asked me for, is it right?"

I took the first one to mean "Give me clear goals/instructions/expectations and you can count on me doing my work without needing to check in". I'm that type, if I know my role covers point a-g you can bet I will do all of it as soon as I see an input. Anything outside of that then I will expect someone else is taking care of. So if you imply you want me to focus on c-f but really want me to "step up" and cover a-g then there will be a big disconnect.

which is why my original question was, who did *I* hire, not who would you hire LOL



>The other two seemed to want constant input and feedback and
>to me seems like it would be back and forth. "Here is the task
>you asked me for, is it right?"

yeah and i'm all about giving and receiving feedback so that aligned more with me and my work style

>I took the first one to mean "Give me clear
>goals/instructions/expectations and you can count on me doing
>my work without needing to check in". I'm that type, if I know
>my role covers point a-g you can bet I will do all of it as
>soon as I see an input. Anything outside of that then I will
>expect someone else is taking care of. So if you imply you
>want me to focus on c-f but really want me to "step up" and
>cover a-g then there will be a big disconnect.

it's good that you know the way you work enough to communicate it well....that's powerful because you'll make sure those you work with or for know how to get the best out of you.

d


I don't speak to provoke. I speak because I think our time is short and each moment that we are not our truest selves, and we say what we do not mean because we imagine that is what somebody wants us to say, is wasting our time on this Earth - C. Adichie

#1 seems like they'd need their hand held the entire way (Give specific deadlines
Needs structure).

#3 Has good experience, but seems too busy.

#2. Has good experience (prior TA). And seems like they're okay making judgement calls on their own (a necessary trait in grading).

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>#1 seems like they'd need their hand held the entire way
>(Give specific deadlines
>Needs structure).

That was a flag for me too...I don't have the time, plus i barely operate w/structure lol
>
>#3 Has good experience, but seems too busy.

YO she told me that at the end of the interview and i was like NOPE
>
>#2. Has good experience (prior TA). And seems like they're
>okay making judgement calls on their own (a necessary trait in
>grading).

exactly! And she's the only one who sent me a follow up email...which i don't care if folks send or not, but it was nice punctuation after i'd already decided to choose her.

d


I don't speak to provoke. I speak because I think our time is short and each moment that we are not our truest selves, and we say what we do not mean because we imagine that is what somebody wants us to say, is wasting our time on this Earth - C. Adichie

Because communication.

yerp.

d

I don't speak to provoke. I speak because I think our time is short and each moment that we are not our truest selves, and we say what we do not mean because we imagine that is what somebody wants us to say, is wasting our time on this Earth - C. Adichie

but maybe you went with 1 because they could be a future leader

>Would like to
gain some insight into the nonprofit field
>writes legislative research for congress
>empathy

>but maybe you went with 1 because they could be a future
>leader

nah, for me that's totally irrelevant to this role. if i were looking for a real Teacher's Assistant..like in the class w/me, then yes. her.

d


I don't speak to provoke. I speak because I think our time is short and each moment that we are not our truest selves, and we say what we do not mean because we imagine that is what somebody wants us to say, is wasting our time on this Earth - C. Adichie

#3 is wayyy too busy. They are carrying three summer (so accelerated) graduate level classes *and* working a full time job? It'll be too much on their plate.

#1 had a huge red flag with the either outright lying or deceitful behavior in a freakin' legislative hearing. If this was a more long-term job it might be different, but for a 5 week class it wouldn't be worth it with the extra watchfulness and/or potential coaching you would have to do.

#2 has a good background, enough time to focus on the job, and apparent transferable skills. I would go with them.

__________________________________________

I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.

— F. Scott Fitzgerald

>#3 is wayyy too busy. They are carrying three summer (so
>accelerated) graduate level classes *and* working a full time
>job? It'll be too much on their plate.

and of course she insisted she'd be fine...lol..no ma'am

>#1 had a huge red flag with the either outright lying or
>deceitful behavior in a freakin' legislative hearing. If this
>was a more long-term job it might be different, but for a 5
>week class it wouldn't be worth it with the extra watchfulness
>and/or potential coaching you would have to do.

girl!!! speak on it. it didn't hit me in the moment, but when i went back and read my notes, my hackles went up

>#2 has a good background, enough time to focus on the job, and
>apparent transferable skills. I would go with them.

bingo

d


I don't speak to provoke. I speak because I think our time is short and each moment that we are not our truest selves, and we say what we do not mean because we imagine that is what somebody wants us to say, is wasting our time on this Earth - C. Adichie

>#1 had a huge red flag with the either outright lying or
>deceitful behavior in a freakin' legislative hearing. If this
>was a more long-term job it might be different, but for a 5
>week class it wouldn't be worth it with the extra watchfulness
>and/or potential coaching you would have to do.
>

I don't know why I assigned that to #2 after I finished reading through them all lol Should have gone through them again. That was also a reason I went with one because I mistakenly thought #2 said that.

I change my vote to 2 lol

most of my positions the last decade and a half have either been department changes or places where i knew everyone and the interview was a formality and terms are discussed.

but just raw interviews... i either have canned answers and anecdotes about some challenge i faced, that never seem to come out of my mouth the same as they are in my head... or i just awkwardly ramble on about nothing.

the only interviews I was ever good in played out like informal conversations where i feel genuine and not like i'm trying to sell myself.

but really if it opens with even the simple "So tell me about yourself", I might as well just walk out because i'm not getting this job LOL

>the only interviews I was ever good in played out like
>informal conversations where i feel genuine and not like i'm
>trying to sell myself.

...i work to ensure that they feel very informal. In fact, i often share a mistake I made at work myself before asking candidates about their mistakes...i try to give of myself as much as I can.


>but really if it opens with even the simple "So tell me about
>yourself", I might as well just walk out because i'm not
>getting this job LOL
>
i know everyone hates that one but its actually the easiest one. you get to highlight the things you want them to know about you, just in case they don't ask. if you keep it focused on the professional parts of "who you are", its cake. Also, keep it brief. This is the question you can 100% prepare an elevator pitch response for

also, just thinking about what you said about asking about 'challenges'...i don't use that word on purpose. I ask about mistakes cuz that's concrete. you actually did a wrong thing. tells me far more about a person than whatever fake weakness they come up with "i work too hard" blah blah.

d


I don't speak to provoke. I speak because I think our time is short and each moment that we are not our truest selves, and we say what we do not mean because we imagine that is what somebody wants us to say, is wasting our time on this Earth - C. Adichie

And I it jumps out to me that they want to learn about the non-profit world.

It is of course a big red flag the thing they disclosed about making stuff up. It's wild they disclosed that.

But here is my thing. I really try to take "trick interview questions" with a grain of salt. I've seen so many good people burned by questions by giving honest answers instead of giving the right polished answer. Like I've defended many times people who answer the "what's your biggest weakness" question by giving honest answers over the people who know how to finesse those questions with "my biggest weakness is I work to hard some times".

The problem with 1# is their answer was WAAAY to honest. Which I kind of like. I would guess they were the greenest of the three. If it turns out they are not a kid and a grown up, then definitely a no. What I could let slide from a kid looks like poor judgement for an adult.

If there were other intangibles not showing up in the questions that made them a good candidate, I would take them into consideration.

I once hired a person because when I googled them I saw all the public service stuff they were doing outside of work. It didn't show up on their resume but it spoke to their character. SHe's been with me for 8 years now and is my right hand.

But then again, yo might just need to get through the summer and have someone grade papers and it might not be that serious.

#2 looks more polished and looks like that would slide into the roll and hit the ground running and would be an asset from the start.

Safest bet and you wouldn't be wrong to choose them.


#3 is too busy. How many times can they say flexible in their response?!?
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"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"

I'm big on mentoring, as well, but for a 5 week course, there's just no time. if I were looking for an actual TA, she would be the one

so you're right in that i just need someone to put their head down and get through it with me


i also don't like trick questions..i like making sure the candidates feel safe to be honest and vulnerable..and like i mentioned earlier, i tend to conduct interviews in a conversational, relaxed style, as well as sharing personal anecdotes about my own career etc

d

I don't speak to provoke. I speak because I think our time is short and each moment that we are not our truest selves, and we say what we do not mean because we imagine that is what somebody wants us to say, is wasting our time on this Earth - C. Adichie

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#1 only works if you want a worker bee. You point at a wall and they go to that wall. Most managers don't want that type of person unless the role is VERY simple.

#2 is the best choice based on the answers and availability.

If #3 didn't say "I'm hella busy so you're gonna have to adjust to my schedule" I would have leaned more in that direction because I liked the direct reference to knowing how assignments worked and prior experience with the schools kids.

I also liked that her mistake answer was more in-depth than the other two. It wasn't "Oh, I overlooked something, I made a typo". It was, I could have provided better guidance and specific examples. That's the kind of insight you want from someone guiding students.

But alas...gotta be at the job to do the job.

I work in HR so I'm keen to evaluating these types of things.

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