Commongood Careers

What to Expect

Step 1: Applying for a Position

The first step is to apply for an open position. You can find a list of available opportunities in the Job Listings section of our website. You can also choose to receive the latest job opportunities delivered to your email inbox by subscribing to our free monthly newsletter.

Each position announcement has a section at the bottom called “To Apply.” In most cases, the application process will include submitting your materials through a short online application.

If you are interested in applying for more than one position, you must submit a separate application for each position. We strongly recommend customizing your cover letter for each position to demonstrate your interest and fit with each particular role.

If you experience any problems submitting your application or receiving communications from Commongood Careers, please visit Technical Support.

Step 2: The Application Review

Commongood Careers carefully reviews every application we receive. Each candidate’s background, experience, and competencies are evaluated against the specific requirements of the position. If we determine that your application is among the strongest in the candidate pool, we will invite you to participate in a preliminary phone interview. Otherwise, we will notify you by email that you will not be moving forward in the process. Unless you instruct us otherwise, we will keep your application on file in our talent database so that we can invite you to apply to other opportunities in the future.

Step 3: The Phone Interview

Phone interviews provide an opportunity for Commongood Careers to gain a better understanding of your fit with the position requirements. The phone interview generally lasts about 30 minutes, during which time we will discuss your background, experience, and core competencies. Following the phone interview, if we determine that your candidacy is among the strongest in the pool, we will present your candidacy to the hiring organization. You may wish to read our article The Art of the Phone Interview to help you prepare.

After reviewing your candidacy, you will be notified if the hiring organization requests a meeting with you. If not, you will be notified with regrets and we will keep your application materials on file for consideration in future searches. Please note that this determination is made directly by the hiring organization and may take several weeks.

Step 4: Interviewing with the Hiring Organization

Hiring processes vary from organization to organization. After the initial interview, some organizations may invite you back for a second or third round interview, request writing samples, or ask you to attend a staff meeting or other office event. Commongood Careers is available to support you throughout this period. You may wish to read our article Meeting the Nonprofit for some helpful advice on what to expect and how to prepare.

Step 5: Reference Checks

Before an offer is made, the hiring organization will speak with your professional references. Please prepare your reference list in advance. In most cases, reference checks are conducted directly by the hiring organization, as opposed to employees of Commongood Careers.

Once you’ve provided this information to the hiring organization, remember to communicate to your references that a potential employer may contact them, as well as any information about the potential confidentiality of your job search to all parties involved. Finally, keep in mind that hiring organizations maintain various rights and capabilities, some of which vary by state, to conduct further background checks, general reference inquiries, reviews of online and other publicly available information, and to confirm information provided in your application.

Step 6: Receiving an Employment Offer

Finally, if the hiring organization so chooses, they may extend an employment offer to you. In an offer, the hiring organization will generally provide information about compensation, vacation, and benefits. Typically, the hiring organization will expect to hear your decision within 1-2 days. Commongood Careers is available upon request to support you during this stage to help you make an informed decision that’s right for you.