Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Community Mobilization • Resource Allocation • Community Partnership

Proposal Writing

Term from Community Outreach industry explained for recruiters

Proposal Writing is the skill of creating detailed, persuasive documents that request funding, support, or resources from organizations like foundations, government agencies, or donors. It's similar to grant writing but can include other types of proposals like business partnerships or program initiatives. People who do proposal writing help organizations explain their ideas, show why they need support, and outline how they'll use resources effectively. This role is especially important in non-profits, educational institutions, and community organizations where securing funding is crucial for programs and services.

Examples in Resumes

Secured $500,000 in funding through Proposal Writing for community education programs

Led team responsible for Grant and Proposal Writing, achieving 75% success rate

Developed 20+ successful Proposal Writing submissions for various federal and state grants

Typical job title: "Proposal Writers"

Also try searching for:

Grant Writer Development Writer Funding Specialist Grant Specialist Development Coordinator Grant Coordinator Program Development Specialist

Where to Find Proposal Writers

Professional Associations

Job Boards

Online Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you manage multiple proposal deadlines and coordinate with different departments?

Expected Answer: Look for answers showing experience with project management tools, ability to prioritize, and strong communication skills with various stakeholders. They should mention systems they've developed for tracking deadlines and coordinating input from multiple sources.

Q: How have you improved proposal success rates in your previous roles?

Expected Answer: Strong candidates should discuss specific strategies they've implemented, such as improving research methods, creating better templates, or developing stronger evaluation metrics. They should be able to quote specific improvement percentages.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What research do you conduct before starting a proposal?

Expected Answer: Candidate should mention reviewing funder guidelines, researching past funded projects, studying the funding organization's priorities, and gathering internal data about their organization's programs and impact.

Q: How do you incorporate budget information into proposals?

Expected Answer: Look for understanding of basic budget development, ability to work with finance teams, and experience presenting financial information clearly to funders. Should mention importance of accurate and realistic budgets.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What elements do you think make a strong proposal?

Expected Answer: Should mention clear writing, following guidelines, strong program descriptions, measurable goals, and realistic budgets. Basic understanding of proposal structure is important.

Q: How do you ensure accuracy in proposal submissions?

Expected Answer: Should discuss proofreading techniques, fact-checking processes, and the importance of having others review their work. May mention using checklists or templates.