4 Necessary Traits For A Small Nonprofit

The idea of working for a small organization can be appealing for some job seekers. Smaller workplaces theoretically lead to a tighter-knit group of employees, which is great for morale, but that doesn't automatically mean it's the best type of work environment for you.

Working for a small nonprofit is a big change, especially if you have only worked for larger organizations in the past. Whereas large workplaces can sometimes allow you to slip into the background, your work will be front and center in a small organization.

You should make sure that you have the following four traits before applying to a small nonprofit:

• Self-Starter: Since small agencies have less employees by definition, you will need to be comfortable working on your own and thinking creatively to solve problems.
• Collaborator: While you will sometimes have to work on your own on projects, a small nonprofit will only have success if everyone communicates and gets along. When you are working with such a small group, one negative attitude can bring the whole team down.
• Can-Do Attitude: You should be comfortable attending to all types of tasks, both big and small. In addition, you should be willing to help your colleagues with tasks if they need assistance.
• Passion: Small organizations need employees who aren't just satisfied with working 9-5. You should be ready to commit extra hours if that's what is needed to fulfill the mission.

4 Steps To A Successful Online Portfolio

Even in the midst of the digital age, the standard resume is still an effective device. If you are looking to add a little creativity, however, you should consider creating an online portfolio.

Online portfolios are one of the best ways to showcase your true skills to an employer. While resumes are a great initial indicator of your qualifications, a portfolio can literally show your work and accomplishments, standing you apart from other applicants.

If you are considering making a portfolio, follow the four steps below to ensure that your creativity shines through:

• Tell a Story: Consider the audience you are trying to reach and what they would want to see and know about you. The hiring manager should leave your portfolio knowing not only how you will help his organization, but also with a clear view of who you are as a person.
• Choose the Right Host: There a number of different hosts that will publish your online portfolio, all of which have different advantages depending on your design. For instance, WorkSimple is a great choice if you are looking to create a portfolio that is solely image-based.
• Give Specifics: All of the materials that are included in your online portfolio need detailed explanations of their relevance. These added details could make a real difference if other applicants fail to include them.
• Sell, Sell, Sell: Use social media to spread the word about your portfolio. Recruiters are always looking for new candidates, and will often scour sites like Twitter or LinkedIn for them.

5 Questions For Career Beginners

Congratulations, you graduated from college! Now comes the real hard part: Starting your career.

Individuals who are just starting their foray into a serious career have a lot going against them, especially in this competitive job market. There are jobs out there for the taking, and it will probably be tempting to take the first opportunity that comes your way. Before seriously considering the position, however, you should ask these five questions to make sure you are making the right choice:

• Does the job offer enough training? You should ask the employer about initial and ongoing training, and you should be comfortable with their response. If you don't think you will be able to do the job, you should consider looking elsewhere.
• Are there opportunities for growth? It may be your first job, but that doesn't mean you should accept a position that will stunt your career path. Being stuck in one position for a long period of time can seriously hinder your career development.
• Will there be opportunity for you to work independent of close supervision once you are finished with the proper training? You will always be reporting to a superior regardless of the job, but you should also be able to do your work without constant supervision if you are to develop as a professional.
• Are the tasks you will be assigned interesting and challenging? Satisfaction at work often comes from doing jobs that stimulate you mentally. You don't want to be in a situation that only gives you work that can be easily completed. This will only lead to boredom and, inevitably, burnout.
• Finally, will your supervisor be able to develop a relationship with you that will increase your knowledge of the organization and the industry in which you work? When you first start the job, your supervisor should give you direct feedback on your performance, and he should introduce you to the rest of the staff and acclimate you to the organizational culture.

7 Professional Development Tips

Professional development is one of the most important tools for your career advancement. When most people hear that term, they immediately think about graduate or continuing education programs. While these are all good ways to advance your career, there are a lot more ways to develop your career skills.

According to James Weinberg, founder and CEO of Boston, Mass.-based Commongood Careers, heading back to school is only one of the paths you can choose when it comes to professional development. At a recent conference hosted by the Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN), Weinberg listed seven other things you can do to advance your career:

• Workshops. Some of these guarantee certificates, but check to see if that piece of paper means anything for your professional career.
• Self-education books. Sometimes the best teacher is yourself. Look for books or online course to expand your knowledge.
• In-house mentors. Ask a competent colleague or supervisor for help.
• Outside mentors. Structure a relationship with someone in the field that works outside of your organization.
• Peer networks. These organize individuals with similar jobs.
• Consulting. Side projects can help you encounter elements of your position that may not come up at your job.
• Volunteering. This offers flexibility to your schedule.

As you can see, there are a number of things you can do to make sure you head down the right road in your career. Make sure to use a combination of the above tips to get the most successful results.

What Makes You Unique?

One of the best ways to impress an employer is to show them something you can do that separates you from other job seekers.

Your career skills are what makes up the core of your personal brand. They are what make you attractive to an organization, so it's in your best interest to emphasize them whenever possible. When thinking about these skills, you should try to frame them around the following question: What can you do that no one else can? This seems like an unanswerable question. After all, is anybody truly unique in this age of specialization?

The answer to that question is no, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to paint yourself as someone who can bring unique skills to an organization. It's unlikely that you are the only person in the world who is great at fundraising, but maybe you have a trait in that field that very few others have. Those are the kind of things you need to talk about when you write your cover letter or go in for a job interview.

Here are some other examples of how to make your skills more attractive for specific jobs:

• Marketing: Mention specific a project you have been involved with, and how your efforts led to increased visibility for it.
• Public Relations: A big part of PR is diffusing a crisis as cleanly as possible. Emphasize how you are able to stay cool under difficult circumstances by telling an anecdote from a situation like that.
• Management: Tell your potential employer how you are able to command respect from those that work for you through your actions. You know what they say: Actions speak louder than words.

Finding Work Outside Your Major

You expect to find a job in your major when you spend four or more years in college. After all, that is the kind of work for which you are presumably most passionate. Nonprofit jobs can accommodate a lot of different skills, however, so you shouldn't feel like you are bound to your major.

Job seekers sometimes have the mistaken belief that it will be harder for them to get a job outside of their major. While it's true that it will take a little bit more effort, it's hardly impossible. There are plenty of opportunities to enhance your existing career skills to open you up to other opportunities. Here are some suggestions to help you find a job outside your comfort zone:

• Take continuing education or graduate courses in a subject that interests you. You don't need to have a four-year college degree to get the attention of employers; every little bit of experience helps.
• Identify any transferable skills you gained in college or elsewhere. These are skills that can be applied to multiple different fields.
• Consider getting a minor in another subject if you are still in college. This will add depth to your resume and cover letter.
• Remember that your degree holds many different possibilities for the nonprofit sector. For example, an English major can easily get a job at a nonprofit as a writer for the website or a PR person.
• Build a network of contacts in the field in which you are interested. The relationships you build with these people will ultimately assist you in getting the job you want.

4 Skills For The Modern Day Job Seeker

Living in a modern society has its ups and downs.  While all the new technology is great, it can sometimes be a bit overwhelming.

Modern life can also be unkind to job seekers.  It used to be that all the skills you needed to impress an employer were great attention to detail, good listening skills, and the right characteristics for the job.  These days, employers expect a lot more from applicants.  You will have to adapt if you want to stay ahead in today's competitive job market.

Here are four skills to master that will help you advance your job search:

• Intuitive Thinking: Think outside the box when searching for jobs.  For example, when you see an opening for a position, think about the reasons the nonprofit is looking to hire.  Do some research and see if you can find out if the organization has been having trouble in that area.  You can use this information to market yourself as the solution to their issues.
• Storytelling: Employers want to hear good anecdotes when they interview an applicant.  Being able to weave a good story (provided it's true, of course) will show your communication abilities and put more weight behind your claims.  For example, replace "Greatly increased web traffic to our website" to "Visitors to our website increased from X to Y during my tenure."
• Be Human: Avoid corporate lingo with easy-to-understand language.  Employers are looking to hire human beings, not robots, so don't try to be overly fancy with your resume writing.  Provide concrete examples of your work instead of using generic statements.
• Prove Your Worth: Highlight the appropriate accomplishments in your resume and cover letter.  A hiring manager for a technology position is not going to care about your success as a swim teacher at a local college.  If you don't tailor your application to the job, you're chances of being considered are going to fall.

So You Want To Be A Major Gifts Officer

Every nonprofit needs an effective Major Gifts Officer.  That's why you often see openings for this position while browsing job boards.  Do you think you have what it takes to make it in this demanding position?

As the title of the job suggests, a Major Gifts Officer is in charge of securing large gifts from the key donors.  What constitutes a major gift can vary from organization to organization.  For smaller nonprofits, it could be $100.  For larger ones, it could be $100,000 or more.  The major gift officer will have constant contact with major gift prospects, and will generally report to the Chief Development Officer.

So what career skills are required to be a great Major Gifts Officer?  During the Association For Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) International Conference in Boston, Mass., Mark Kostegan, senior vice president of development for the Mount Sinai Medical Center, detailed nine skills that a Major Gifts Officer should have:

• Since you will be working with a number of different donors, often at the same time, it's important to have the ability to build and maintain relationships quickly.
• You must have excellent listening skills.
• You must also have strong verbal and communication skills.
• Can you organize yourself and your time effectively?  If so, you have one of the most important attributes of a Major Gifts Officer.
• You must never be satisfied with the status quo.  Drive yourself to set and reach challenging goals.
• Mental and physical stamina to maintain a hectic schedule.  This includes a lot of traveling.
• A collaborative and collegial work style is a must.
• Confidence and poise to work effectively with individuals of significant wealth.  Money can be intimidating, so this is a lot harder than it seems.

Are You Overqualified?

The need to get a job is so great these days that job seekers are willing to do anything.  They would even apply for jobs for which they are overqualified.

Employers are reluctant to hire overqualified candidates.  There is too much of a risk that such employees would become unhappy doing work that is below their skills.  This would make it more likely that they wouldn't stay at the organization long.  It's not in the best interest of an organization to hire an employee that will leave after a short time.  Overqualified candidates can also be threatening to interviewers, because there is the distinct possibility that they could take their job one day.

All this doesn't mean there aren't good reasons to apply for a job that is way below your talents.  You will rarely be told during a job interview that you are overqualified, but you can still explain your reasons for applying.  For example, there could be a situation that came up in your family that requires you to take a position that is far less stressful.  This will ensure the interviewer that their job is not in danger, and that you have a very good reason for wanting a low level job.

Applying for a job out of desperation is not a good reason, as tempting as it is.  Before settling for a job that you won't be happy with, search harder for work that fits your skill level.  It's best for you and the employer.

Traits For A Nonprofit Job

You most likely want to find a nonprofit job if you are reading this blog.  But do you know the traits you should have to get one?

Let's get one thing straight: You don't have to accept a life of poverty just by working in the nonprofit sector.  Nonprofit salaries tend to be lower than those at for-profit corporations, but they aren't that much lower.  Just take a look at the pay for nonprofit executives.  You don't have to completely reinvent yourself in order to work in the sector.  There are some specific skills that can really help you out in your job search.  Some of these traits were discussed in a recent article in The Mercury News:

• Excellent computer skills, including familiarity with social media.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Good "people" skills (especially for positions in fundraising).
• Flexibility is a must, especially for smaller organizations.  These types of nonprofits will likely be under bigger budget constraints, so being able to perform different roles is helpful.
• You should have a lot of passion for the cause the organization pursues.  If you aren't interested in their mission, you likely will have a hard time focusing on the work that needs to be done.

Make sure to read the entire article from The Mercury News.

Transferable Career Skills

Time for a little straight talk.  In this economy, employers don't care about where you worked; they care about how you can help them.  That's why you need to start discovering your transferable career skills.

As the name implies, transferable career skills are abilities that can help you in any job you do.  If you used to work as a grant writer, for instance, those skills would be applicable to other positions that involve being able to write in great detail.  It's easy enough to identify job skills that will help you with your future employment.  The hard part comes when you have to explain them.

You should emphasize applicable skills in your resume, but the cover letter is where you can really make them shine.  Remember that it's not enough to simply state the abilities you have that are related to the job in question.  Include specific anecdotes from your previous experiences to help strengthen these claims.  If you were applying for a job in communications, you could cite your previous work in public relations. 

The best examples you can cite are ones that not only show your abilities to perform a task, but also prove you can learn new skills quickly.  There's no better way to stand out from the competition by showing you can think quick on your feet.  For example: "While working in public relations, I had to quickly devise a better way of keeping myself organized.   I was able to do this by separating my tasks from the most important to the least."

Once you are able to master the task of explaining your transferable career skills, you will be on the path to finding your new job.

Job Skills: Which Ones Will Help You The Most?

Being proficient in a particular field of work is the main criteria that an employer will judge you on.  If you don't have the necessary experience for that position, you likely won't get the job.  This is not the only job skill you will be judged on, however.  There are many other seemingly unrelated job skills you should hone if you really want to get a leg up on the competition. 

The first of these job skills is being able to deal with customers.  You might not realize it, but there are many nonprofit jobs where you will have to deal with clients.  If you work in marketing, for example, you will most likely have to communicate with people to help promote your organization.  You might not need as much customer service forte as someone working a call center, but having some skills in that area will help you out no matter what position you apply for.

Having a good understanding of technology is also an important skill to have.  If you have even basic knowledge on subjects like HTML, social media, and technology in general, you will have a built-in advantage over other candidates who might not be as skilled in that area.  Consider taking continuing education courses in some (if not all) of these subjects at your local colleges.  If money's an issue, try connecting with friends who might be able to teach you the basics. 

You will often seen many job applications stress the importance of being a good problem solver.  This statement is so ubiquitous that is often ignored by most job seekers.  This is a mistake.  Being able to solve problems is key for any nonprofit job.  Nonprofits are bombarded by various different issues everyday, so it is necessary to have the personality to handle these problems.  Everyone can solve problems, but not everyone has the ability to come up with a solid process to solve them efficiently.  If you have ever been in a situation where you have had to do this, make sure it is mentioned in your resume or cover letter.

Which of these job skills is the most important?  I would argue that having a solid understanding of technology will help you the most.  We live in a digital world now, and many nonprofits are looking to take their organizations online.  While most everyone knows how to use sites like Facebook, not everyone knows how to use them to help promote a business.  In the competitive job market we live in, you must use every advantage you have at your disposal.

Nonprofit Career Round-Up: 6/13/2011

If you are reading this blog and are working in the nonprofit sector, I would like to direct you to The NonProfit Times' Resource Marketplace.  It contains contact information for a variety of different services that help nonprofits, from account services to grant writers.  Check it out, it's a pretty handy resource. 

• '20 of the Weirdest, Wackiest, and Funniest Resume Mistakes'-Mistakes on resumes can be serious problems; especially if they are anything like these.  Some of these examples are pretty hilarious (like "Hobbies: enjoy cooking Chinese and Italians."  Ah, the joy of missing punctuation). 
• 'Finding the Right Fit in an Employer'-It's all about compatibility when it comes to finding a great job.  This article from The Globe and Mail brings that point home.
• 'Beating Boomer Bias: Learning New Skills'-You can never have enough career skills.  The field is constantly evolving, especially in the nonprofit sector.  So even if you don't think it's necessary, explore some secondary skills through continuing education courses.

Think You Have Enough Career Skills? You Probably Don't

One of the things you will learn while progressing through today's job market is that the wider variety of career skills you have, the better chance you will have in getting work. This is particuarly true in the case of not for profit jobs, where you will often be required to wear multiple "hats."  So while you might think that what you studied in college gives you all the skills you need for the kind of work you want, it not always enough.

To help your career skills development in today's day and age, I would suggest one particular path: web development (and this is not just because this is the secondary path that I took).  There may be no skill that is more important to have today than some basic HTML knowledge.  Even if you aren't interested in getting into the nitty-gritty world of Javascript, you should at least consider taking some basic HTML courses.  Most local colleges offer these courses, so it shouldn't be hard for you to find one.  Like most of the business world, nonprofits are quickly taking advantage of all the things the Internet has to offer by expanding their websites, and jumping into the social media arena, so brushing up on your skills in web deveopment can do nothing but improve your chances of landing a non profit job.

If you have even just a basic knowledge of HTML, you will be even more attractive to not for profits.  Yes, it may not be what you studied in school for 4+ years, but you have to do everything you can these days to get a leg up in a compeitive job market.  Of course, this isn't the only career skill you can develop; I would recommend researching the kind of different skills that some of the top non profits are looking for, and consider taking continuing education courses in those subjects as well.