First charity CEO role interview next week - any tips?

[NotCampingEver]

Hello, I have an interview next week for my first charity CEO role. I'm interested in any tips or advice you might have. TIA

I’d do your research on how they funded (check annual accounts on the charity commission website) and how you can increase this.

How seriously do you take safeguarding if working with vulnerable people.

How can the charity grow?

Good luck!

I'm a charity CEO (as you'll see from the name change). Happy to chat if it would be helpful.

Would be helpful to know what kind of charity, what size, what likely challenges etc. And a bit about your previous experience would help too.

PM me if you prefer.

Would add, I'm also a trustee so have sat on CEO recruitment panels!!

Not to sound harsh or anything, but surely if you're applying for a role of CEO then you should already have a wealth of information and experience on what will be involved, what you're walking into and how to do it, instead of looking on a forum for advice. Afterall, why would they be paying you such a high salary for out of their donation funds?

You're showing your ignorance.

Firstly, there is nothing wrong with gathering ideas and input from a range of different sources. I'm sure that the OP isn't only relying on MN for her info, but if she can make some useful connections on here, why not?

Secondly, you don't know what kind of salary the OP is looking at. Some Charity CEO salaries are very high, others are actually very low indeed. Don't make assumptions.

Thirdly, you don't know whether the CEO salary will be paid for from donations. It might be, but then again, it could be funded from grants, contracts, earned income etc.

It is for the interview panel to decide whether the OP is a credible candidate for the role, not randoms on the Internet.

Difficult to know without understanding size.

But, as others have said, having an understanding of the funding model is critical. Do your research and have some sensible questions about this.

Show an affinity to the cause.

I have interviewed for a charity CEO and I was really surprised that some of the candidates weren't at all polished or skilled at answering the question. They waffled.

I would hone your interview skills, look on Google for CEO charity interview questions and practice in the mirror.

"It is for the interview panel to decide whether the OP is a credible candidate for the role, not randoms on the Internet."

It's also up to the OP to research credible information and have the required knowledge for the role, not rely on "randoms on the Internet".

Have a think about what the wider challenges for the sector are, and what strengths / skills you would bring to ensure that this specific organisation thrives.

What would your first 30 days look like? What would you do?

How would you identify and engage with stakeholders?

Make sure that you have read and understood their charitable objects and have read their most recent accounts.

Thanks for your input but if you can't/don't want to be helpful please stop, it just derails the conversation.

I am being very helpful.
Why would a charity ever consider hiring a new CEO who has had to ask for advice from strangers on a random forum on how to complete the interview/do the job role.
If you have to do that, then you shouldn't be applying for such a job and taking the charities valuable funds.

What’s the cause?
what size of charity?
do you have previous experience … I work in the sector and lots of people come into with transferable skills

@andymary I have a sneaking suspicion that OP is doing thorough research from a variety of sources of sources. One of which is MN who are well known for giving straight up advice.

OP, I'd be asking what are the priorities for the next 3-6 months.
Are there any current challenges that need resolving.

Have a good knowledge of the funding model for the past 5 years and the mix of funding sources the charity relies on.

What is their staff retention percentage.

What are their values.

What are the charity's risks eg venue, staff, funding, reputation, competition etc.
Reserves levels and reserves policy.

What's their 3 year plan.

I’m a chair of trustees and on top of the excellent advice already given I would add to consider how you would work with your board of trustees and how you would manage the relationship with your Chair.

A good CEO makes use of whatever resources might be available to them... especially free ones.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking on here for advice. The OP has had some great advice on this thread already.

I think some posters have been too harsh. Some very good advice. Two of my friends, senior solicitors, head of employment firms have recently taken roles as ceo and chair of charities. They both said they are being stretched more than ever before professionally. Plus the accounts of a charity, and their wierd idiosyncrasies, is odd. Plus me, having audited many charities, and also met many miserable charity finance managers, is odd.

I can highly recommend using ChatGPT for interview preparation. It helped me get a senior job recently. It was efficient at coming up with information about the company and what type of questions to expect for the role. You also won't get the snark you're getting here.