How To Professionalize Your Facebook Profile

by Meghan Oakley

category: Tips for Applicants

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

How Your Persistence Might Be Turning People Off

by Meghan Oakley

category: Tips for Applicants

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

5 Things to Find Out Before You Accept a Position

by Meghan Oakley

category: Tips for Applicants

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

How AmeriCorps Can Help You Lose Weight

by Meghan Oakley

category: Tips for Applicants

Posted to AmeriCorps January 14, 2010 @ 05:13PM PT

It's that time of year again... The gym is packed, the leftover Christmas cookies are in the trash, and millions of Americans are endeavoring on the most common New Year's Resolution of them all: Lose weight.

Whenever I'm in this boat (which I am this year!), I always think back to a picture of me and what I have come to call my "AmeriBod." An AmeriBod is the petite, toned body that I came away with after 10 months of serving in the Western Region of AmeriCorps*NCCC, which included lots of physically-demanding projects and even mandatory physical training.

AmeriCorps*NCCC isn't the only program that you put you to the physical test. City Year is infamous for its public physical training sessions and lots of programs keep you outside and active--like the conservation corps programs or building for Habitat for Humanity.

This is not to say that you should join AmeriCorps just to shed pounds. (If that's all you want, I recommend daily exercise and healthy eating). However, it should be noted that there are a lot of AmeriCorps programs out there that give you a chance to serve in a very direct and physical way. Not only can it be an opportunity to get out from behind a desk, but it can also give you a great sense of accomplishment.

Unfortunately, my AmeriBod did not stick around for very long. (It's hard to match 8 hours of manual labor plus physical training when you are working a 9 to 5). But that is okay. I still look back at that time fondly--not just how I looked, but how good it felt to clear a trail, build a house, and play soccer with kids.

Photo attribution: eHow

How to Include Volunteer Experience on Your Resume

by Meghan Oakley

category: Tips for Applicants

Posted to AmeriCorps January 08, 2010 @ 06:52AM PT

This article is posted with permission from its original author, Stacy Minter, of the Atlanta Chapter of AmeriCorps Alums.

As a former -corporate-world-HR-Professional-turned -Full-time AmeriCorps Member, one of the most common questions I hear is “How do I reflect my volunteer experience (or AmeriCorps service) on my resume?”

The answer is, for the most part, simple: Treat your volunteer experience almost exactly as you would your paid work history.  Gather all pertinent data pertaining to the volunteer experience, including dates, description of duties, accomplishments and any letters of recommendation, awards or reviews received.  Review your documents and create a rough draft of a resume entry for each volunteer position.

Next, and perhaps most importantly, review the job description of the position you are applying for and determine if your volunteer experience is relevant.  If it is relevant, then integrate your volunteer experience into the body of your employment history and in the same format as your paid positions, but title the section “Professional Experience” instead of “Employment History” or “Work Experience”.  (Or if you are using a functional resume, include your volunteer experience under the relevant skill area, just as you would your employment history.)

Don’t minimize your volunteer experience.  As long as the skills gained are relevant to your targeted job, list them! There is also no need to state that the position is a “Volunteer” or “Unpaid” position in the title, but be careful not to be misleading.  On why you shouldn’t use ‘Volunteer’ as your job title, Susan J. Ellis of Energize, Inc. states, “it's an adjective and alone does not convey the work that you accomplished. So, if you did tutoring, use the title ‘Tutor.’ If you coordinated a project, identify your work accurately as ‘Project Coordinator.’ The fact that you filled this position in an unpaid capacity is part of your description of the work. First grab your prospective employer's interest with an accurate position title.”

Finally, remember to use specifics and numbers when describing your position and list any relevant training you received, just as you would a regular paid position.

Focus on the relevant skills you developed, the valuable results you achieved, and the impact you made rather than your lack of salary, and that’s what your prospective employer will see.

Photo Attribution: Photo Bucket

Why You Should Consider AmeriCorps in the New Year

by Meghan Oakley

category: Tips for Applicants

Posted to AmeriCorps December 31, 2009 @ 01:32PM PT

There are lots of great benefits to joining AmeriCorps. But right now, joining the National Service movement is a better opportunity than ever. A couple reasons why you should dedicate 2010 to your community and country:

Launch your career during a recession: Although the Dow is up, unemployment is continues to linger in the double digits. For people new to the non-profit sector, applying for the small number of positions available can be a daunting task. AmeriCorps, on the other hand, is increasing its opportunities in 2010. Joining AmeriCorps gives you an opportunity to build your resume while you wait out the storm.

Enjoy increased financial support: During a time when most people saw pay freezes or lay-offs, some AmeriCorps program increased living allowances, like AmeriCorps*VISTA, which gave increases of 3%. Also, the Eli Segal Education Award, which is provided to all members who complete a year of service, has been increased from $4,725 to $5,350.

Photo attribution: All Proactive

1 Thing That You Won't Find in AmeriCorps

by Meghan Oakley

category: Tips for Applicants

Posted to AmeriCorps December 17, 2009 @ 11:50AM PT

This post is in response to comments on the "poor pay" in AmeriCorps, both by people in the blogosphere and by people like your Cousin Frank. Although this post might not get you any closer to landing an AmeriCorps position, you will at least know what to expect if you do land one.

As both a blogger and the program director of an AmeriCorps Program, I get plenty of questions like: Why won't AmeriCorps pay people a living wage? How do they expect people to live on that salary?

The answer is simple: it isn't a salary. If you are looking for cash, the AmeriTree is not one to bark-up. From the start of AmeriCorps*VISTA (the oldest of the programs), AmeriCorps has been a program of full- and part-time volunteers.

While there are many benefits to being in AmeriCorps (including the fact that it can jump-start your non-profit career), it is not intended to compensate people like they are full-time employees (even if they work as much or more). With the exception of Professional Corps programs like Teach for America, most AmeriCorps programs don't (and don't claim to) provide its volunteers with salaries.

Despite this, there are many benefits to serving as an AmeriCorps member, including:

• Professional experience in the non-profit sector
• Health benefits (and lots of people who do have salaries don't have these!)
• Loan forbearance or deferment
• Living allowance
• An Eli Segal Education Award
• Transportion and housing (in some cases)
• Professional development and training

So no, an AmeriCorps position isn't going to bring you in a full-time salary. But then again, it's not supposed to. At the end of the day, AmeriCorps is a volunteer program and is meant to give people an opportunity to serve and communities much needed support.

Photo Attribution: Medical Practice Trends