Raiser's Edge Interview Questions and Evaluation Test

Mary Del Bianco

Hello All,



Does anyone have interview questions/evaluation test that they can share?



Thanks

Mary

Ali Burke 2

I have a quiz I used for a Database Assistant position (someone who would be creating queries, reports, exception reports, etc) Would that be useful to you?  It was more a test to see if they understood logic...

Mary Del Bianco

Yes, if you can share, that would be great!

Ali Burke 2

No problem, I just sent you a pm asking for an email address so I can mail it to you.  



After they did the basic test, I also asked them (assumming they had RE experience) questions like "If I wanted to see information about gifts over $100 in the last x months, what type of query would be best to get accurate data?"  



I also like to ask the situational type questions.  

"If you were to make a HUGE mistake, ie delete an RE record, whats the first thing you would do?"  Ideally the answer should be ADMIT IT, plan how to fix it, learn from your mistake



"If you don't know how to do something in RE or Luminate, TeamRaisers, etc, what is your course of action?"  Ideally, internal procedures, training videos, knowledge base, documentation, etc, and of course ask a co-worker.  Its important to me that a person can problem solve, and find answers so this is a good one.



Finally, one of my favourite questions to ask when I do get to interview (and I've used this in interviewing 2 Communication Specialists, a Database & Analytics Coordinator, and previously, when I worked in IT, a Programmer Analyst...



If you could do any job/career and money/training didn't matter, what would you do?  I think this just lets you know what drives this person, and where their passions lie. 



ali

Joshua Bekerman bCLO bCRE

The best RE interview question of all:  "Do you have the Blackbaud Certification in The Raiser's Edge (bCRE)?" 

Theryl Drew

G'morning! Please information to me! THANKS FOR THE KNOWLEDGE!!!





 

Jen Claudy

I agree with Josh.  Also, be sure to check out the resume and cover letter.  I've had (more than one) applicants state that they are experts in Razor's Edge.  If you're an expert, or at all experienced, you should know how to spell it.  And if you're not, you should refer to the job description on how to spell it.  So that being said, also be sure to check with Blackbaud, as there is supposed to be a directory of sorts where you can confirm if someone does have a level of bCRE.



As you get into the hiring process, I would suggest setting up some dummy records or using a sample database and having the candidates actually perform some of the functions that will be responsibilities of the job.



And keep in mind that even if they don't know know how to do what you need them to do, if they are familiar with RE or a relational database, or show a capacity for quick learning, they may end up being an ideal member of your team.  Particularly if your organization has a Blackbaud University subscription.

Michelle Kolak

We were considering creating some kind of test too.  We were cautioned to make sure the HR department is in on any kind of testing as there may be some kind of regulations involved.

Marcia Nguyen

We recently had one for data entry position .... I created a number of blank cheques, which the team then filled in, that they then had to key into excel spreadsheet. This tested how accurate they could identify information on the cheques, handwriting, who the 'In Memory Donation' or Event was for, and place into a batch type format. Overall, gave us good insight on their ability and accuracy. We didn't end up having them login to RE as it was an entry level position so needed to be flexible on previous experience.



 

Georgia Rennie

Ali Burke:

I have a quiz I used for a Database Assistant position (someone who would be creating queries, reports, exception reports, etc) Would that be useful to you?  It was more a test to see if they understood logic...

Hi Ali,  We are in the process of looking for entry level database person.  Our requirements do not insist upon RE experience but do ask for some database experience.  Would you mind sharing your test with me?



Thanks so much!

Georgia Rennie

georgia.rennie@ppsfl.org

Andee McCall

Ali Burke:

I have a quiz I used for a Database Assistant position (someone who would be creating queries, reports, exception reports, etc) Would that be useful to you?  It was more a test to see if they understood logic...

I would LOVE a copy of your quiz! We hired someone who told us that she had Raiser's Edge experience, mainly in entering contacts, and I'm pretty positive that she had never seen the program before her first day on the job. We even had to make her job  security dependent upon her getting certified (or at least taking all of the courses) just to force her to take training above the introductory videos. FRUSTRATING!!!

Tracie Cassidy

I know this post is from a month ago, but we're actually in the interview process right now & these are the questions I'm asking. These are questions asked of a person applying for the database coordinator/manager position. So, more than a super user. There isn't necessarily a right or wrong answer; but the way they answer the questions gives me an idea of their skill level.



Phone Interview - how they answers these determines whether they get a face-to-face interview:

How many years have you worked with Raisers Edge?

Do you have Blackbaud certification? If so, what level?

Do you have experience with NetCommunity?

Have you ever created custom reports using Crystal? If so, what was the report for?

What gets you excited about data?



Face-to-face Interview - how they answer these determines if they get a 2nd interview:

What kinds of tasks would you perform to insure data integrity?

If someone gave you a list of RE Donor IDs only & asked you for addresses for those donors, how would you get that info?

What’s the difference between Query & Export?

What optional modules have you used?

Give us an example of when you’d use Global Add vs Global Change.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had using Raisers Edge?

What would you do if you were importing records & realized you made a mistake?

What’s the fastest way to determine Total Giving for a constituent?

What would you do if a user came to you with an error message in Raisers Edge?

Gary Byrd

Ali Burke:

I have a quiz I used for a Database Assistant position (someone who would be creating queries, reports, exception reports, etc) Would that be useful to you?  It was more a test to see if they understood logic...

Hi Ali,



I know it's been a couple of months but would you mind sending me a copy of your quiz? I would LOVE to see how you've done it.  If possible could you email it to ebrown@york.org.  Thank you so much!

Brinda Goswami

Ali Burke:

I have a quiz I used for a Database Assistant position (someone who would be creating queries, reports, exception reports, etc) Would that be useful to you?  It was more a test to see if they understood logic...

Hi Ali,



Could you please send me this quiz as we are looking for a part-time gift entry person? bgoswami@torontopubliclibrary.ca.



Thanks so much.

Brinda

Marie Tuhy

Ali Burke:

I have a quiz I used for a Database Assistant position (someone who would be creating queries, reports, exception reports, etc) Would that be useful to you?  It was more a test to see if they understood logic...

Any chance you could send me the quiz as well? marie.tuhy@peopleincorporated.org


Thank you!!!!!

Gwen CapersSingleton

Ali Burke:

I have a quiz I used for a Database Assistant position (someone who would be creating queries, reports, exception reports, etc) Would that be useful to you?  It was more a test to see if they understood logic...

Ali, would you be so kind to share your quiz with me as well. My email addresss is "singletong@hpccr.org".

Thanks in advance!

Francesca Mayca Wegner

Gwen- 


Was Ali able to send you the quiz? If so, could you forward to me? francescaw@familypeacecenter.org


Thank you!