Clean Water Action Interview Questions & Reviews

Interview Details – Someone in a leadership position at Clean Water Action invited me to volunteer for the organization for five hours a week as part of the job application process. This person indicated a strong interest in hiring me, but did not make an offer in writing, on three separate occasions. I volunteered for five months, the job was advertised competitively later, and another candidate was hired. During the interview process, my application was misplaced twice.

Interview Details – The interview was sort of a joke. If you feign an interest in environmentalism or even sometimes if you don't they will hire you for a training period. The turn over is very high so they are basically constantly advertising and hiring because it is a hard, high pressure job that people cannot handle for very long.

The training period is the hard part they hire you on a trial basis of if you can make quota (moderately to extremely difficult to do with consistency) for long enough they will hire you on staff. From there don't consistently screw up and you're golden.

Negotiation Details – We started the training period which I passed and was put on full staff afterward but the high pressure environment was too much for even me after a short while.

Interview Details – Found the application through my school career website, it wasn't listed as a canvassing job but found out soon enough that the job is simply that. After a phone discussion, I was able to set up an in-person interview in Ann Arbor. During the interview I was asked about my communication skills and the interviewer talked more about the position. A second interview/follow-along day was set up, where I would canvass and be watched by the staff but I did not attend. I knew the job was not for me. The position consisted of knocking on doors and asking for money to support Clean Water Action.

Interview Details – I had an initial short, phone interview. It was only around 10 minutes, and I just explained my interest in the organization.

My second interview, in person, was at the office. It was also short and informal. We talked about my interest in the organization, my background and how it relates to the daily work of Clean Water Action.

My third interview, the "Observational Interview," started with a team meeting, then training, and later we got on the phones and made some calls. The team meeting was all about numbers - who made quota, who didn't, celebrating goals, pushing employees to work toward goals. Training consisted of practicing the script, and our trainer telling us (me and two other interview candidates) how to get money from people on the phone. He even made a few calls to show us how it was done. Lastly, we got on the phones and "auditioned" for the job. It probably helps to be fast, to make as many calls as possible in a short amount of time.

Interview Details – I applied to be a Canvass Administrator, and the job was outlined as administrative support for their fundraising efforts. I was called in for an interview almost immediately. Focused on my prior fundraising skills, interest in progressive/political action and willingness to manage a canvass staff. Professional environment, pretty direct questioning.

Reason for Declining – I was under the impression from the job ad that it would be an administrative role only, but they were really looking for someone to manage the staff and go into the feild to fundraise, which I felt was a bit of a bait-and-switch.

Interview Details – Pretty brief, they'll ask you about your interest in the position, your prior volunteer experience/ nonprofit work.

Interview Details – Available on the non-profit section of Craigslist, Clean Water Action posted a job working for clean water in Michigan. I called the office and I was scheduled for an interview during the initial phone call for the next week, you can also apply online and they will contact you. Before your initial interview you fill out a formal application but if you bring a resume it is a lot easier and you don't have to complete the entire application. The interview was more of an informal conversation. The local manager goes into detail the organization, the specifics of the job and the local office, and asks a few questions about experience, your previous work related to their organization, and allows ample time for you to ask questions. Then you go on the actual interview which is a "second interview/field canvassing day". You go with an experienced canvasser and observe the job then you have 2 hours of practice with the canvasser and the final hour is a solo session. After the day you meet with the field officer you canvassed with and the manager and make a hiring decision. You canvass with another person and have a check-in canvass day at day 4.

Reason for Declining – Not the job for me.

Interview Details – Found ad on craigslist which sent me to their website to apply. Had to put in basic information like why I wanted to work for an environmental organization. Later received a (screening) phone call from the office manager asking what made me interested in the position and this is important to be able to answer "What is an environmental issue that is important to you." as long as you can give a reasonable well spoken answer you will get the interview. There is a 1:1 interview with the director in which you will be evaluated not on what you say but how you conduct yourself in the interview. Make good eye contact and act confident and you will land the observation day (2nd round interview) which you will be evaluated on how you perform doing door to door canvassing in the field. Just use the things you were taught and be very teachable and excited to be hired. After that you will be put into a rigorous training program in which you will need to meet certain minimums to stay in training and quotas to make staff and have a secure position with the organization.

Negotiation Details – Negotiation not available. take it or leave it offer.

Interview Details – Very laid-back office culture; no premium on professionalism here. I felt over-dressed for the interview wearing just khakis and a nice shirt. I don't think they even glanced at my resume.

Pay was based on whether you hit your fundraising target or not. Virtually everyone gets the job (at least based on how many people I saw interviewed compared to hired), but you either succeed quickly and meet your targets or you're gone in a few weeks. Even the veterans eventually hit rough spots, miss their goals, and are laid off. Do not expect this to be a long-term gig unless you are especially gifted, in which case you would make a lot more money in a more professional, organized business atmosphere.

Negotiation Details – Didn't happen at all.