We asked ACEVO members to share the best questions they were ever asked in interviews, and here’s what you said!
Applying for a job and then preparing for an interview can be a full-time job. For charity CEO candidates, interviews are more than a formality. They are opportunities to showcase your vision, values, and leadership style. Preparation can be the difference between giving a good answer and making a lasting impression.
We hope the examples below can help you if you are preparing for an interview or in the process of seeking someone to fulfil a charity CEO role.
All the questions featured here were suggested by our members, either in the ACEVO Community or as a response to our callout in our weekly member-only newsletter. We also reached out to ACEVO’s followers on LinkedIn.
Values and self-awareness
- “Where would people say they saw your values in your life or work?” – Have concrete examples ready where your values shaped your leadership.
- “Why this, why now?” — Reflect deeply on your motivation for the role and your timing.
- “What was your greatest leadership challenge to date? What did you learn and what would you do differently next time?” — Use a story that demonstrates reflection and growth.
- “How do you evaluate the contribution you’ve made?” — Be ready to discuss impact and personal accountability.
- “How do you assess your own judgements or those of other people?” — Prepare examples showing critical thinking and self-awareness.
Diversity, equality and inclusion
- “What experience do you have of creating a diverse and inclusive team?” — Show awareness and measurable actions taken.
- “Can you give us an example of when you have demonstrated a personal commitment to promoting equality, embracing diversity and supporting inclusion?” — Illustrate lived experience and action.
- “As an organisation, we have a commitment to DEI. How would you take this forward in this role?” — Go beyond training to concrete actions and measurable impact.
Go further on your DEI journey: check the resources from the Race Equity Series
Strategic thinking
- “Where would you take us that is ambitious and exciting but respects our background and history?” — Show understanding of the organisation and your ability to lead respectful change.
- “What prior experience, knowledge, awareness or understanding would you bring to the role and our mission and work?” — Align your experience with the organisation’s needs.
- “What questions do you typically ask on arrival in a new organisation? Why?” — This shows curiosity and preparedness.
- “What skills/experience would you look for in your team to supplement your own?” — Demonstrate your ability to strengthen leadership teams.
- “Where have you demonstrated the creative thinking and organisational leadership that led to change and impact? What were the unanticipated consequences?” — Be ready to discuss transformation and learning.
Personal insight and fit
- “Tell us about a workplace you really thrived in and why.” — Reflect on your ideal environment and connect it to the role.
- “What do you do to understand your business better?” — Show curiosity and proactive leadership.
- “Can you tell us why you consider yourself to be an inclusive leader?” — Give specific examples of inclusive leadership.
- “If you were offered this role, what would be the biggest obstacle to you accepting?” — Show thoughtfulness and openness.
- “What are the risks to us of hiring you and the risks to you of taking the job?” — Demonstrate self-awareness and honesty.
- “Have we given you the opportunity to share all you wanted to today? If not, would you like to share it now?” — This allows a final chance to highlight strengths and motivations.