4 Reasons Not Put Fibs In Your Resume

The temptation to put a little white lie in your resume can be great sometimes. When you see a job you really want but don't quite have the necessary skills for, it's easy to see why you might think one little fib won't be too big of a deal. After all, who's going to notice?

Thanks to some techniques used by employers, so-called "little fibs" can be easily spotted. Being caught in a lie will not only ruin your chances of getting the job, it can also do serious damage to your overall reputation. It's hard to get rid of a reputation as a liar even if the lie wasn't that big.

So before you consider fibbing a little in your resume, consider these four ways that employers can discover the truth:

• Background Checks: Employers usually perform standard background screens on candidates. They will look for discrepancies between what you tell them and what their reports reveal.
• Red Flags: Hiring managers will be suspicious of unexplained gaps in employment or a hesitance to explain the reason behind your departure from that last job. Employers can easily find phone numbers for the places you said you worked to verify that you were once employed.
• Social Networking Sites: Sites such as Facebook or LinkedIn contain information that will help employers verify information of which they are unsure.
• Gut Check: A lot of hiring managers will simply trust their gut and not hire you if something about your resume bugs them. 

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. 

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."

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.

The "Will My Resume Be Read?" Checklist

Everyone knows that first impressions are everything when you meet someone new. That same rule applies when you submit a resume to a prospective nonprofit employer.

You only get one shot to impress a hiring manager, so it's imperative that your resume gives him a reason to want to read it more carefully. That's where the resume checklist comes in handy. Take a look at the following questions; if you can answer yes to all (or at least a majority) of them, your application will have a better chance of success.

• Does your resume look original and not based on a template?
• Is there enough white space and clearly marked sections (i.e., career history, skills, etc.)?
• How much thought was put into your design? Does it look professional and not rushed?
• Are you highlighting important content with bolding, lines, or bullet points?
• Is your work history written with the most recent jobs listed first?
• If your resume is more than one page long, does the second page contain a heading?
• Is the information you included relevant to the job?
• Does the content support your career goals?
• Is your career goal something more interesting than "getting a job"?
• Are personal pronoun such as I, me, and my avoided?
• Did you include ample keywords relevant to the position?
• Are you avoiding corporate lingo that is irrelevant to the nonprofit sector?
• Did you include any relevant awards or achievements you earned?
• Do you introduce your accomplishments with strong, action verbs?
• Are accomplishments separated from achievements?

6 "Don'ts" For Cover Letters

In one episode of the show Seinfeld, George Costanza is rejected for a job simply because he has a piece of spinach stuck between his teeth, highlighting how much employers value first impressions. To avoid being like George, job seekers must ensure they wow hiring managers the first time they have contact with them.

This attention to detail is important not only for job interviews, but also for the cover letter.

Your job application is most likely the first contact you will have with the hiring manager. Even before he reads your resume, the employer will begin to formulate an impression of you based on your cover letter, so it's important that you don't make any mistakes. Below are six examples of things you should never do in your letter:

• Don't open the letter with "To whom it may concern." This sounds impersonal and implies that you didn't do any research. If you are not able to get the name of the hiring manager, or the organization simply won't provide you with the name, you can open with "To the human resources officer."
• Don't neglect to say for which position your are applying. Most nonprofits hire for multiple jobs at once.
• Don't send your cover letter until it has been thoroughly proofread. Remember that not all typos are caught by your word processors' spell check (i.e. confusing "your" and "you're).
• Don't focus on what you want. Instead, focus on what you can bring to the organization.
• Don't send a one-size-fits-all cover letter. Every application you send should be customized based on the organization for which you are applying.
• Don't be desperate. Avoid mentioning how many applications you have sent so far, as this will make the employer wonder why you haven't been hired yet.

5 Ways To Tweak Your Resume

One of the most common pieces of advice job seekers get when they don't hear back from employers is to rework their resumes. While this makes sense, it can be difficult to know where to start and how much work needs to be done.

Unless your resume is a complete disaster (tons of typos, poor formatting, etc.), chances are only a few minor tweaks will be needed to make it more attractive to hiring managers. We are often taught that it's the big changes that will make the biggest impact, but minor changes to your resume can ultimately make all the difference when it comes to getting that job.

Below are some of those small changes:

• Spell check manually: Computer spell check programs don't always pick up all the errors, so make sure you manually proofread your resume before submission. For a fresh perspective, have a friend or family member read it over, too.
• Use reverse chronological order: Employers want to know where you most recently worked, so organize your job history so that your most recent jobs are at the top.
• Simplify your language: Write short sentences and leave out personal pronouns like "I," "my," and "me."
• Format to reduce clutter: Make your resume easier to read by bolding important points and using bullet points for your job descriptions and history.
• Read it out loud: Just because a phrase sounds good in your head doesn't mean it actually sounds good. Try reading your resume out loud to catch any awkward-sounding phrases.

6 Ways To Get Great Job References

Not all job references are created equal. A half-hearted recommendation can be worse than none at all, as they suggest you didn't do enough to warrant a glowing endorsement.

The key, then, is to get a reference that shows the employer that you are a special candidate. While there is no way to control what someone says about you, there are ways to set yourself up for the best possible endorsement. Here are five tips for doing so:

• Don't wait until the last-minute. You should always give your reference enough time so they don't have to scramble to put something together.
• Choose your references based on their ability to provide the best impressions about you, not on their title. Unless you worked closely with the president of your last job, it is more likely that someone in your department will have clearer memories of you than a high-level executive.
• Professors or other professional contacts are acceptable references, especially if you are still in the early stages of your career.
• Always ask before including someone as a reference. Even if the contact is not annoyed by the lack of notification, it it likely he will not be able to deliver the ringing endorsement for which you are looking.
• Stay in touch even if you didn't get the job. That way you will still be fresh in their mind the next time you need an endorsement.
• Include background information when listing your references. A sentence or two about your work history with each reference can help the hiring manager ask the most pertinent questions. 

6 Items To Consider For Your Resume

Originally posted on the Nonprofit Job Seeker


Figuring out what you should include in your resume can be quite a headache. Conventional wisdom says too much information will bore the reader, yet it also claims too little will make it hard for you to stand out among all the candidates.

What's a nonprofit job seeker to do?

The key to striking the right balance of information is including the most pertinent information? What is that, you ask? Here are six examples of information that employers would find interesting:

• Politics: It would seem unwise to mention your political leanings in a resume, but it can actually be benefitial. One thing employers consider is how a new employee will fit in the environment. If your ideology is drastically different than those in the organization, you probably wouldn't be a good fit anyway.
• Failures: Employers want to know about your failed efforts in the past, and how you have learned from them.
• Travel: Many nonprofit jobs involve traveling, whether it's for a conference or some other special event. Showing that you have a lot of experience in other countries or states will indicate that you have no trouble leaving your comfort zone.
• Side Projects Don't think you have enough work experience listed? It's perfectly acceptable to list projects you worked on when you were unemployed.
• Awards: Don't be afraid to brag: List the awards or other recognitions you have received over the years.
• Sports: Nonprofits are the ultimate team-environment; everybody must work together to accomplish the mission. Listing any team sports you competed in will show that you are familiar with that kind of environment.

5 Words Or Phrases To Leave Off Your Resume

When it comes to looking for a nonprofit job, what you don't say on your resume can be just as important as what you do say.

Simply throwing together a bunch of accomplishments is exactly the wrong approach to take when writing your resume. You are going to need to put careful thought into every word you include if you want the best shot at being hired. Words and phrases can speak volumes, and there are some that you want to avoid at all costs, as they can send the wrong message to employers.

Here are some examples:

• "Try:" This word shows a lack of belief and confidence -- qualities you must have as an employee. "Try" is one of the most dangerous words a job seeker can use in a resume.
• Buzzwords: There was a time when phrases like "team player" or "results-oriented" were impressive to hiring managers; those days are now over. These expressions have been overused to the point where they have lost their impact. List your specific accomplishments rather than using buzzwords.
• "References available upon request:" Employers are always going to ask for references, so there is no point in wasting valuable space by including this sentence.
• "Responsibilities include:" Hiring managers are not overly interested in the basic responsibilities you had at your previous job. They are more interested in hearing how your work improved the organization.
• Objective: Your objective is obviously to get the job, so there is no need to include an objective statement at the top of your resume. List your skills and experience instead.

Avoiding The Resume Black Hole

Legend tells of something called the "resume black hole." It is said that this is where seemingly qualified applications go to die after they have been submitted.

The truth is actually a little less complicated -- and interesting -- than that.

Many organizations have what is called an applicant tracking system (ATS). This technology scans incoming resumes and cover letters for specific keywords and other criteria, and discards the ones that don't meet them. This is the reason why some job seekers feel their applications go into a black hole when they apply for jobs.

Thankfully, there are ways to avoid this situation. By following these five techniques, you can make sure your application has the best chance of avoiding the dreaded resume black hole:

• Don't apply to jobs for which you are not qualified;
• Don't apply to the same job over and over again;
• Use the body of your e-mail to address any obvious disqualifiers in your resume -- make it hard for screeners to ignore you;
• Include keywords that appear in the job description in your resume; and,
• Include the most relevant experience at the top of your resume.

8 Ways To Get Your Resume Seen

Some job seekers believe like they are sending their resume into a black hole when they submit them to an organization. More often than not your application will get to the recipient but there are times when that feeling about black holes is legitimate, all because of a new technology some employers use.

More organizations are making use of what are called an applicant tracking systems to filter out resumes that don't match what they want from applicants. These devices will automatically reject applications that don't contain certain keywords, but they will also affect resumes that aren't formatted properly. Below are eight steps to ensure your document is seen by human eyes:

• Save your resume as a "text only" or plain "plain text" file.
• Re-open your file. All graphics should have been removed but, if they haven't, delete them. Use equal signs instead of lines or borders, and replace bullet points with asterisks (*) or hyphens (-).
• Limit your margins to no more than 65 characters wide.
• Use an easy-to-scan font such as Courier, Arial, or Helvectica.
• Eliminate any bold, italics, or underlining.
• Introduce major sections in all caps rather than using special fonts.
• Keep all text aligned to the left.
• Use the space bar to indent text rather than using tab.

10 Words To Leave Out Of Your Resume

It's easy enough to say that you are "hard working" or a "team player" in your resume. It's a little bit harder to actually give meaning to these words by proving it.

When writing your resume, it's important to include as many keywords as possible so that your document will make it past any filter systems the organization has in place. While these terms are important, there are other words that job seekers scatter throughout their resumes that have less meaning.

Proving to hiring managers that you are fit for the job is important, but you should do this by using brief, specific examples of your skills. That means you should leave out generic terms that don't speak enough to how you would help the organization. Below are 10 words that don't do enough to explain why you are the best fit for the organization:

• Aggressive
• Ambitious
• Competent
• Goal-oriented
• Motivated
• Creative
• Self-starter
• Independent
• Meticulous
• Professional

5 Resume Improvements

There are many ways to tell if your resume will be a success when it gets to the hiring manager's desk. One of the best of these techniques is to read it as if it were not your own work. Would you be compelled to read it if you weren't the author?

If you answer "no" to that question, it's time to make some improvements.

It's important to note that your resume doesn't need to be a full-on disaster to warrant tweaking. The smallest errors can cost you the job, as unfair as that seems. The nature of today's job market means that a candidate who has an application that is just a little more polished than yours will ultimately be more attractive to the employer.

Improvements to your resume don't necessarily need to come from major overhauls. Instead, they can come from a series of smaller tweaks. Here are five tips for implementing these changes:

• Don't rely on the computer's spell check. These programs, while helpful, can aren't foolproof. Read over your resume with your own eyes before sending it. You should also have someone else check it, as you will not always have the most accurate perspective of your own work.
• Organize your work history so that your most recent jobs are listed at the top. This style is preferred by most employers, as it makes it easier for them to determine where you worked and when.
• Eliminate all unnecessary words and simplify your language. For example, personal pronouns such as "I," "my," and "me" are not needed since it is clear that your resume is about you.
• Review your formatting to make sure that it is easy to read. Bold, italicize, or underline key points, and create a bulleted list for your job functions.
• You can sometimes miss awkward sounding sentences if you just read your work to yourself. That's why you should read your resume aloud, as it will help you identify passages that need improvement or clarification.

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.

Things You Can Control In The Hiring Process

What gets people most nervous are the things they can't control. That's why parents get pretty antsy at their kids' sports games or other events. It's not only because they want them to do really well; they also have no control over the outcome.

It would seem there is little about the hiring process you can control. Everything seems to be out of your hands once you send in your job application. In reality, there are a number of things that you can control. It all starts with what we just mentioned: Sending in your application on time.

Most job descriptions note when resumés and cover letters must be received. Some job seekers make the mistake of either not seeing this deadline or not taking it seriously. While it's true that they are sometimes not followed, you should always err on the side of caution and get your application in as early as possible. You don't want a perfectly good resumé  to go to waste by not being seen.

Job interviews are where you really get the chance to control things. It all starts with presentation. Follow the old cliché "dress to impress" by making sure you are wearing appropriate clothing to the interview (i.e., no jeans, sneakers, or T-shirts). Looking unprofessional is one of the best ways to sink your chances of getting a job. If you're unsure about what to wear, find out the dress code of the nonprofit. Wear khakis and a button-downed shirt if you aren't able to get this information.

Finally, it's important to remember that a job interview is not a casual chat. You should come off as charming, but you aren't trying to make a new friend; you're trying to get a job. This means you need to show the hiring manager that you understand the needs of the organization and that you are the right person to fulfill them. Don't be uptight or too casual. Finding the right balance is key.

6 Resume Misrepresentations

If you press most job seekers, they would probably admit that they've at least thought about stretching the truth on their resumes. The temptation can be really great when there is a nonprofit job available for which you don't meet the qualifications.

Even though it's understandable why some applicants would want to lie on their applications, it's never worth the risk. Most organizations do background checks on candidates so the damage to your reputation could be beyond repair if you are discovered.

While you shouldn't misrepresent yourself at all in your resume, not all lies are created equal. Here are six items that will get you in the most trouble:

• Job Title: Not only can this damage your reputation, it can also harm you even if you aren't discovered. For instance, if you apply for a senior fundraiser position but list your previous job as an executive director, it's possible you could be considered overqualified.
• Time At a Job: It's much better to address gaps in employment head-on rather than dancing around the subject.
• Skills: You're going to feel really nervous if you exaggerate your skills and find that you can't do the job you are assigned.
• Education: If you didn't graduate college, specify the year you ended and the number of credits you earned.
• Achievements: Don't take all the credit for accomplishments you've accomplished as a team. Organizations actually like it when candidates express their achievements with "we" rather than "I."
• Residence: It's true that employers prefer local candidates, but you'll find yourself in a bind if you list your friend in California's address on your resume even though you live in New York.

3 Cover Letter Rules

One of the things that I agonized over the most over during the job search was cover letters. If I wasn't having a tough time figuring out a unique way to express why I was a good fit for the job, I was experiencing fatigue from writing so many of them.

Yes, most job seekers will agree that cover letters are a bit of a pain. They are also extremely important; maybe even more so than your resumé.

There's no such thing as a perfect cover letter, but there are some rules you should follow that will make it easier. I learned these as I went along, and they made things a little easier for me. Hopefully they will do the same for you.

• Start Early: Instead of waiting until the last minute to bang out your cover letter, take some time to figure out what you want to say. The purpose of this document is to raise your job application above the competition, so sending something that is hastily written only will serve to undermine your cause.
• Be Unique: Don't simply mimic what you say in your resumé. Choose one of your skills and expand on it, explaining exactly why it makes you a great fit for the job. Above all, make sure your passion for the position shines through your writing.
• Know Your Norms: Most job descriptions will let you know how you should send your cover letter. If that is not the case, get in touch with your networking contacts to determine whether the organization wants candidates to submit applications as an attachment or in the body of the e-mail. This is a lot more important than you think, as it can determine whether your message makes it through the employer's filters.

4 Creative Additions To Your Resume

Everyone knows the standard things to include in a resume: Relevant work experience, skills, and education. But did you know there are some other additions you can add? Below are four of them, along with explanations of why they are important:

• Volunteer Work: This is especially relevant for nonprofit jobs. It shows that you have a passion for a cause and are willing to put in hard work to get the job done. Long-term volunteer work is the most impressive, but you can list short-term projects.
• Professional Hobbies: The word "professional" is key here. You shouldn't list "Dungeons and Dragons" in your resume, but you can mention activities that are relevant to the job for which you are applying. For example, if you are applying for an IT position, you could list computer programming as a hobby.
• Experiences: Feel free to list experiences that have shaped your life, such as a study abroad. This is important as it gives the employer an idea of the kind of things you do with extended periods of free time. These types of experiences are ideal if you need to fill gaps in your employment.
• Interests:  This will show that you are an individual who is well-rounded and has a fresh prospective. Organizations want people who have a broad range of interests, not someone who is one-dimensional.

Have any other ideas of things you can include in a resume? Feel free to list them in our comments section.

Don't Lie In Your Resume

There's sometimes a distinction made between lying and stretching the truth. This is never the case when it comes to your resume, however. Whether you are just embellishing a little bit or telling a real whopper, it's never appropriate to misrepresent yourself to an employer.

Aside from the obvious reason that it's just not right to lie about something you know is wrong, stretching the truth about your employment history can come back to haunt you. Telling an organization that you are capable of doing something you are not can lead to a quick exit from the job when it is discovered you can't do the work. This is not only bad for you short-term, but can also impact your ability to get jobs in the future.

It's not good to embellish about anything, but here are some of the worst items to lie about in your resume:

• Job Duration: It's better to address frequent turnover in employment rather than hide it by only listing the years you worked rather than the months. There are plenty of reasons that you might have had multiple jobs in a short period of time, and employers will appreciate your honesty.
• Skills: There's nothing more embarrassing than claiming you are an expert at something only to have your co-workers find out you are far from that. Word of this kind of lie can spread pretty quickly around the industry, making it hard for you to get jobs in the future.
• Education: If you didn't graduate for whatever reason, list the amount of credits you received and your class standing. Include a parenthetical note explaining why you didn't complete your degree.
• Residence: Don't use your friend's address in Florida if there is absolutely no way you can get there by the next day for interview. This is only appropriate if you are staying at this person's house for the weekend and in that case, you need to mention that in your application.