Do Something Good.

by Erin O'Connor Jones

categories: Job Seekers, Search Strategy, Stories, Volunteering

Published May 12, 2009 @ 07:24PM PT

Portland Man Loses Job and Founds a Nonprofit

Seth Reams, co-founder of We've Got Time To Help, digs a hole for a fence for someone in need.

Have you been laid off, anticipating a lay-off or searching for your next great career? As the economy falters, many people are being laid off and forced into an unplanned job search. For many job seekers, this is the perfect time to explore the nonprofit sector by volunteering. Identify a cause or interest that you are passionate about (I know that it's hard to feel passionate about anything after being laid off, but use your hobbies or interests as your guide) and identify a nonprofit agency making an impact in this area. Here is the perfect opportunity to use your interest, passion and skills to make a difference.

If you have been following the Obama administration and their focus on service, you are no stranger to the multitude of opportunities that exist to make a difference. If you don't have a clue about where to begin your volunteer search, talk with your colleagues, neighbors, friends and family members to hear about where they volunteer or donate resources.  If you haven't already looked online, check out VolunteerMatch and the TapRoot Foundation to explore opportunities. If nothing else, you'll be inspired after reading stories about successful sector switchers.  Share your story in the comment section or email me. I'd love to hear how you made your sector switch.

Get Started (and Smarter) with Three Resources

by Erin O'Connor Jones

categories: Job Seekers, Resources, Search Strategy

Published May 12, 2009 @ 09:30PM PT

If you are just getting started on a job search or contemplating a sector switch, here are three resources to get started:

1. Did you know there are over 1.8 million IRS registered nonprofit organizations in the United States? You can check out many of them at GuideStar.org. The site allows you to search by mission, cause and key words (and many other things). Bookmark this site and refer to it often during your job search.
2. Change Your Career: Transitioning to the NonProfit Sector This is a must have on your desk or book shelf.  Read it, and you'll be instantly smart about transitioning to the nonprofit sector. Written by Laura Gassner Otting, Founder and President of the Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group, it is a practical, how-to guide to starting a nonprofit job search.
3. Encore: Finding Work that Matters in the Second Half of Life Marc Freedman provides insight, anecdotes and resources to help sort through deciding what the second half of your life can look like.  This book isn't just for baby boomers or retirees, but for those in their 40's too. I recommend this book if you are ready to contemplate serious things and eager for guidance about your next career and a shift in priorities.

Email me or post your resources here to share with other readers. For more resources check out NPAG's list of great resources.

Let's Face It: Sometimes It's Who You Know

by Erin O'Connor Jones

categories: Job Seekers, Resources, Search Strategy

Published May 14, 2009 @ 09:04PM PT

(image courtesy of www.flickr.com/photos)

I work with a lot of job seekers to provide strategic advice on their job search and am surprised by the different answers I receive when I ask about networking.  Many times people tell me they are too shy or afraid to ask their friends for help looking for a job. Now is not the time to be shy.

Did you know that it is estimated that nearly 80 percent of all jobs are found through friends, former colleagues and recommendations? If you are feeling overwhelmed (or under-networked), you need to set a goal, make a plan and work towards achieving it.

These tips should make your networking efforts easier to manage (especially if you are an introvert and even an extrovert):

Get organized and set goals. Draft a networking spreadsheet and timeline to help you to stay organized and consistently make progress in your job search. Set realistic goals along a weekly timeline, such as “Contact five people I used to work with,” “Research and register for a conference in my area of expertise,” or “Update my Linked In profile.”

Access your current network. Many job seekers underestimate the wealth of networking potential that can be tapped through current and past colleagues, neighbors, fellow volunteers, classmates, people who share your religious affiliations, your friends at the bakery and even the dog park.

Create an expanded network. After you have reached out to your close networks, it is time to begin networking outside of your comfort zone. This means researching and finding individuals who need to know about you even if they don’t already. If you have been shy about networking with new individuals because it makes you uncomfortable, take a moment to reflect on what about the interaction is most uncomfortable and why.

Be visible. Accept social invitations, continue your memberships, and attend relevant industry meetings and gatherings. Be aware of annual meetings and social opportunities and don’t be afraid to attend because you are no longer employed or are new to the sector.

Use technology and online resources. In today’s world, online resources are extraordinarily rich, and social networking is an increasingly important tool in targeting talent. There are thousands of nonprofit networking groups and myriad blog postings related to finding and hiring talented, mission-driven staff. Using it wisely as a potential candidate is a skill that can exponentially expand networking opportunities.

Maximize traditional resources. Despite the power of new technology, it is important to not overlook traditional tools. Remember to ask a trusted friend or colleague to review your resume, talk with you about your networking strategy, and help you define realistic professional goals.

Volunteer or work part-time. Even if you have the financial flexibility to remain idle while searching for your next job, consider a visible volunteer, part-time, or temporary position as an investment in your networking strategy. There are temporary positions available in the nonprofit sector and, while you may be overqualified for a temp job, that position may present opportunities to you that you would not have access to otherwise. Likewise, volunteering or working part-time can be a powerful tool in your networking. A smart networker will make the most of every opportunity to prove what s/he can do.

Keep moving forward. Networking requires an enormous amount of time, patience, energy, and dedication and broad networking is a series of exchanges designed around common interests.

Did you find your job through a friend or someone in your network? If so, tell me your story.

So, Tell Me a Little About Yourself

by Erin O'Connor Jones

categories: Interviewing, Job Seekers, Resources, Search Strategy

Published May 18, 2009 @ 09:39AM PT

Congratulations! You’ve landed an interview, but now what?  There are many ways to approach interviewing, but no matter how prepared you feel you may also feel a bit nervous and this is ok. I think a little nervous is a good thing, but a lot nervous might mean you aren’t well-prepared.  Don’t forget the basics:

1. Leave the cologne at home.  This means no perfume or heavy aftershave.
2. Dress your best. It’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed.
3. Wear a watch. Arrive 15 minutes early if possible.
4. Turn your cell phone or pager OFF. 
5. Bring five extra copies of your resume and an updated list of references with their contact information.
6. A pad of paper and pen to take notes.
7. Be a good listener.
8. Answer the questions as directly as possible.  
9. Don’t forget your sense of humor.
10. A firm handshake and a smile.
11. Your datebook to schedule another appointment.
12. Send a thank you note.

The basics are just that, the basics.  These tips may make all the difference:

• Check out this great resource for job seekers – You won’t be disappointed by salary information and posted interview questions from job seekers and readers.  
• Practice interviewing.  Work with a trusted friend or colleague or hire a consultant or job coach. If you’ve had a lot of interviews and no job offers, you may want to take a look at your interviewing style.
• Do your homework.  Go way beyond just the employer’s website and read financials online at www.guidestar.org, learn about the senior management team, google for recent news articles or funding initiatives.   
• Prepare questions.  There will be a time for your questions and you should be prepared with three or four questions (and make sure they are relevant).
• Ask for feedback.  Are you noticing a trend? First interviews, but no second invitations?  Take some time for self-reflection and incorporate the feedback into your next interview.

I’d love to hear your stories about interviewing or questions that have surprised you. Feel free to post in the comments section and I’ll respond.  

Just Like Your Favorite Shoes, Make Your Resume Shine

by Erin O'Connor Jones

categories: Job Seekers, Resources, Resumes, Search Strategy

Published May 19, 2009 @ 12:56PM PT

Writing your resume is sort of like shopping for a new pair of shoes - the choices are endless, but in the end you want a pair that look great and complement your style.   Typically shoes can't be returned if they are worn, but you can change them based on what your doing or where you are going (think sneakers for the gym and dress shoes for the interview).  And just like your stylish shoes, your resume should shine with your personal style, skills and achievements.

The thought of customizing a resume can be tricky and confusing especially if you haven't looked for a new job in 20 years or are switching sectors.  The chronological resume is designed to show your work history in order, by date.  This is a popular type of resume and really works for people who've been in the same field or job for a long time. It also works for people with no gaps in their work history.  A functional resume or skills-based resume presents your skills and abilities, highlighting your accomplishments and range of experiences.  This resume sometimes works best for sector switchers and those returning to the workforce  because it can emphasize your transferable skills including those gained through volunteering, training or hobbies.

The newest arrival to the list of resume formats is the multimedia resume.  Listen here to a recent NPR news story that talks with job seekers getting noticed using Multimedia presentations.  After listening, you can visit here to design your own.  It's here that you can develop your resume complete with photos, music, presentations and best of all, it's free.

When reviewing resumes, I ask a lot of questions about work history, skills and achievements to determine a candidates' best resume presentation.  Remember this: A great resume is customized and isn't a "one size fits all," but should always reflect your skills, experience and possibility to a potential employer (and don't forget to spell check).

Is It Time to Reinvent Yourself?

by Erin O'Connor Jones

categories: Job Seekers, Random, Search Strategy

Published May 21, 2009 @ 10:17AM PT

If you are considering a career change, a reinvention of yourself or starting over, you may also be considering the nonprofit or public sectors.  This is a great time to make a difference in the world and to work daily for an issue or cause that you feel passionate about.

I've spent my career working in the nonprofit sector with the exception of 18 months when I was 22 years old and worked for a speciality life insurance company, processing life insurance annuities.  I consider this job a highlight in my career, because it brought A LOT clarity. Once I took the job, I quickly determined what motivated me and it definitely wasn't a career ladder at the insurance company processing claims.  Within a month of working there, I missed my former work with children and families and by the time I left to pursue graduate school (funded in part by my higher salary), I knew that I'd most likely spend my career in the nonprofit sector.   

If you are getting ready for some change, you can start by first answering these questions:

1. What motivates you? Are you motivated more by earning a large paycheck or by making a difference? If you are enjoying your volunteer work more than your 9-5 job, then you may already have the answer.  You definitely don't have to take a vow of poverty when transitioning to the nonprofit sector, but you have to determine what you can live with and what you can't.
2. Is there something that you are passionate about? Think about all the things that are important to you - the environment, education, housing, or access to food.  There are over a million nonprofit organizations registered with the IRS and the opportunities are endless. If you can't identify what you are most passionate about, start with a "not so much" list. 
3. What are your skills and expertise?  Put together a list of things you excel at or have expertise in either because you've have experience doing them or have studied them in school.  The list can be as long as you'd like (it's for you to look at, not a potential employer) and may include things like management, accounting, public relations, sales, legal, or medical expertise.
4. What skills will transfer to the nonprofit sector?  (This can also be part of Number 2, but I think separating them out works too.) The nonprofit sector is vast and some or all of your skills will be welcomed. You will have to do some work to figure out which skills are most valuable.
5. Find someone who is doing what you want to do.  Once you've done some or all of items 1-4, (this is not a linear process), identify someone that works where you want to work.  Schedule some time with them via email or phone and come prepared with questions.  If you think you want to work at this organization or do the work the person is doing, craft great questions to get great answers.

I am a collector of information, books and resources and recommend this list to job seekers in the nonprofit sector.  Let me know if there are other resources that you've found helpful. 

Dear Human Resources

by Erin O'Connor Jones

categories: Cover Letters, Job Seekers, Resources, Search Strategy

Published May 27, 2009 @ 05:44PM PT

Image courtesy of www.flickr.com

Even with email, the cover letter is NOT a thing of the past.  Here is my top 10 list:

1. Keep it to one page. I know it's difficult to keep your excitement to a minimum, but one page is long enough.
2. Don't forget key information like address, phone number and email address. There is nothing worse than wanting to contact someone right away and having to hunt for relevant information.
3. Definitely personalize each letter with specific reference to the nonprofit and the position.
4. Always find a name to address the letter to and spell his/her name correctly (it can be a headhunter, human resource director or even the CEO/President or Executive Director).
5. Customize your cover letter by mentioning where you saw the position advertised and the specific title.
6. Don't use acronyms, the latest business guru's ideas or jargon - be straight with your information.
7. Match your skills and achievements to the job responsibilities and reference your accomplishments.
8. No tables, charts or graphs PLEASE.
9. Set yourself apart and make yourself unique to the reader by referencing your accomplishments and passion for the field.
10. No bright colors, pictures, photos or personal information (like recently divorced, married or have three kids).

A few extra points, don't rely on spell check only to detect errors. I know you are thinking what's the point of spell check if you now have to check it, but mistakes happen even in spell check world. The last point: Look on your book shelf for the classic, Elements of Style  and if you don't own it, consider purchasing a copy.