Ask For Job References, Not Jobs

The ultimate goal when you meet up with a networking contact is to get information that will lead you to a nonprofit job.  That doesn't mean you should straight up ask for a job.  Instead, ask for references.

The fact of the matter is that career networking isn't always going to lead you to people who have solid job references to help your job search.  Instead of putting your contacts on the spot about a potential job, mention to them what kind of positions you are most suited for and the ask if you can use them as a reference when you apply for jobs.

There are a couple of good reasons for taking this approach.  First of all, being used as a reference is a pretty high compliment.  It says that you think enough of this person to use them as an accurate judge of your abilities.  It will also make them feel better about themselves knowing they are able to help you out in your quest to get a good job.

All of this sounds like it's better for your contact than for you, but these good feelings will make your contacts more eager to help you.  They will think of you as a friend and will be thinking about other ways they can help you with your search.  This means they will likely be on the lookout for jobs that fit your needs.

It's important to keep in mind that this technique works best with people that you already know fairly well.  If you are just getting to know someone you discovered through LinkedIn, you should wait for a few conversations until you ask to use them as a reference.

The Question To Always Ask A Job Reference

It can be very difficult to get any of the information you really want when you question an applicant's job reference.  Modern employment laws make it hard, if not impossible, to ask any specific questions about a former employee.  If you are going to ask one question, however, Jack DeBoer has the perfect one.

DeBoer wrote in his book "Risk Only Money" that many employers these days don't really want to shoot straight with you when it comes to discussing employees who were not that great.  They don't want to face the possibility of a lawsuit if their answers costs that person the job, even if it's hard to prove it.  If you are going to get the information you need, DeBoer wrote that you should ask the following question: "If you needed the skills of this employee, would you rehire this person?"  This is a great question to ask because it's a simple yes or no answer that requires no further explanation, and it allows the employer to tell the truth without violating any laws.

DeBoer also suggested that hiring managers should learn to read between the lines when listening to an answer.  For example, if you ask how trustworthy the former employee is, listen for any hesitation in the answer.  Anything less than "Oh, absolutely!" can be a signal that you aren't getting the whole truth.  You can also try asking about the employee's performance rather than their character, as DeBoer wrote that there are fewer laws restricting those kinds of questions.

Employee screening can sure be difficult, but the tips above should make it a little easier to get the information you really need.

Things Your Nonprofit Resume Doesn't Need

When preparing your nonprofit resume, you probably already have a good idea of what you need to include.  But do you know what you should leave out?

You need to include a lot of information in your resume.  You simply can't risk including unnecessary information or you will risk losing your reader.  Being able to present information in a concise manner is one of the many things an employer will look for when deciding which candidate they want to learn more about.  That's where knowing what information to leave out comes in handy.   Consider leaving the following items out of your resume:

• References: If you suspect an employer will want references, leave a note at the end of your resume saying that they will be provided upon request.  Employers conduct thorough background checks these days, so references are not always needed.  Read our article on getting references if you are asked for them.
• A Photograph: It may seem like a nice touch, but including a picture of yourself is really just a waste of space.  You're going to be hired based on your abilities, not your physical appearance.
• An Objective Statement: Most job seekers still feel the need to include this, but it's not necessary anymore.  Instead of writing a paragraph on why you should be hired, list off a few of your traits that will make you desirable for the position.

What Will Employers Ask Your Job References?

Most organizations require you to have at least three job references when submitting an application.  These can be former employers, teachers, or other professional references.  Have you ever wondered what questions they might be asked?  If you haven't, you should.  It's important to prep your references with the sort of questions they might be asked so they will know what to expect.  About.com put together a pretty good list of sample questions that might be asked to former employers, so let's take a look at some of those:

• When did (name) work for your company? Could you confirm starting and ending employment dates? When did s/he leave the company?
• Why did (name) leave the company?
• What was her/his starting and ending salary?
• What was her/his position? Can you describe the job responsibilities?
• Did s/he get along well with management and co-workers?

These are pretty basic questions.  There are laws that govern what a former employer can disclose, so these are the questions most likely to be asked.  Be sure to give these questions to all of your professional references.  The more prepped they are, the better answers they will give to the employer.

Getting A Letter of Recommendation

Getting a letter of recommendation is one of the most effective ways to impress potential employers. Job references like these are a big part of what it takes to really sell yourself to an organization.  Asking for a recommendation from one of your former colleagues can be a harrowing task: What if they say no? This is one of the natural fears you will have to battle through if you want to get that reference.

You should remember that the person you ask for a recommendation should be someone who knows you very well. While it might seem impressive to give an employer a recommendation from one of the head honchos at your previous company, they probably won't be able to write a very good letter for you if they didn't work with you much. A good person to ask would be your supervisor, as they would know the most about you as an employee.  They should be more than happy to recommend you to another organization as long as you made a good impression with them.

What should you do if you are just getting out of college and don't have much (if any) work experience? In this situation, getting a letter of recommendation from a professor will suffice. You should choose a teacher who knew you best, just like an employee reference.  It would be helpful if this teacher taught a subject that is relevant to the nonprofit job you are applying to.

Choosing someone to get a letter of recommendation from is the easiest part of this whole process.  The hard part comes when you have to ask them.  It's not as simple as just asking "can you write a letter of recommendation for me?" You should specifically ask this person if they think they know you well enough to right a good reference for you. You should also explain what the job is that you are applying for, so they have a good idea of which of your strengths they should emphasize in the letter.  If it is a marketing job, for instance, they will want to explain what makes you the best candidate for that kind of job.

After you get the letter from your reference, you should write them a thank you note. You should also keep them updated on whether or not you got the job or not. Even if you don't get it, you should thank them again. This will make it more likely for them to write you another recommendation if you need it again. Remember, being polite costs nothing.

NPT Jobs Recommends: 8/3/2011

Just a reminder, The NonProfit Times has started the next round of the best nonprofit for which to work. Following on The NonProfit Times’ 2010 and 2011 listings of the 50 best nonprofits at which to work, we are seeking contenders for the 2012 crown.  Please go to http://bestnonprofitstoworkfor.com/ for details regarding how you can nominate your organization to be recognized as one of the best. If you won during 2010 or 2011, it’s time to defend your title.

And now that we have that out of the way, here are today's articles:

• 'Dress For The Job You Want 5 Years From Now'-Despite the title, this post isn't really about dress code.  It's more about, as the author says, how you "think about yourself, and how you act in the workplace."
• 'Professional References'-This is About.com's guide to how to get professional references.  It specifically covers how to ask for them.  It also includes a sample request letter, which is quite helpful.
• 'Mid-Year Job Search Check-Up: Getting Un-Stuck'-Feeling like your job search is going no where?  Don't worry, you're not alone.  That doesn't mean you have to stay like that, however.  In this post, Job-hunt.org tells you how to get out of your rut