4 Space-Wasting Resume Items

Resume editing is a tiresome task but it has to be done if you want to have the best chance of being noticed by employers. Much of this process involves tweaking text but it also involves taking out unnecessary items that ultimately waste valuable space.

It's never easy to determine what is necessary include in a resume. There are a lot of factors that go into this decision: Does it grab the hiring manager's attention? Is it formatted in a way that is pleasing to the eye? Some job seekers think it's best to include too much information rather than too little but, if all of that content is little more than fluff, your application could end up in the rejection pile very quickly.

Next time you are cleaning up your resume, make sure to exclude these four items:

• Objective Statement: Employers already know that you are looking for a job so there's no need to include an objective statement in your resume.
• "References Available Upon Request:" It's already expected that you will provide references if an employer asks for them.
• Irrelevant Information: Don't waste space in your resume with information that is not relevant to the job in question. For instance, if you are applying for a fundraising manager position, you shouldn't list a previous job you had as a baker.
• Personal Information: Employers do not need to know what you look like or what you like to do in your spare time. For the purposes of selecting a new employee, they primarily want to know what you can do to help them. 

Featured Nonprofit Job: Area Director

Are you a job seeker living in the Southeast of Florida who is looking for a director-level position? The American Lung Association (ALA) has posted a nonprofit job with us that will fit both of those needs. Read on for more details.

The Ft. Lauderdale-based organization is looking to hire an Area Director. This position will be responsible for managing staff, recruiting and managing volunteers, including ones to serve on the Area Leadership Board, developing and overseeing area annual budget, implementing successful program and fundraising campaigns and  developing relationships and cultivating major media contacts for positive press coverage of the Association.

ALA seeks candidates who have a Bachelor's Degree and at least five years experience in nonprofit special event fundraising, community outreach, and committee development. Experience in corporate development, third party fundraising and nonprofit fundraising software is a plus, along with a fluency in Spanish.

Head to the NPT Jobs Career Center to get more information on this job and to apply.

Featured Nonprofit Job: VP of Sales and Business Development

Are you looking for an executive-level job and also have a passion for working on behalf of children? If this describes you, our newest featured nonprofit job might be a good fit for you.

Junior Achievement in Tempe, Az., is looking to hire a VP of Sales and Business Development. The chosen candidate will be articulate and socially-poised, have a proven track record of personally and directly generating significant new sources of  revenue through business partnerships, and produce results of $2MM+ through the efforts and cooperation of a team.

One of the main responsibilities of this job is to meet the organization's financial goals. To give you a better idea of what is expected, here is what Junior Achievement expects to be accomplished in the first six months of employment:

• Personally secure 7 new business partners/donors at the $10,000+ level.
• Drive increase of team revenue by 10%.
• Build a cohesive team with 100% retention of high-performers.
• Develop/implement Board of Directors’ campaign to introduce 20 new businesses (100+ employees) to the organization.

To see the full list of goals and additional requirements, head to the NPT Jobs Career Center.

How To Manage Your Staff As If They Are Donors

This article first appeared in today's edition of NPT Weekly. Sign up for this and our other eNewsletters on our website.

Nonprofit managers have to handle both internal obligations — staff — and external obligations — donors. The two groups are generally seen as different, maybe even mutually exclusive.

During the AFP 50^th International Conference on Fundraising, however, William F. Bartolini, associate vice president for development at The George Washington University, floated the idea of managing staff as if they were donors, utilizing what nonprofits know about donors to help understand, motivate and mentor staff.
So, what are the marks of donor loyalty? Bartolini identified four:

• Identification. Perceiving one’s identity as part of an organization or group. Higher levels of participation have been found to translate to higher levels of loyalty.
• Satisfaction. Donors who have indicated satisfaction with the quality of service provided were twice as likely to offer an additional gift than those less satisfied.
• Trust. Trust is demonstrated by communicating impact, honoring promises, exhibiting good judgment, making clear the organization’s values, ensuring that communications match donor expectations, engaging in two-way communication and excellence in customer service.
• Commitment. There is a promise for the future, whereas identification is an evaluation of past experience.  Active commitment involves passion for the cause and usually involves giving to only a small number of organizations. Passive commitment means a belief in the organization or cause but not a passionate belief in it.

Featured Nonprofit Job: President At Gilda's Club Grand Rapids

Gilda's Club Grand Rapids is looking to hire a new President to lead their organization? Interested? Read on for more details on this nonprofit job.

The chosen candidate will be primarily responsible for maintaining the integrity of the mission of Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids and for ensuring that the organization is working toward achievement of the ENDS of the organization as outlined in the Board Governance Policies.

The President is also chiefly responsible for meeting the organization’s critical issues, goals and strategies as established by the Board of Directors.  He/she shall accomplish this through the annual submission of objectives by which to meet the aforementioned issues, goals, and strategies.

As a high-level executive position, this job requires applicants have strong credentials. These include, but are not limited to:

• Twelve to fifteen years of strategic/executive/organizational leadership experience;
• Bachelor’s degree, with preferred academic focus in the areas of public or non-profit administration and management, business, health/social sciences, or education;
• Proven track record in working with non-profit Boards and in raising significant funds or fund development background;
•  Proven experience in the effective leadership of an organization and efficient accomplishment of outcomes; building business, community and donor relationships;
• Passion for the mission of emotional health and for supporting families living with cancer and grief;
• Computer literate, especially with (donor) databases and accounting software; and,
• Ability to demonstrate deep community and business connections within the west Michigan community, along with experience and/or willingness to make funding requests.

You can learn more about this job, including how to apply, by visiting the NPT Jobs Career Center.

10 Roadblocks To Your Career

The lagging job market might seem like the biggest obstacle to your career. In reality, there are many other roadblocks that could be holding you back in your quest for a nonprofit job.

During Nonprofit Technology Network's (NTEN) recent Nonprofit Technology Conference, James Weinberg, founder and CEO of Commongood Careers, said that identifying the potential roadblocks to your career can help you plan alternate routes.

Here are some of the obstacles Weinberg said you are most likely to encounter:

• Planning. You need to identify your goals.
• Confidence. You know those goals you just made? Triple it, according to Weinberg. It’s still possible.
• Skills. You can acquire skills by education or learn by experience.
• Experience. This can be done on-the-job or outside of work.
• Family. Your job shouldn’t be your whole life. Strike a balance that works for you.
• Boss. Tell your boss if you don’t feel you are being cultivated as an employee. If that doesn’t work, try to find another job. It will be the boss’s loss in the long run.
• Money. Education is expensive.
• Networks. Look for quality and quantity. Networks will help you get where you need to be.
• Resolve. Try to keep advancing but stay flexible, according to Weinberg.
• Other. Analyze what you think is holding you back.

Featured Nonprofit Job: Web Developer

It's virtually impossible to have a successful nonprofit or business these days without a robust website. That's why organizations are constantly on the look out for a quality webmaster, as is the case with our newest featured nonprofit job.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) in Santa Monica, Calif., is looking to hire a Web Developer to oversee the upkeep and maintenance of all PCF online properties, especially their main website (pcf.org). The chosen candidate will also be responsible for the development, maintenance and tracking of all online communications, electronic communications to PCF constituents, including donors and researchers, PCF’s online store platform, and the development of online newsletters and special email campaigns.

Other major responsibilities of this position include:

• Manage and assess all web properties and content and develop new content and graphics on an on-going basis;
• Develop and deploy all e-communications, including multiple monthly newsletters and online giving appeals;
• Research and implement SEO best practices to drive traffic to pcf.org and other pcf-related websites;
• Manage PCF’s PPC (pay-per-click) campaign;
• Maintain all PCF online giving forms and portals;
• Schedule and integrate web-based communications for PCF’s various departments;
• Track and create detailed reports of web and email statistics;
• Manage key vendors;
• Support social media activities; and,
• Update the communications team on online activities on a regular basis.

Interested in this job? Head to the NPT Jobs Career Center for more information, including qualifications and application instructions.

4 Cover Letter Dos And Don'ts

Job seekers tend to put most of their energy into crafting a resume when applying for a nonprofit job. While this is an important part of a job application, just as important is making sure you have a unique cover letter to go along with it.

Whereas a resume gives an employer only the basic information, a cover letter is your first opportunity to give a detailed explanation of why you would be a good fit for the job. Neglecting to include one or putting minimal effort into its writing will likely leave you in an employer's rejection pile. 

What are the best ways to go about crafting an application cover letter? Here are four dos (and don'ts) that will help you get started:

• DO personalize your letter. This means including the name of the hiring manager and including information relevant to the job for which you are applying. You wouldn't like it if you received a message that read as if it were copied and pasted, and the employer will not like that either.
• DO specifically address the advertised job. Show the organization that you paid close attention to their job description by detailing how your skills fit the requirements of the position. For example, if the nonprofit is hiring a development director, include anecdotes that detail your fundraising experience.
• DON'T take too long to get to the point. Hiring managers receive countless applications every day and likely don't have the time to read a wordy cover letter. You should directly mention the job you are applying for in the first paragraph and the letter itself should be no more than three paragraphs.
• DON'T end on a passive note. Instead of ending your letter with a statement like "I look forward to your response," write something along the lines of "I will contact you in a few days to speak further about my credentials."

Featured Nonprofit Job: Director Of Institutional Advancement

Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. is looking to hire a Director of Institutional Advancement. Interested? Read on to find out more about this latest featured nonprofit job.

The chosen candidate for this position will be responsible for raising funds through the Dutchess Community College Foundation in order to provide enhanced excellence in education for the College. The Director will report directly to the College's President and gives direction to the Board of Directors.

Other key responsibilities include:

• Provides strategic direction and leadership for the resource development activities of the College and the Foundation.
• Develops both annual campaign goals and long-range strategic plans for the Foundation in collaboration with the College and Foundation Board.
• Develops appropriate communication systems for various constituencies to promote the Foundation and its achievements in order to meet the Foundation's financial objectives.
• Works closely with the College's public relations department to enhance the image of the College in both the local community and within the SUNY system.
• Manages special projects and other duties as assigned by the President.

Applicants for this job should have a BA/BS in a related field (though a Master's degree is preferred), in addition to at least five years of development experience. The successful candidate will also have a full understanding of the community college mission and the ability to articulate its value and role. Qualified candidates must demonstrate a proven track record in fundraising, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to process leadership, teamwork, and consensus decision-making.

You can read more about the Director of Institutional Advancement position by visiting the NPT Jobs Career Center.

8 Nonprofit Cover Letter Mistakes

If there's one thing most job seekers struggle with, it's writing a cover letter. Crafting these documents can be extremely monotonous but they are also extremely important as they are usually the first exposure a nonprofit has to you.

Unless the employer requests your cover letter as an attachment, it will be the first document they read in your job application. This means you need to do everything in your power to make a great first impression; you  need to make the hiring manager want to read more. That's why it's imperative to avoid application-killing mistakes such as the ones listed below:

• Mistake 1 -- Overusing the First Person: Minimize the use of first person words such as "I" or "me" at the beginning of sentences. You are supposed to be explaining on how you meet the organization's needs, not telling your life story.
• Mistake 2 -- Having a Stale Opening: The opening of a cover letter can be the most difficult part in the writing process. You want to catch the reader's interest but you don't want to appear as if you are trying too hard either. Avoid an opening like this -- "I am extremely interested in your Executive Director position" -- and write something like this -- "Your need for an Executive Director exactly matches my more than five years of experience running one of the top nonprofits in the country."
• Mistake 3 -- Going on Too Long: A cover letter longer than a page risks putting the reader to sleep. In fact, even a page is pushing the limits.
• Mistake 4 -- Parroting Your Resume: Use your letter to tell a brief story that explains your qualifications rather than just regurgitating information that is already in your resume.
• Mistake 5 -- Not Referencing the Job: Make sure you mention which job for which you are applying. Organizations often advertise multiple positions, so you can't assume they know which one you want.
• Mistake 6 -- Passive Closing: Promise to follow-up within a few days to answer any preliminary questions the hiring manager might have instead of hoping he will get back to you.
• Mistake 7 -- Not Saying "Thanks:" Always end your cover letter by thanking the reader for his time and consideration.
• Mistake 8 -- Forgetting to Identify Yourself: Whether it's in the introduction or at the end, you need to identify who you are.

5 Things Your Networking Contacts Should Know

Whether it is in-person or online, networking for a job can be a very overwhelming task. Think about it: You're talking to a bunch of people you probably don't know very well with hundreds of thoughts running through your head, all while trying to make the best impression possible.

No wonder so many job seekers prefer to avoid the process altogether.

Networking might not be the most enjoyable thing in the world but it's also one of the most important. To paraphrase a popular saying, it's not what you know that's most important, it's who you know. So the next time you turn down an invite to a network event or avoid LinkedIn like the plague, take a step back and realize the opportunities you are missing. Then, take a deep breath and boldly go into the fray.

The most important part of networking is making sure you are sharing the right information. Here are five things you absolutely must share with your contacts:

• Your contact information and a short statement describing your skills (your "elevator pitch").
• An anecdote that explains why you are a master in your particular field.
• Any projects you on which you are currently working.
• An interest in their field of work. Remember, networking can't be a one-way street.
• Any other information that will help you stand out from the crowd.

Featured Nonprofit Job: Development Director -- Project MOST

Want to work at a nonprofit that helps the youth of America? Project MOST is looking to hire a Development Director. Read on for more details on this featured nonprofit job.

The chosen candidate for this position will help the East Hampton, N.Y.-based organization with creating an annual appeal, event planning, major gift donor outreach, corporate sponsorships, and developing social media to promote mission of organization. Documented success in best practices of fundraising and/or work experience under an accomplished mentor is required.

Interested? Head to the NPT Jobs Career Center to apply for this job today!

Job Interview Dos And Don'ts

Getting a job interview can sometimes make you feel so excited that you would be excused for thinking the next step is a job offer. Unfortunately, your work has just begun.

As Bruce A. Hurwitz, vice president of New York City-based Joel H. Paul & Associates, Inc., explained at a recent Fundraising Day in New York, an interview is merely a step inside the door. You can get kicked out just as quickly as you got in if you put on a poor performance. In order to better prepare job seekers for the interview, Hurwitz made a list of things they should and should not do when preparing for the big day:

Do:

• Research the employer. You better have an answer if the interviewer asks, “So, what do you know about our company?” You don’t have to memorize the mission statement, but at least know key facts about the organization.
• Prepare for multiple interviews. Some employers want to know how you would fit in the organization as a whole.
• Dress professionally. Err on the side of conservative. Don’t wear perfume or aftershave. You want the interviewer to hear you, not smell you.
• Ask for business cards. That will remind you whom you spoke with and make it easier to follow up.
• Make eye contact. Be friendly without forcing chumminess.
• Immediately send a thank-you letter. The letter can get you or cost you the job.
• Be aware of what’s on the Internet about you.

Don't

• Be late.
• Bring coffee. Take care of your java fix before the interview.
• Speak ill of your previous or current employers.
• Bring up salary or benefits. If the employer does, be honest about what you’ve made and what you need to make.
• Be modest. This is your time to shine. Emphasize what you personally have done and what you’ve done in a team setting. Tell them how you would fix their problems.
• Bring notes. Prepare before hand for questions but try not to sound rehearsed.

Featured Nonprofit Job: Assistant Vice President Of Development

The Kennedy Krieger Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of children with various types of disabilities, is looking to hire an Assistant Vice President of Development. Interested? Read on for more details on this nonprofit job.

The role of the Assistant VP is to plan, develop and maintain a comprehensive private and public sector fundraising program, donor cultivation and stewardship program, and a $65 million capital campaign, which is currently in its "quiet phase." The chosen candidate will oversee a staff of 13 and will report to the Executive Vice President of External Relations.

The successful candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Successful development leadership experience, with emphasis on individual fundraising and special events;
• Experience with capital campaigns, major gifts, corporate/foundation giving, planned giving, volunteer management, and board development; proven ability to cultivate, solicit and close major gifts;
• Knowledgeable about the local and national philanthropic communities, particularly in healthcare, human services, and/or rehabilitation;
• Expert understanding of current and evolving trends and best practices in fundraising;
• Able to think strategically and create effective philanthropic support vehicles;
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate and inspire staff and volunteers; and,
• Genuine interest in the Kennedy Krieger mission.

Think you have what it takes to be an Assistant VP of Development? Head to the NPT Jobs Career Center for more information on the position, including application instructions.

Rex Foundation Announces Search For Executive Director

Robert Hunter once wrote in the Grateful Dead's song, "Truckin'," "what a long, strange trip it's been." Now that the Rex Foundation, which was founded by members of the Dead and other bands, is looking for a new executive director, you could say getting that job would be the ultimate trip.

Carolyn Garcia, wife of the late Jerry Garcia and a member of the Foundation's board, announced in a an e-mail today that current Executive Director Sandy Sohcot will be leaving after 12 years in the position. Garcia wrote that they are immediately beginning their search for a replacement.

"We have shared the joy for 28 years and look forward to finding a new partner to advance the work we are doing," wrote Garcia. "Our extended community is the best place to start our search; you know our work and our history."

According to the job description posted to the Foundation's website, the executive director will "have overall strategic and operational responsibility for" staff, programs, expansion, and execution of our mission with an emphasis on fundraising and grassroots grant making.

The Rex Foundation was founded in 1983 with a mission of providing community support to creative endeavors in the arts, sciences, and education. The Foundation occasionally holds benefit concerts, the first of which were held in the spring of 1984 at the Marin Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium. Since 1984 the Rex Foundation has granted $8.2 million to some 1,000 recipients.

So what do you say? Are you ready to ride Casey Jones all the way to this new career opportunity? Visit the Foundation's website for more details on this job.

Featured Nonprofit Job: International Fellowship Jobs

Looking for a high-level fundraising job at a nonprofit? Our latest featured position, from the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, presents a great opportunity.

The Chicago-based organization is looking to hire for multiple positions, including a Vice President of Personal Giving. This individual is responsible for utilizing fundraising best practices to ensure cost-effectiveness and growth of our personal giving fundraising programs and is responsible for growing income generated through these channels.

Other positions available at the organization include:

Outreach Director: The Outreach Director will educate various groups in The Fellowship’s mission, and consolidate existing Fellowship outreach, church, youth, and educational areas and resources into one cohesive function and team.

Vice President of Direct Response: The VP of Direct Response will provide strategic leadership and hands-on management of integrated direct response fundraising efforts that develop solid donor relationships.

Major Gifts Officer: The MGO will engage, cultivate, and solicit current and prospective major donors in the western region of the US (must reside in western US states).

Interested in these opportunities? Visit the NPT Jobs Career Center for more details, including application instructions.