Don't Be A Relic: 10 Ways to Deal With Ageism

by Erin O'Connor Jones

categories: Job Seekers, Random, Resources, Resumes, Search Strategy, Sector Switcher Stories, Sector Switchers

Posted to Sector Switchers February 08, 2010 @ 07:17PM PT

I am hesitant to write about ageism given that it's illegal, but unfortunately, it's a reality for many job seekers. If you are a sector switcher and launching your second career in the nonprofit sector, you may also be over 50. I work with many clients, and lately, more job seekers approaching 50, 55, 60, 65 and 70 years old.  If you fall into this "experienced" category, I hope you see the value in your experience and can acknowledge the wisdom that 20+ years of living brings to the workplace. Here are some ways to tackle ageism:

1. Believe that your age is a good thing.
2. Make sure you can keep up, get your hands dirty and stay current.
3. Don't be digitally disabled. Technology can't scare you or you'll be left behind.
4. You aren't looking for a place to "hang out" until retirement, but have another 5, 10, or 15 years of leading, learning and working left.
5. Money isn't the motivating factor - don't price yourself out of the market because of your experience. You may have to accept a lower salary, especially if you are a sector switcher.
6. Make yourself relevant. Talk about your transferable skills and showcase them on your resume and in your cover letter. 
7. Consider consulting as an interim step to landing a new job and to demonstrate your value.
8. Be prepared to work for someone younger than you.
9. Read, research and stay current and look to the future of your issue, mission or cause. 
10. Give your resume and cover letter a makeover.

There are a number of online resources for over 50 job seekers. Here's a quick list if you are interested:

AARP: Money and Work
A section of the AARP’s web site focused on employment opportunities and advice for retirement age adults.

Executive Service Corps Affiliate Network
A nationwide network of thirty-three nonprofit consulting groups that provide services to nonprofits, schools, and government agencies. .

Civic Ventures
Through research, publishing, conferences, and outreach, Civic Ventures is reframing the debate about aging in America and redefining the second half of life as a source of social and individual renewal.

Encore
An online guide of career resources geared towards finding work that matters in the second half of life.

Eons
An online social networking site that calls itself “ the largest online gathering of people who are lovin’ life on the flipside of 50!”

(Photo Credit: http://360jobinterview.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/ageism.jpg)

How To Professionalize Your Facebook Profile

by Meghan Oakley

categories: Tips for Alum, Tips for Applicants, AmeriCorps

Posted to AmeriCorps February 04, 2010 @ 10:14AM PT

Whether are on the job hunt, working in your first non-profit job, or currently serving as an AmeriCorps member, Facebook  can be a great tool for networking and collaboration. The only trick is finding the balance between keeping your profile personal (i.e. you still get a chance to check-in with your little sister) and professional (maintaining your image at work).

Here are a couple of tips on how to professionalize your profile:

Skim your pictures: The thing that I love most about Facebook is that it lets me easily share pictures and access my friends' pictures. However, every up has a down and that down is getting TAGGED in an embarrassing pic like the one above. And yes, that is really me, and yes, that is really a beer helmet on my head.

Take a minute to go through your pics and untag inappropriate ones (even if you are well over the drinking age). How do you know what should stay? Ask yourself... would I bring this pic into work to share with my boss?

Join the right networks: This not just about joining groups pertinent to your career path, but also looking for (public) groups that you are a part of that might turn people off. These groups can be groups that are inappropriate (Miller Lite Girls of America) or groups that align you with one side of a controversial topic (I'm thinking politics here, not "I'm with CoCo.") There are a lot of professionals out there that simply choose not to join political or religious groups on Facebook.

Choose your friends well: If you have a friend that likes to post on your wall about how great your keg stand form was last night, you might want to consider a). Asking them to stop or b). Defriending them. I know that it sounds harsh, but more and more people are Googling their job candidates and employees to get more information about them than what is on their resume. If they go to your Facebook page and the top wall post is about your Sudoku speed (at work), that doesn't look good.

Watch out for TMI: There are lots of opportunities to provide Too Much Information on Facebook. Along with monitoring your pictures, groups, friends, and wall posts, you might want to think about the general information about you on your profile. I personally choose to avoid putting information about my age (my b-day doesn't include the year), political views, and religion.

In the end, it all comes down to personal preference. Some people choose to keep their Facebook profile personal and set it to private and that's the end of that story. However, if you are part of the growing numbers of young professionals that use Facebook for work, networking, and collaboration. Give some thoughts to the tips above.

Photo Attribution: Pic provided by the Author

Wanted: Your Best Resume

by Erin O'Connor Jones

categories: Job Seekers, Random, Resources, Resumes, Search Strategy, Sector Switchers

Posted to Sector Switchers February 01, 2010 @ 07:38PM PT

Did you know that no two job seekers are alike? You may be wondering how I know this, and I'll tell you quickly - I talk with job seekers, read their emails and questions and lastly, review their resumes all day long.  If you are a job seeker, you might be a little cranky, overwhelmed or hopefully, excited about the opportunities that await you.  Another thing that's important to note, no two resumes are alike.  

Your resume should reflect your passion, skills, experience and lastly, a career trajectory.  You can demonstrate your value to a potential employer in many ways, but consider it your introduction. After all, the HR person, recruiter or hiring manager will probably only spend 8 seconds looking at it.  If you are a sector switcher or can't demonstrate a linear career path, a combined functional and chronological resume may work best for you. 

What does this type of resume look like? It's the best of both worlds - marrying functional with chronological in an orderly, easy to understand fashion. You can use a functional introduction at the top half and a chronological work history at the bottom half of your resume, calling attention to your skills and achievements, followed by your work history. This works especially well for sector switchers that are heavily involved with volunteer work or Board service as you can move this to the top of your resume, answering the question right away to an employer about your commitment, experience and passion for nonprofit sector.

The world of resume creation is confusing and of course, everyone has an opinion about what's most effective.  You need to be comfortable with your choice, but if you aren't getting calls, interviews or offers, it could be time to dust off your resume and freshen it up.  A resume that worked 5 or 10 years ago probably reflects its age and worst of all, doesn't showcase your skills, achievements and potential contribution.  Consider your potential and double check to see if its shining through on your resume.  If you can't figure it out, seek professional help, advice, or visit your library for an up-to-date resume book.  There is definitely no shortage of help, assistance and resources out there.

(Photo Credit: http://a.abcnews.com/images/GMA/at_woman_computer_070427_mn.jpg)

The Top 5 Job Seeker Mistakes

by Erin O'Connor Jones

categories: Cover Letters, Interviewing, Job Seekers, Random, Resources, Resumes, Search Strategy, Sector Switchers

Posted to Sector Switchers January 27, 2010 @ 09:27PM PT

If you are looking for a new, nonprofit job and wondering why your phone isn't ringing, your email account is empty and there's no follow-up to a "great interview", there is probably a good reason.  A successful job search starts with more than just a perfect resume. There are many common mistakes that job seekers make, but after reviewing resumes all day, I am starting with these five:

1. Not following directions.  If you find a job that catches your attention, read the posting carefully.  Most importantly, follow their instructions. If they request PDF's of your resume and cover letter, send a PDF.  Of course, there is that sticky salary history question. Answer it!  If you don't, they will notice. They're asking for the information because it's needed to rule you in or rule you out - not because they want to use it later to make a low-ball offer.  Follow directions, and you've increased your chances of an interview.
2. Videos, brochures and "extra stuff".   If your materials are top-rate and done well, you can consider using them. If they aren't done well (and most aren't), they are a distraction to what your real credentials are.  In addition, many recruiters and hiring managers consider these types of materials an annoyance.  My colleague (an experienced recruiter) has a great view about all the 'extra materials' that sometimes arrive in her mailbox, "It's like the American Idol tryouts - you don't need a gimmick, just a good voice."  My advice: Don't do it.
3. Applying just "because".  Are you applying to meet an unemployment requirement or because the job seems "interesting?" If the answer to these questions is yes, you aren't being strategic.  A strategic job seeker is focused applying for jobs that match their strengths and qualifications. 
4. Avoiding questions. You might be nervous, surprised by the question or better, don't know the answer so you start to answer the question and hope the interviewer forgets what they originally asked. This is a big mistake made by so many people.  If you don't know the answer, be honest.  Alternatively, take a second to think about your answer - it's OK to gather your thoughts quickly before launching into a wrong or uncertain answer.  An important point when answering questions: please, don't whine about your boss, financial or personal issues and how hard it is to find a new job. 
5. Going it alone.  If you've been job seeking for a while with no leads, interviews or offers, you need help.  Don't be afraid to reach out and get a second opinion.  There is no shame in asking for help from your network. Enlist the troops - everyone that might be helpful to your job search.  Don't forget to ask for help.  It'll make a difference.

(Photo Credit: http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn)

How Your Persistence Might Be Turning People Off

by Meghan Oakley

categories: Tips for Alum, Tips for Applicants, AmeriCorps

Posted to AmeriCorps January 26, 2010 @ 11:13AM PT

This is a true story that I heard from a friend whose organization is currently hiring a full-time Program Manager. Names have been changed to protect the innocent.

So, there is this Program Manager position open at a pretty well-known and well-respected non-profit organization. As the hiring goes in larger non-profits, all cover letters and resume were to be submitted to the HR department, rather than directly to the department with the opening (where my friend John works).

A few days after the position opens, a woman sends her cover letter and resume to the email address for the HR contact person (who on that particular day is out of the office on vacation) and receives an out of office reply.

Instead of just leaving the email to be read and responded to when the HR guy got back from vacation, the woman goes on to call and leave voicemails for everyone in the department that has the open position (including my friend, John) to inquire if the email has been received (which they have no way of knowing, as this is HR's job).

Feeling that all bases have not been covered by emailing the HR guy and leaving numerous, random voicemails, the woman shows up at my friend John's office to turn in the application in person. My friend John accepts the application and drops it in interdepartmental mail for the HR guy, who will surely get to it all after he has received the woman's initial email.

In the meantime, my friend John red flags the woman's resume. Why? Her behavior was illustrative of a few important things: 1). She does not take direction well; 2). She doesn't understand the value other people's time; 3). She is not very professional; and 4). She is neither flexible nor patient.

You might think that these judgments are a little severe and unfair, and they might be. However, these are tough times for job hunters and when an organization receives hundreds of applications for a single position, hiring managers use what they know to cut the pool of applicants down to size.

The moral of the story? Persistence is being patient and determined in your job search. It does not mean that you call when it says "no calls please" or submit your resume multiple times.

That will make you stick out... but not in a good way.

Photo Attribution: WordPress

Wow! 97 Nonprofit Job Boards That Cover It All

by Erin O'Connor Jones

categories: Job Seekers, Resources, Search Strategy, Sector Switchers

Posted to Sector Switchers January 25, 2010 @ 04:08PM PT

Are you looking for a nonprofit job? If so, our friends at the Guide to Online Schools have put together a comprehensive list of resources to help.  Their list is an impressive one with 97 choices to visit, ranging from entry-level to senior level nonprofit positions.  My favorite ones are listed - Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group, Change.org,  Eco.org and Idealist.   I'll be surprised to hear if there any sites are missing, but let me know if your favorite is missing! 

(Photo Credit: http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/job_board1.jpg)

5 Things to Find Out Before You Accept a Position

by Meghan Oakley

categories: Tips for Applicants, AmeriCorps

Posted to AmeriCorps January 21, 2010 @ 12:38PM PT

I remember the day that I was accepted into AmeriCorps like it was yesterday. I was walking home to my college apartment from campus and my cell phone rang. It was my mom, and she had received the letter indicated that I had been placed on the AmeriCorps*NCCC campus in California.

I danced across the street (and surprisingly didn't get hit by a car), and rushed into my apartment to dive head first into accepting my position.

Although nothing dire befell me, I skipped a crucial step. In my excitement of getting into the program of my choice (and California, no less!), I failed to ask some important questions about what my next 10 months were going to be like.

Here are a few things that you need to know before you dive right in:

1). Compensation: Check on the amount of the living stipend (if you will have one) and even try to figure out your post-tax paycheck. Also, you will be eligible for a partial or full education award. Double check the amount and any rules governing it (i.e. what types of loans it can be used for and an "expiration" dates)

2). Living situation: If your sponsor provides housing, check on that, and if not, ask if you can get some support in finding affordable housing other AmeriCorps members can make great roommates, or you might find that boarding it a good, affordable option. Either way, find out whose responsibility it is (you or your sponsor) to find your housing. And don't be afraid to ask questions about neighborhoods, travel time to work site, etc.

3). Time commitments: What are your start and end dates? (This is really important because even if you leave your service a single day early it can affect your ability to be eligible for your education award. Also, will there be evening and weekend work? What holidays will you have off? What is the personal leave/vacation policy?

4). Special circumstances: Will there be regulations that you need to adhere to during your term of service? In AmeriCorps*VISTA, members are prohibited from having other jobs, attending school, and participating in certain political activities. Other programs have rules that constrain oversees travel while you are a member. It's in your best interest to find out this information before you commit to a year of service!

5). Professional support: What supports will be in place for your during your year? Who will be your direct supervisor? How will you gain feedback and be accessed? What professional and career development opportunities will there be?

Do yourself a favor. Take a deep breath and some time to find the answers to these questions so that you can dive into your year knowing that it is going to be a great experience.

Photo Attribution: About.com