Nonprofit Career Round-Up: 9/30/2011

Welcome to the last day of September!  Hard to believe we're already in October, no?  If you are in any of the cities hosting an MLB playoff game today, enjoy!  Just don't let all the excitement distract you from finding a nonprofit job.  Like, say, one of these:

• Development Director at Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: The Connecticut Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, located in Middletown, CT, has immediate opening for an enthusiastic, fund-raising professional to oversee assigned events to ensure fundraising growth and strong financial and volunteer management.
• VP for Resource Development at The Asia Foundation (FEATURED JOB): The Asia Foundation (TAF) seeks a Vice President for Resource Development to work in its San Francisco, CA office. The Vice President for Resource Development is The Asia Foundation’s most senior development officer reporting directly to the President, responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day management of the Foundation’s entire private fundraising operations to secure funding from individuals, corporation, and foundations, for specific projects, its themes and programs (comprised of various projects), and unrestricted funding.
• Chief Operating Officer at Kingsley House: Kingsley House seeks candidates for the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer (COO). This is an exciting opportunity to join our team of highly talented professionals, leading our agency in fulfilling its mission. Reporting to the CEO, the COO will be responsible for the agency’s day-to-day internal operations.

Social Media Tips For Your Job Search

Social media is slowly but surely transforming the way we do things.  It allows us to keep in touch with old friends, stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends, and gives us unprecedented access to major public figures.  It has also made an impact on the job search by making it easier for job seekers to get in touch with potential networking contacts, and giving employers an inside look to who you really are.  Your online persona can play a big role in determining your employment, so you have to make sure you maintain them.

• Keep Your Profile Clean: You might think those pictures from your friend's bachelor party are hilarious, but you probably don't want them up when you are looking for a job.  If you even have the slightest feeling that what you are about to post could negatively impact your job candidacy, don't post it. 
• Be Active: Update your profile as often as you can.  Employers want to know that the person they are hiring is outgoing and is pro-active.  While you have to be careful about what you post, don't be shy abotu showing your character.  It's better to show a unique personality than to appear uninteresting.
• Use Multiple Social Media Sites: Don't limit yourself to just one of the sites out there.  The more place your brand is located, the better chance you will be seen by a recruiter.  As a reminder, here are the major social media pages: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, and About.me.
• Connect, Connect, Connect: Don't hesitate to connect with organizations you are looking to join.  This could mean friending them on Facebook, responding to their tweets on Twitter, or joining their group on LinkedIn. 
• Create An Online Portfolio: Online portfolios are a lot of work, but they are a great way to show an employer who you are.  Think of it like an enhanced resume: It will list your skills, past employers, and references.  The only difference is it can be much larger and be customized anyway you want.

Nonprofit Career Round-Up: 9/28/2011

We have a ton of new nonprofit jobs up on our career center today, including a new featured job.  Here are some of the highlights:

• Development Associate at VPIRG (FEATURED JOB): VPIRG is looking for a mission-driven individual with strong project management, relationship-building and writing skills to serve as our Development Associate. The right candidate understands the needs and activities of member-based advocacy organizations and enjoys strategizing how to garner support for our work.
• Major Gift Officer at Framingham State University: The Major Gift Officer will help create and initiate fundraising objectives for the University and will be responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating and closing major gifts of $25,000 and higher from alumni and friends. Additionally, this position will play a key role in the strategy and execution of future fundraising objectives.
• President/CEO at Mental Health Association of Rockland County: Reporting to the Board of Directors, the President/CEO will: Assist and provide staff support to the Board of Directors and committees in understanding their mission, charges and responsibilities. Design and implement an organizational structure and governance to accomplish MHA’s goals. Provide leadership and fiscal oversight of all areas of the agency. Be familiar with auditing and cash flow projections. Work with the Finance Committee to hire a competent Auditing Firm which will meet all of the regulatory requirements for funders and the IRS.

Job Follow Up Strategies

Let's get one thing straight: Following up on a job for which you applied is not optional.  You can do this on the phone or via e-mail, though the phone is thought to be more personal.  Whichever method you choose, it is imperative to do this so you can find out what stage of the resume-review process they are in. 

These are not easy calls to make.  Many job seekers understandably fear they will come off as desperate if they contact the employer about the position.  Here are some strategies to help make sure you handle these important communications in the correct way:

• Don't leave multiple voice messages: You might think you are doing the right thing by leaving multiple voice messages, but these can quickly become a major irritant to the person receiving them.  That's the last thing you want to accomplish.
• Vary your follow up routine: Are you constantly getting voice mail when you call?  Try calling at different times of day.  It varies from one organization to the other, but people will typically be at their desk in the early morning and late afternoon.  I can tell you one thing: Do NOT call at lunch time.
• Speak to an operator: Instead of leaving a message on voice mail, try speaking to an operator or secretary and leave a message with them.  People aren't always going to immediately check their voice mail, so having a secretary tell them you called can be a better strategy.

These three strategies can help turn a nerve wracking process into something more manageable.  Feel free to leave your own tips on job follow ups below.

NPT Jobs Recommends: 9/26/2011

You know it's officially the fall when you start to realize that it might not be the best idea to continue wearing summer clothes.  Fall is a great time for job hunting.  By this time, all those summer vacations are over, and organizations really start to look to hire.  Here are some great job search article to help you out:

• 'Best Interview Answers'-Since I wrote about job interview questions this morning, I thought it would make sense to link you to another article on that subject.  It's always good to have multiple opinions.
• 'How Do You Deal With Disappointment'-This article by DesignResumes.com lays out exactly what you need to do to get over the disappointment of a job rejection.  The key takeaway? Make sure you have a plan.
• 'Need a Job?  Mind Your Manners!'-When it comes to job interviews or networking events, making the first impression is half the battle.  ResumeBear reminds job seekers to make sure they practice good manners when dealing with potential employers or network contacts.

Nonprofit Career Round-Up: 9/23/2011

• Senior Sales Representative at Interactive Systems, Inc: Interactive Systems Inc. (ISI) is seeking a Senior level Sales Representative to help grow sales in the Washington D.C., Metro area. As a Senior Sales Representative, you will be responsible for selling Fundraising/Membership Management Software Solutions to a wide variety of organizations such as: Charitable Organizations, Social Service Organizations, Foundations, Museums and Cultural Organizations, Trade and Business Associations, Professional Societies, Regulatory Bodies, Civil and Social Associations, Unions and more.
• Manager, Online Marketing at American Humane Association: Responsible for organizing, implementing and managing a comprehensive Interactive Media-based program of soliciting gifts electronically (online and through emerging technologies such as mobile marketing or social media). Duties range from broad-based website driven initiatives to customized approaches for major gift prospects. The Manager, Online Communications and ePhilanthropy position is charged with increasing online and mobile donations.
• Development Assistant Director at Washington State University Foundation: Development Assistant Director/Regional Major Gift Officer, Washington State University. Positions assigned to this class serve as the primary fund raisers for $1,000-$25,000 donors as well as major gift donors and are responsible for establishing the goals and objectives in the assigned region in conjunction with the Director of the Regional program. Responsible for increasing the level of support for the University from individuals, corporations, and foundations, the incumbent will drive the regional fundraising efforts in California, New York, and other areas as assigned.

Finding Your Nonprofit Job

You have your resume polished and ready to go and your cover letter prepared: It's now time to start submitting your job application to nonprofit organizations. There are plenty of job boards out there, but I recommend checking out NPT's job board: The Nonprofit Jobseeker.  Not only is it a great source for quality jobs in the nonprofit sector, it's also totally free to sign up.

Once you get signed up, you should be sure to narrow your search. If you search for all the nonprofit jobs out there, you are going to be overwhelmed.  You should be sure to use job search filters, specify the type of position you want, and (most importantly) what level of work experience you have. This is key, because you want to make sure you are qualified for the jobs for which you are applying.

Other things to keep in mind while you browse not-for-profit jobs:

-Don't just skim job descriptions; read them carefully!
-Don't hold out for your dream job! In these tough times, it's unlikely you will get the job you truly want on your first attempt. Don't think of it as settling; think of it as the first step to obtaining the job of your dreams.
-Don't just use job boards: Also attend networking events to help your chances!

Nonprofit Career Round-Up: 9/22/2011

Here are today's top nonprofit jobs:

• Assistant Director, IT Division at American Veterinary Medical Association: This position will assist the Division Director in the planning, and administration of division functions including management of the data systems environment, data management activities and information flow, and oversight for the development of new applications, systems and services.
• Chief Financial Officer at Wolverine Human Services (FEATURED JOB):  The individual selected for this position will possess not only highly developed technical accounting skills, but also the ability to communicate financial information in strategically relevant and broadly understandable terms. The position's main responsibilities include, but are not limited to, directing and overseeing all financial and accounting functions in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and best practices for non-profit management...
• Program Director at Nevada Volunteers: The Program Officer is responsible for the programmatic and financial development, implementation, management, evaluation and compliance of the AmeriCorps*State portfolio. As a member of the senior management team, the Program Officer assists in strategic planning and problem solving. The Program Officer works within the guidelines, policies and mission of the organization and will be accountable and responsible for specific projects as assigned.

Cover Letter Tips: Show That You Are The Best Candidate

Cover letter writing is a fine art.  If you don't give enough detail, you can risk coming off as a weak candidate; give too much, and you might come across as too wordy.  Finding the correct balance to strike can be difficult when you are trying to prove that you are the best candidate for the job.  Everyone says they have the goods, but how do you set yourself apart from the masses?

• Don't be shy about showing off your knowledge.  Cover letters are meant to demonstrate your qualifications for a job, so you shouldn't be worried about coming off as bragging. 
• Provide a short anecdote that demonstrates your skills.  This should be near the beginning of your cover letter.
• Use the research you have done on the organization to show you are committed to them.  For example, if the nonprofit in question received an award for having a great workplace environment, you should mention that was something that attracted you to the job.
• Describe how your skills would help the organization.  If you feel comfortable doing so, you could list something specific you would do to make them better.  If you were applying for a job as a webmaster, for instance, you could point to a section of the site that you think you could help improve.

Interested in learning more cover letter tips?  I have written other posts like this, so take a look around the blog to find out more about this very important job search topic.

Nonprofit Career Round-Up: 9/20/2011

Check out this great post by Kerry Hannon of Forbes.  It has great tips on how to break into the nonprofit sector.  It should definitely give you a leg up on some of these nonprofit jobs we have recently listed on our site:

• Senior Policy Representative at NARAL: Under the supervision of the director, this position helps represent and advance NARAL’s policy views and goals with various constituencies.
• Cause Marketing Manager at United Way Worldwide: As a Communications, Cause Marketing Manager for Global Corporate Leadership (GCL), you will report to the Investor Relations, GCL Communications Director and provide communication support to the GCL team as well as GCL companies and local United Ways.
• Executive Director at University Settlement: The Executive Director, in conjunction with the Board of Directors is responsible for all aspects of University Settlement, Inc. and is accountable to the Board of Directors. The Executive Director establishes communications and reinforces the overall mission, values, strategies and goals of the organization.

Nonprofit Career Round-Up: 9/19/2011

Here are today's top nonprofit jobs.  Happy Monday!

• Senior Writer/Editor at American Thoratic Society: The senior writer/editor is responsible for a broad range of writing/editing, including science, feature, marketing, social media and Web writing. The most important responsibility is promoting to the media and to the Society’s members the important scientific findings presented in the Society’s journals and its International Conference.
• President and CEO at Binder Park Zoo: Binder Park Zoo seeks an energetic, visionary and resourceful leader who will continue the success of our zoo in engaging residents and visitors in caring about nature, as well as advancing the zoo forward in its current strategic plan and future exhibits. The ideal candidate would be experienced in leading a qualified team of zoo staff and engaging with a committed Board to provide a quality experience for visitors, and ensure solid financial, business, educational and marketing practices while conforming to our AZA accreditation and best practices.
• Senior Accountant at Blandin Foundation: This position is responsible for assisting the Director of Finance in the coordination and general accounting function and operation and maintenance of the Foundation’s comprehensive financial accounting and reporting system. Performs advanced technical and administrative accounting work in maintaining the accuracy of the general ledger and accounting systems of the Foundation.

Nonprofit Career Round-Up: 9/16/2011

The new issue of The NonProfit Times was just released today, and it contained an article job seekers might find interesting.  It looks into the criteria that nonprofit recruiters are looking for when they look to hire new employees.  Specifically, the article looks at the executive search process.  It seems recruiters like to see their potential executives have at least 2 to 3 years of experience, among other qualifications.  They also like to see their involvement on social media, particularly with LinkedIn.  It's a very interesting read, so check it out when you have the chance.  After you do that, you can take a look at today's top nonprofit jobs:

• Senior Accountant at Blandin Foundation: This position is responsible for assisting the Director of Finance in the coordination and general accounting function and operation and maintenance of the Foundation’s comprehensive financial accounting and reporting system. Performs advanced technical and administrative accounting work in maintaining the accuracy of the general ledger and accounting systems of the Foundation. Position also assists human resources, benefits administration, and grants management functions.
• Chief Financial Officer at Wolverine Human Services (FEATURED JOB!): The individual selected for this position will possess not only highly developed technical accounting skills, but also the ability to communicate financial information in strategically relevant and broadly understandable terms.
• Chief Operating Officer at The Walters Museum: The Walters Art Museum, an encyclopedic museum located in Baltimore’s historic Mount Vernon Square, seeks a dynamic, seasoned, and team-oriented professional to serve as Chief Operating Officer. The Walters presents a rich and varied schedule of special exhibitions and programs for the public, while offering free admission to its renowned permanent collection.

Re-Post: Job Interview Questions: What To Ask and What No to Ask

At the end of most interviews, the hiring manager will ask if you have any questions about the position. Even if the interviewer was as clear as they could be on the position, it is a good idea to have some interview questions prepared. It shows initiative and it allows you to gather more information that you otherwise might not have known. Your questions should be phrased in a way to get the most info out of the interviewer; in other words, you should avoid asking things that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." Coming up with these great job interview questions can be hard, so here are some examples to help you along:

• "How do you see this position developing in the future?" -This is a great question to ask because it will allow you to find out whether there could be any opportunity for growth. Nobody wants to be stuck in a career with no potential for growth, so it's important to get any information you can.
• "How would you describe your employees and the atmosphere here?"- No hiring manager would ever tell you anything bad about their company, but that is not the goal with this question. Many companies often talk about finding the "perfect fit" for their organization, so this question can help you find out what unique qualities you could bring to the table.
• "What would you say are the biggest challenges facing your company today?"- This question gives you the opportunity to present yourself as a solution for whatever needs the organization might have.
• "What would you say is a typical week working in this position?"- You should already know what the job entails, but you can get an even better idea of what your work week will be like by asking this question. It will also allow you be well prepared for your responsibilities should you get the job.

On the flip-side, here are some questions you should avoid:

• "If I get the job, can I adjust my schedule so I can attend [insert activity here]?"- This is a big no-no. There's no better way to turn off a potential employer than to ask for time off before you even begin working. If it's something really important (like a funeral, family gathering, etc), you can figure out those details when you get the position. It may seem polite to mention this in advance, but the interview is really not the place to bring up this subject.
• "What does your organization do?"- There are actually reasons you might ask this besides not doing research in advance. For instance, the company description may not be too clear. Regardless of your intentions, this question will still make it seem like you didn't do any research into the organization.
• "When can I take vacation time?"- Similar to the first question I mentioned, this is a subject you should avoid until you actually get a job offer. It will also make you seem too eager to take time off.
• "I have another job offer that is willing to pay me more. Can you match that?"- This is just an inappropriate question to ask, even if it is true. What is salary negotiation to one person is obnoxious to another. Besides, salary negotiations should only take place after you have an actual offer.

Site Spotlight: Nonprofit Jobs

Cross-posted from The NonProfit Times Blog

The NonProfit Times has been serving our readers for years, but news is not the only thing we are interested in providing. That's why we set up a career center dedicated to giving the public a way to find quality nonprofit jobs. The site is called The Nonprofit Jobseeker, and it's completely free for job seekers to use. All you have to do is create an account and you can begin browsing jobs. It also has a section that contains career advice articles.

Is your nonprofit organization hiring? For a price determined by the length of time you want your job posted, you can put your open positions on the Nonprofit Jobseeker. We also have hiring tips that will help you make good decisions when it comes to interviewing new employees, retention, and other human resources topics.

Whether you are a job seeker or an employer, the Nonprofit Jobseeker has a lot to offer. Check it out today!

Nonprofit Career Round-Up: 9/14/2011

Just a heads up: The new issue of The NonProfit Times will be released tomorrow.  Check the site sometime in the morning to see what's in it.

And now, today's top nonprofit jobs:

• Fundraising Professional at Cheetah Conservation Fund:  CCF is seeking an energetic and innovative fundraising professional to join us in our Alexandria, VA headquarters office. The selected fundraising professional will be responsible for management of all activities relevant to the daily and long-term fundraising goals and strategies of CCF in the United States and will spearhead development efforts and planning as CCF continues to grow.
• PT Case Manager in Ocean County, NJ:  •Performs intake interview for new clients •Assess special needs and/or services for each family; develop and manage case plan; begin case plan within the first month of residency •Establish an appropriate goal and education placement for each family; refer each client based on need for psychological, medical, and/or social services needs •Provide weekly sessions with each client and coordinate daily schedules and outside supportive services
• Development Director at Technology Access Foundation: TAF seeks a passionate, innovative, self-starter who possesses and demonstrates a deep-seeded commitment to the organization’s mission coupled with the drive to help shape the future of the organization. The Development Director will build and manage a results-oriented, effective fund development infrastructure to support all fundraising and stewardship activities for TAF, particularly in the pursuit of major donors.

Professional E-Mail Writing

Where would we be without e-mail?  Things that used to take days to be sent can now get out in a matter of seconds.  E-mail is an especially useful tool when it comes to the job search.  Whether you are sending a following up on a job application or sending a message to a networking contact, this technology makes things a lot easier for job seekers.  This doesn't mean it's without its perils.  If you don't know the basics of professional e-mail writing, you could end up with some big problems.

Abbreviations and so-called "text-speak" have become a huge part of our society.  Why say "you" when you can simply type "u?"  It's perfectly fine to use this lingo when e-mailing friends or family, but it should have no part in professional e-mails.  That seems like a no-brainer but you'd be surprised how many job seekers don't follow this rule.  Just check out this example from a job seeker posted by About.com:

i would like to put an ap in are u able to fax me a ap i didnt do up a resume yet i am working on it u think we could work somthing out thank you!

Yikes.  Besides the obvious punctuation and grammar errors, note that this person is using an abbreviation for the word "application."  Just because something is obvious to you doesn't mean it will be obvious to your reader.  It shouldn't take more than a second for the reader to understand what you are trying to say. 

When you are e-mailing about something as important as job, there simply is no excuse for there to be errors of any kind.  Have someone else read your e-mail before you send it out.  The best way to make sure your writing is error free is to have an outside party look it over.  If it passes the smell test with that person, you should be good to go.

Nonprofit Career Round-Up: 9/13/2011

Can you imagine how hard the job search would be without e-mail?  I plan to touch on the subject of professional e-mail writing tomorrow.  In particular, I will write about how best to write e-mails to both employers and network contacts.  I think this will be a very helpful post for job seekers, so stay tuned for that.  In the mean time, here are today's top nonprofit jobs:

• Senior Planned Giving Officer at The Wilderness Society: The Wilderness Society seeks an experienced Senior Planned Giving Officer to join a long-established Planned Giving program within the Membership and Development Department. This is a wonderful opportunity for a professional fundraiser to join a dedicated team at a premier conservation organization based in the Washington, DC, headquarters office.
• Program Director at Nevada Volunteers: The Program Officer is responsible for the programmatic and financial development, implementation, management, evaluation and compliance of the AmeriCorps*State portfolio. As a member of the senior management team, the Program Officer assists in strategic planning and problem solving. The Program Officer works within the guidelines, policies and mission of the organization and will be accountable and responsible for specific projects as assigned. The position will require flexibility regarding travel to each AmeriCorps programs and for other business purposes.
• Health Care Center Director at Community Healthcare Network: We are seeking an experienced, highly-motivated, and creative individual with demonstrated excellent analytical skills, and a strong customer service orientation to serve our customers including patients, caregivers, employees, candidates, vendors, and members of the community as a Center Director for our Bronx Health Center.

Nonprofit Career Round-Up: 9/12/2011

Hope everyone had a good weekend.  It was certainly a sad one, with the 10th anniversary of 9/11 happening Sunday.  I felt that the cermonies and tributes were very well done, though it was a real shame that the First Responders were not invited to the Ground Zero ceremony.

Here are today's top nonprofit jobs, as we try and get back to a sense of normalcy after a difficult day.

• Special Events Manager at NARAL: The Special Events Manager, with direction and support from the Major Gifts and Events team, is responsible for the fundraising, marketing and execution of 3-5 large annual events including the Roe v. Wade Anniversary Luncheon, the Chicago and New York Power of Choice Events, and others. S/he will also oversee a suite of smaller house parties and cultivation events.
• Director of Development at Catholic Charities: This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in english, journalism, comm or a rel field, Master’s degree pref. 5+ yrs exp in development, with 3+ yrs supervision; proven ability to raise large funds in creative ways; excellent oral & written comm skills; strong editing skills; excellent organizational skills. Member Assoc of Fundraising Prof pref. Valid driver’s lic & Act 33/34 clearances required.
• Clinical Director at Community Works: We are looking for a collaborative leader who is forthright, flexible, authentic, professional, skilled, and has a great sense of humor. The ideal candidate should have budgetary and fiscal management experience, leadership ability to oversee staff and programs, ability to write and manage grants, develop and implement organizational policy, and ensure systems are efficient and effective.

Tips For Nonprofit Job Seekers

Inquiring minds want to know: What do you have to do to get a nonprofit job?  I've already gone over the kind of things you should be putting in a nonprofit resume.  There are other tips that job seekers should know if they want to land one of these highly sought after positions.

A common mistake that nonprofit job seekers make is believing they have to start over to get a job in the sector.  The thought goes that any for-profit experience you have is completely useless in the nonprofit sector.  That couldn't be further from the truth.  Nonprofits are run like businesses, meaning that your previous management experience is very valuable.  The worst thing you can do is approach a nonprofit career believing you need to start all over again.

This doesn't mean there aren't new skills you should learn.  Most colleges have courses you can take to earn an MA in nonprofit management, though this isn't entirely necessary, unless you want a high level nonprofit position.  If you don't have enough time for a Masters Degree, taking a few courses over the summer will help your chances.  Any additional training you can get on topics such as philanthropy and fundraising will give you a huge leg up on the competition.

Think I missed any points?  Feel free to add your tips below on how to get a nonprofit job.

Nonprofit Career Round-Up: 9/8/2011

Here are today's top nonprofit jobs:

• Development Associate at Goodspeed Musicals: Reporting to the Director of Development, the Development Associate supports the efforts of the entire development department in a variety of aspects as it cultivates, acquires, and stewards individual, corporate and foundation donors by: 1) managing and maintaining the department’s database and revenue and operating budgets; 2) researching prospects and maintaining prospect lists; 3) assisting with follow-up efforts on solicitation requests, including requests for gala support, major gifts and planned giving campaigns, annual corporate membership campaigns, sponsorship requests, and capital campaign requests; and 4) assisting with the planning and execution of all departmental special events, including donor cultivation events and annual gala (will require some weekend and evening work).
• Executive Director at American Diabetes Association: The Executive Director will be based out of our Springfield, IL office and will also oversee and provide senior-level staff oversight for the Greater Illinois Market including the management of staff and volunteers and the development and execution community-based fundraising and service programs. The Executive Director will report to the Associate Vice President, Mid Markets Division.

Nonprofit Career Round-Up: 9/7/2011

Just when the east coast thought it was done with heavy rain, the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee had to come along and ruin things for everybody.  The worst part is that many of the parts that were worst hit by Irene had to deal with more flooding.  Looks like things have calmed down weather-wise today, however.  Anyway, here are today's top nonprofit jobs:

• Associate Director, Marketing at American Diabetes Association: The successful candidate will bring knowledge of the market, possess the ability to expand ADA’s sphere of influence and have demonstrated success in: staff development and leadership; volunteer recruitment and development; strategic planning; special event fund raising; program development; individual giving and stewardship; and corporate development.
• Manager, Client Success at Blackbaud, Inc: The Manager, Client Success Team (MCST) brings a wealth of marketing and fundraising expertise to a key segment of Blackbaud customers. The MCST is responsible for bringing Blackbaud's best ideas, innovations, and capabilities to customers and driving greater business value.
• Campaign Coordinator at The New England Center For Children (FEATURED JOB): The Campaign Coordinator administers specialized development functions, such as managing databases, reporting financial data, tracking, acknowledging and reporting on contributions received, the development of mailing lists and supporting the Annual Fund and Campaign on an administrative level. This position is also responsible for helping to synchronize Campaign and Annual Programs so that mailings and events are most effectively scheduled.

Nonprofit Career Round-Up: 9/6/2011

Hope everyone had a fantastic Labor Day weekend.  Please read my post on how to get back into the job search routine after a vacation, if you haven't already.  I hope you will find it useful as you recover from the post-vacation blues.  Here are today's top nonprofit jobs to help you get back into the flow of things:

• Chief Program Officer at AIDS Foundation of Chicago: The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) is seeking a motivated, organized, and detail-oriented person to serve as its Chief Program Officer. With overarching leadership responsibilities for all AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) programs and services, the Chief Program Officer will manage program development, budgeting, planning, implementation and priority setting.
• Executive Director at SeaView Community Services: SeaView Community Services is seeking an Executive Director to provide leadership and oversight of all programs and is responsible for the overall performance of the organization. Key responsibilities include the management of a $3M+ budget and 50 employees. Must assure compliance with criteria established by granting, licensing and certification agencies.
• Manager of Partnership Development at Pharmacy Technician Certification Board: This position develops and maintains relationships with employers and educators of pharmacy technicians; creates and standardizes materials and infrastructure to develop new partnerships and maintain current ones; and coordinates activities with the Professional Affairs, Certification, and Recertification divisions to ensure effective marketing and fulfillment mechanisms for all employer and educator stakeholder accounts.

4 Job Search Habits You Need To Get Into

The latest employment numbers painted a grim picture for the economy.  The U.S. added no new jobs in August, creating the expected panic among job seekers.  There will probably be many people who think they should not even bother looking for work.  This is the last thing you should be doing.  Instead of feeling down about the poor economy, here are some job search habits you should take up:

• Look for companies, not just jobs.  Looking just for the ideal job leads to an unfocused job search.  Research the five nonprofits you most want to work for, and see if you can find out if they are hiring.
• Constantly update your online presence.  Always keep your Internet presence active and up-to-date.  This includes removing anything from your Facebook or Twitter accounts that might negatively impact your career hopes.
• Apply only for jobs you are qualified for.  There's a school of thought that you should apply to any job you are interested for, even if you are over or under qualified.  This couldn't be further from the truth.  The chance that you will be considered for jobs like these are very slim, so don't waste your time.
• Keep a positive outlook.  This is easier said than done, but it can make all the difference in the work.  Approaching any kind of work with a negative attitude only ensures that you won't get the most out of it.  You should be realistic about what you can accomplish, but you shouldn't assume you are going to fail.

NPT Jobs Recommends: 9/1/2011

I completely forgot that next Monday is Labor Day.  Since the office will be closed that day, there will be no blogging then.  Just a heads up.  I also wanted to let you know that The NonProfit Times just released their September 1st issue.  It focused on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.  Check it out when you get a chance.

• 'Coming Back With Creative Questions at the End of an Interview'-Not sure what questions to ask at the end of a job interview?  Jessica Hernandez of GreatResumesFast has some good suggestions for you.
• 'The Evolution of Recruiting'-ResumeBear gives a very helpful breakdown of how employee recruiting has changed over the years.  This is a great article for both employers and job seekers.
• 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People'-Are you "highly effective" in your job search? 

Making An Accomplishment Resume

The resume might be one of the most misunderstood aspects of the job search.  Too many job seekers make the mistake of listing what they did at a previous job rather than what they accomplished.  If you don't say how your work impacted your previous company, how will an employer know why your work was important?  Here are two resume examples I have written: One would be in a standard resume, the other is an accomplishment resume:

Example 1:

9/09-10/10: Social Media Assistant at Company X: Wrote blog posts for a start up marketing firm, updated Facebook and Twitter pages.

See how this example only tells what job was?  A potential employer will need to know much more than this if they are going to be interested in hiring you.

Example 2:

9/09-10/10: Social Media Assistant at Company X: Wrote blog posts that helped drive traffic to our website.  These posts helped generate 50,000 new pageviews per month.  Before these posts, our page views were at around 20,000 per month.  Transformed our previously empty Facebook and Twitter pages to active social media hubs.

This is a much more useful description for an employer.  It gives specific stats that help them understand how the blog posts helped the company the applicant worked for.  That is why an accomplishment-based resume is much more useful for your purposes: It gives the employer a reason to hire you.