The Power of the Overshare: How Saying Too Much Can Actually Help Your Career

by Rosetta Thurman

category: Networking

Published May 12, 2009 @ 09:43AM PT

I was on a date with this guy a few months ago, and he ended up telling me about an experience he'd had with one of his ex-girlfriends. He started talking, but then stopped himself midway through, saying sheepishly, "Oops, I think that might have been an overshare." I could tell he was embarrassed, so we moved on to other topics. I thought about it later, and came to the conclusion that although this particular instance was a dating situation, very often we also hold back what we say in professional settings. My date was obviously fearful he was saying too much. But he was probably more afraid of my reaction and what I would think of him because of what he told me.

Even though some conversations aren't necessarily appropriate for the workplace, sharing aspects of your personal life and experiences isn't always a bad thing. You can strengthen relationships with your peers and colleagues by establishing common bonds. We connect with each other by sharing similar experiences. What's appropriate just depends on who you're trying to build the relationship with and the context of the conversation. For instance, let's say your boss complains to you about a childcare issue, and you happen to have a child, too. That can be a point of commiseration where you both can share your parenting experiences and become closer colleagues.

In the nonprofit world, the ability to do our work in communities effectively depends on how well we relate to each other. It's much easier to do when we have personal relationships that help us understand each other.  That's how we build the trust that allows us to work better together. For example, I have a good relationship with a certain program officer that's much more open than my other connections with grantmakers simply because she and I both share a love for poetry. We've discussed our own creative processes and the kind of writers we admire, etc. This relationship has allowed me to have candid conversations about the foundation's work and obtain valuable information that's helped me in my fundraising. If you simply don't know how to start cultivating a particular relationship, just take Karl Staib's advice:

If all else fails, just invite a co-worker to lunch and get to know someone better.

Don't be afraid to show people who you really are as a person. If you don't, how else can your colleagues connect with you? If it will help you build better relationships with your fellow nonprofit leaders, it's worth it to tell people about your personal background, where you grew up, your favorite place to shop, or that cute thing your son did last week in kindergarten. You never know when saying "too much" can bring you closer to your career goals.

Photo credit: nebe

Why You Should Join the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network

by Rosetta Thurman

categories: Networking, Professional Development

Published May 15, 2009 @ 04:17AM PT

Are you looking for low-cost professional development and a place to network with peers your age in the nonprofit sector? If so, I encourage you to check out the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN)! YNPN is a national movement to promote an efficient, viable, and inclusive nonprofit sector that supports the growth, learning, and development of young professionals. YNPN engages and supports future nonprofit and community leaders through professional development, networking and social opportunities designed for young people involved in the nonprofit community.

You may have heard of YNPN through their 2007 report, Stepping Up or Stepping Out, an important study about leadership in the sector written from the point of view of young nonprofit professionals.

Most major cities have a YNPN chapter that you can plug into.  Find a chapter in your area and you'll be able to access:

• An e-mail list where members exchange information and referrals, learn about special events and workshops, post and receive job announcements, and share ideas on issues facing the sector
• A web site linking the nonprofit community to information and resources
• A wide range of career development workshops and panels for its members
• Peer mentoring and support groups
• Monthly networking social hours
• Advocacy events, surveys, and awards programs to connect the sector in general with early career professionals' needs

Over the past five years, YNPN has become the nation's premier organization for young nonprofit professionals to connect with like-minded peers. With 22 YNPN chapters representing nearly 15,000 young nonprofit professionals working in a variety of capacities, it's definitely something each one of you should be involved in.  The best part? For most chapters, YNPN membership is still FREE!

3 Strategies to Build Your Nonprofit Network the Old-Fashioned Way

by Rosetta Thurman

categories: Job Hunt Strategy, Networking

Published May 21, 2009 @ 04:30AM PT

You've heard this many times before. The key to getting your dream nonprofit job is to network, network, network. Well, that's because it's true.  You simply cannot restrict your job search to online job boards and email. Back in the day, before Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, nonprofit leaders actually made connections face to face most of the time. A phone call was more preferable to email, and it wasn't uncommon for hires to be made without a formal interview. These days, technology has made communication much less time-consuming, but the old-fashioned ways of networking still hold true. Most jobs (about 70-85%) are NOT advertised online. That means many nonprofit positions are still filled by someone who knows someone. If you're a young nonprofit professional just starting out, it can be a daunting process to advance your career when you don't know anyone. Here are 3 ways to build your network just like nonprofit leaders did in the olden days.

1. Join a Professional Association: The best thing about nonprofit associations is that they provide you with a ready-made network as soon as you pay your membership fee. Some of the membership dues can be a little pricey, so I suggest you join the ones that are relevant to you.  If you want to get into nonprofit fundraising, I recommend the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Want to work at a nonprofit association? Join ASAE & the Center for Association Leadership. Interested in philanthropy or working at a foundation? Check out Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy. And no matter what kind of nonprofit job you're looking for, you will always meet likeminded folks through the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network or your state nonprofit association.
   
2. Serve on a Committee: This follows from strategy #1 above. Most professional associations have committees that are made up of its members.  Volunteer to join the events or membership committee of the association that's the most relevant to your career goals. You will not only get to know your fellow association peeps better, but your face will be out there for all to see. The key is to build strong ties with those that might be able to help you get a job or advance your career in that particular field. You'll end up learning so much more about your peers and build your leadership skills in the process. A win/win/win for everyone.
3. Attend Nonprofit Conferences: Again, this can get a little pricey, but having the opportunity to meet hundreds of nonprofit professionals in one place is usually worth it. You will meet peers your age as well as experienced nonprofit leaders who could be your next boss. Top-notch annual conferences to attend include: Independent Sector, Craigslist Nonprofit Boot Camp, NTEN Nonprofit Technology Conference, and annual meetings held by your state nonprofit association. Please, whatever you do, don't forget your business cards!

What other networking strategies have worked for you as you start out in your nonprofit career?

Photo credit: Dyxie

If Google Can't Find You, You Don't Exist

by Rosetta Thurman

categories: Job Searching, Networking, Personal Branding

Published May 19, 2009 @ 06:08AM PT

Everyone thinks that young professionals have completely mastered the art of social media. The stereotype is that Generation Y is always online, and companies are eager to tap the tech savvy minds of the "Facebook Generation". I even took on that assumption during an interview I conducted for a new position my organization was hiring for. I asked the candidate, a recent grad in her early 20s, to share her experience using social media tools. She told me she knew how to use Ning, but didn't know much about Myspace, Facebook, or Twitter. I almost fell out of my chair. For shame! A Generation Y job seeker who didn't even have a Facebook profile? Where had she been living, under a rock with no access to wi-fi? For a job that involved communications and marketing, this was a big deficit in her knowledge. I was also a little miffed that I couldn't find out any additional information about her online.

The nonprofit field is getting more competitive for top jobs as more and more candidates apply for positions with impressive education and experience. Instead of spending a fortune to go back to school, young professionals need to make themselves stand out by developing a strong personal brand that potential employers can view online. Are employers Googling you? Assume that they are. And if they can't find you, you pretty much don't exist. Yes, you can use social media to expand your network and position yourself for your next nonprofit career opportunity. Here are a few ways to get ahead of the game.

Post Your Resume on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is THE place to make purely professional connections with your colleagues in the nonprofit field or even that great speaker you met at a conference. Sign up on www.linkedin.com and fill out a profile with your work experience and educational background. List your accomplishments and professional memberships. LinkedIn also allows other people to post recommendations of your work. There's no better way to market yourself than someone else writing a paragrah about how awesome you are! To see an example, you can view my LinkedIn profile here.

Professionalize Your Facebook Page
I know, you originally created your Facebook profile to keep up with your friends in college. But you've graduated now, and guess what? Your Facebook profile can be Googled. So make sure you remove all of those photos of you doing shots at the bar. All of them. (I know, it was fun. But it's time to let go of the memories. Or at least just get rid of the evidence.) I'm not saying not to be yourself, I'm just encouraging you to consider whether your future employer would want to know about that side of you. Fill in the "Info" section of your Facebook page listing your previous jobs and educational background. And upload a nice headshot of your smiling face that anyone would love to hire.

Start Blogging
Google loves blogs. Google loves blogs so much, they have a special blog search. If you have a blog with your real name listed on it, Google will find it. Sign up at Blogger or Wordpress to get a free blog set up and start writing about issues that you care about, preferably somewhat related to the nonprofit field. It showcases your writing skills, social media savvy, and utter brilliance to future employers. Check out this fabulous resource to get started: Bamboo Project Readers' Guide to Blogging for Personal Branding

What happens when you Google your name? If the answer is "nothing," you've got some work to do!

YNPN Wednesday: How to Build the Support System You Need to Thrive in the Nonprofit Sector

by Rosetta Thurman

categories: Networking, YNPN Wednesday

Published June 03, 2009 @ 03:26AM PT

Welcome to YNPN Wednesday, my weekly blog series highlighting stories and advice from members of Young Nonprofit Professionals Network chapters all over the country. Each week, I'm sharing an interview or guest post from a young nonprofit professional just like you! Today's post is from Allison Jones, a member of YNPN NYC. Check out her advice for connecting with your nonprofit peers after the jump.

About Allison: Allison Jones is a Brooklyn girl who left home at age 17 to attend Haverford College in suburbs of Philly. In college she was able to travel, connect, and learn from a variety of people and places that shaped her view of social justice. She lived in Philly for a year after college and moved back to NYC in June 2008. Allison is a blogger, entrepreneur, advocate, sister, daughter, and wanna be comedian. Allison is a blogger at Entry Level Living, Project Coordinator of Onlyup.org, and Director of Development and Marketing at St. James Elementary School.

Connecting with Your Peers:  Building the Support System You Need to Thrive in the Non-Profit Sector

by Allison Jones

As a young non-profit professional I have found it helpful to develop a strong support system of like-minded young people to share my aspirations, frustrations, and to grow with.  However, reaching out is not always easy, especially if you are living in a new city.  The resources and advice below can help you reach out so you can connect with your peers and develop your own support system.

Harness social media: Many of us use websites like Facebook and Myspace to keep in touch with friends.  However there are other websites and social media that allow you to both connect with people you know and expand your network.

• Start a blog: Through blogging you can share your experiences while connecting with others in the blogosphere.  Brazen Careerist syndicates over 300 bloggers under the age of 30 who live around the world and have meetups.  You can also meet fellow bloggers through groups like ChangeBloggers/ChangeMakers.
• Go to a Meetup: Meetup.com is a great place to look for clubs that meet regularly around a certain issue.  Just put in your zip code and your interest and a list of great opportunities to meet others pops up.  Or, if you don't see one that has what you are looking for, start your own!
• Get LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com is a professional networking site that allows you to connect with people in your field, join groups, and ask/answer career related questions.  You can bring your peers offline by inviting people out or going to events posted in groups.

Tap into your alumni network: Alumni chapters are a great way to meet people.  Not only will you have something in common but also you will be able to stay connected with your alma mater.  It is also a great way to highlight public service careers for current students.  Contact the alumni office of your college to see if there is an alumni chapter near you or if they would be willing to one.

Join a young professionals group: Many nonprofits have young professionals groups that allow young professionals with a variety of interests, talents, and backgrounds to come together and work for a great cause.  You can also look for a Young Nonprofit Professionals Network chapter in your city.  Each chapter is different, however they all provide workshops, happy hours, and a list-serv that provides general information about events/programs in the city that are of interest to young nonprofit professionals.

You can follow Allison on Twitter @ajlovesya.

Email me at rosetta@change.org or contact me on Twitter @rosettathurman if you're a YNPN member who'd like to be featured here. Also be sure to subscribe to this blog so you don't miss any updates!

You Should Always Be Looking for a New Nonprofit Job

by Rosetta Thurman

categories: Job Hunt Strategy, Networking

Published June 05, 2009 @ 10:13AM PT

Turn Your (Nonprofit) Swag On

by Rosetta Thurman

categories: Leadership, Networking, Personal Branding

Published June 08, 2009 @ 08:44AM PT

The hip hop music world is obsessed with swag these days. I had to look in the urban dictionary for its official definition, which states that "swag" is simply the way you present yourself. Every song lyric on the radio has some mention of the importance of having this kind of extreme confidence in yourself, otherwise known as "getting your swag on". One of the most popular songs out right now is a song called "Turn My Swag On" by Soulja Boy. I admit, I'm not one to listen to all the teenybopper music these days, but as I watched my 14-year old cousin dance to this song, I realized that there was a bigger message for all of us to learn.

How important is swag in the nonprofit world? It's priceless. Nonprofit organizations are just as seduced by high levels of confidence in potential employees as we are with the hip hop stars of today. When you're networking, interviewing, or even meeting with a potential partner for your organization, it's crucial that you exude as much confidence as possible, even if you really feel nervous inside. It's amazing to me how many candidates I've interviewed for jobs, where in our conversation I'm struggling to get the person to make eye contact with me instead of speaking down to the table, or their shoes.

If you have issues with self-confidence, here are a few ways to practice beefing it up:

• Smile. A lot. Smiling will always help to quell any nervousness you may have.
• Always give a firm handshake when you meet someone (preferably while smiling).
• Make frequent eye contact (preferably while smiling).
• Talk about your accomplishments.
• When someone compliments you, just say thank you. Not "oh, this old thing?" or "it was nothing". Take credit for being fabulous.

Nonprofits want the kind of employees who believe so highly in themeselves that they can bring others on board for the cause. They want the kind of leaders that aren't afraid to "turn their swag on". And, evidenced by the song's over 8 million hits on YouTube, the rest of the world does, too.