April 21, 2013 | Read Time: 1 minute
Tailor your résumé. Make sure it is focused on the specific position for which you are applying. “A generic résumé sends a signal off the bat that a candidate isn’t that serious,” says Chris Bryant, a recruiter in Palm Desert, Calif.
Proofread. Pay special attention to grammar and punctuation in your résumé, cover letter, and any other written material sent to the recruiter. Ask a friend to review everything.
Come clean about your employment history. Tell the recruiter if you’ve ever been fired. “At some point we’re going to find that out—or worse, the client finds out and suddenly the candidate is on the ropes,” says Marian Alexander DeBerry, director of executive search at Campbell & Company.
Practice interviewing, and film it. When reviewing your performance, look for “tics,” like failing to make eye contact or repeating questions, says Mr. Bryant.
Dress as if you already work there. Make sure you present yourself in a way that matches the organization’s culture, say recruiters, be it formal or Silicon Valley casual.
If the interview goes well, state explicitly that you want the job. “That’s often the decisive factor,” says Steven Ast, a recruiter in Stamford, Conn.
Show the breadth of your interests. Great fundraisers must be able to engage potential donors on a wide range of topics. Also, says Ronald Schiller, senior vice president of Lois L. Lindauer Searches, “Having interests outside of development makes you a more interesting person.”
