Networking Events on July 4th

Tomorrow, people all across America will be celebrating Independence Day.  Our forefathers fought for our freedom all those years ago and as a result, we get to eat burgers, drink beer, and watch fireworks every July 4th. Freedom's a wonderful thing, right?

Unfortunately, many Americans are not free this year. There's no oppressive foreign power trying to impose their will on us, but there are still too many people held back by unemployment. It's been nearly three years since the official end of the Great Recession, but Americans are still dealing with its aftermath. Things are better than they were in 2009, but we still have a long way to go. 

It would be very easy to just halt your job search this holiday weekend. And when it comes to applying to jobs, I would recommend that. Since the majority of organizations are off, you aren't going to be finding many new positions. That doesn't mean you can't do anything to move yourself closer to unemployment independence. It may not seem like it, but there really is no better time to network. Think about it: Presumably you will be attending a July 4th party, which will  give you the opportunity to connect (or re-connect) with a bunch of people. Make it a goal to make some new career contacts by the time the party is over. You will probably have some idea of who these people are, which can make it a lot more relaxing than a normal networking event.

It's highly unlikely you will walk out of an Independence Day party with a job interview lined up. That's hardly a guarantee. What is a guarantee, however, is that you will move one step closer to ridding yourself of unemployment if you do some serious networking. And on a day when America is celebrating freedom from tyranny, you can be closer to that freedom as well.

For A Chief Development Officer, Support Is Key

There's no question that the chief development officer (CDO) of a nonprofit is very important to the fundraising of that organization. This individual is unlikely to have as much of an impact, however, without the assistance of a great support staff.

Steve Klingman wrote in his book, "Fundraising Strategies for Community Colleges," that assistants for CDOs are just as important as the CDO himself. He argued that nonprofits should spend a good deal of energy looking for a great support staff.

So what qualifications should an organization seek for this role? Klingman suggested asking the following questions when assessing candidates:

• Does the assistant understand development?
• Does the assistant know the organization’s donors?
• Are there any underlying performance issues?
• Does the assistant possess the necessary skill sets?
• Does the assistant have command of the hundreds of details for which the CDO will be held responsible?
• Is the assistant proficient in using all of the organization’s software platforms?
• Do acknowledgment letters go out within 24 hours of receiving funds?
• Can the assistant perform data entry into the organization’s database, construct queries and run reports efficiently?
• Are gifts entered daily?
• Are bank deposits made at least once a week?
• Do complex assignments seem to be put off indefinitely?
• What does the assistant need?
• Are the assistant’s duties reflected in an accurate job description?
• Is the assistant responsible for the organization’s accounting? If so, plan to change that.

Don't Wear Shorts To Job Interviews

Let's take a moment to talk about fashion. Don't worry, we're not changing the subject of this blog, it just happens that what you wear has a pretty big impact when it comes to job interviews. One fashion faux pas and you could find yourself out of the running.

When preparing to choose an outfit for your interview, you have to strike a delicate balance between casual and professional. You don't want to come in with shorts and t-shirt, but you also shouldn't overdress, as that can come off as desperate. Here are some general tips to keep in mind:

• Jeans are a no-no in any situation, even if it's a more casual work environment. Guys should always wear khakis of some kind, while girls should choose a long skirt or professional pants.
• Another tip for girls: Don't go overboard on the makeup. You can use some, just make sure you don't use so much that it becomes distracting.
• Interview attire isn't as conservative as it used to be, but that doesn't mean you should wear flip-flops or sneakers. Invest in a pair of low-cost dress shoes.
• Here's a rule of thumb for jewelry: If you can hear it while walking, you have too much. The most you should wear are earrings, necklace, and a ring. Anything else is taking it too far.
• Fashion isn't all about what you wear. Grooming is also important. Plan to get a hair cut a couple of days before your interview. Guys should plan to shave unless they already have a beard. In that case, make sure it is trimmed nicely.

Those are the basic guidelines for dressing up for your job interview. If you have any other tips, feel free to share them with us in the comments section.

Wanted: Director Of Development

King's Academy, an independent, coeducational boarding and day school, has posted a nonprofit job on our career center. They are looking for a Director of Development.

Reporting to the Headmaster and working with the Board of Trustees, this position will create and implement a strategy to drive and maximize contributed income that supports the school's mission and priorities. The chosen candidate will also work to create a comprehensive, dynamic and sustainable program and culture of philanthropy.

There are a number of qualifications that applicants must meet to be considered for this job. Here are some of the most important ones:

• Successful track record of development leadership experience in a not-for-profit organization, preferably secondary or higher education.
• Ability to plan and implement a comprehensive development program.
• Proven success cultivating and securing major gifts.
• Experience with capital campaigns.
• Board relations experience.
• Strategic planning skills.
• Bachelor's degree in related field.

It should be noted that King's Academy is based in the Middle Eastern country of Jordan. As such, anyone who wishes to apply for this job must be willing to locate. The school will pay for all relocation costs. While it is not required, the ability to speak Arabic is a plus.

If you have decided that you want to apply for this position, head on over to our career center.

3 Things To Remember During Job Interviews

Job interviews don't always come in bunches, so it's important to put your best face forward should you get called in for one.

Most job seekers know the important things to remember when they are preparing for an interview. They know they need to dress appropriately, have all of their talking points memorized, and bring in an extra copy of their resume. There are, however, some other points that interviewees forget when they walk into that office. Let's take a look at three of them:

• The interview starts when you walk in the building. You need to impress people the minute you enter the waiting room, not just when you are speaking to the hiring manager. That means you shouldn't do anything you wouldn't do during the interview (i.e., chew gum, talk on your cell phone). You should also remember to be friendly to the assistant, even if you don't find her to be so nice herself.
• Don't use the interview as a way to find out about what the organization does. Research of this kind should be done before the interview, not during it. Asking questions about the mission of the nonprofit is a good way to show the interviewer that you didn't do your homework.
• Don't just talk about what you've done, show it. Print out copies of some of the work you have done to give the employer a look at your abilities in action. This is much more effective than just saying you are, for instance, good at writing.

One last thing: When you write your thank-you letter after the interview, make sure to be as original as possible. It should read as if a human being wrote it, not a robot, so avoid clichéd phrases.

Where To Look For Nonprofit Jobs

Are you looking for places to find a great nonprofit job? Luckily for you, there are plenty of resources all over the place to help your job search. There's only one question: Where should you start? Below I have compiled the 8 best places to look for work. We'll start with the most obvious choice:

• Online Job Boards: Job sites like the Nonprofit Job Seeker are a good place to browse for the latest opportunities. Some job seekers think it's most efficient to just use one site, but it's actually best to pick out a few good ones. Remember, not all organizations post on the same boards.
• Employer Websites: While most organizations take advantage of job posting sites, some simply post the latest opportunities on their web sites. Make sure to constantly visit the pages of nonprofits you are most interested in joining. A simple Google search will help you find an organization's web page.
• Newspapers: Believe it or not, newspapers are still a good place too look for jobs. This is especially true for local papers. 
• Craigslist: The popular online classifieds site is a great place to find the latest open positions. The jobs section of the site has a specific category for nonprofit jobs, so make sure to look in that position when browsing for work in your area.
• Twitter: Be the first to know about new positions by following job-based Twitter accounts. NPT has one of these, and other organizations also tweet about new openings at their offices. You can also check Facebook pages as well.
• Recruiting Agencies: Get in touch with these groups so they can help connect you with nonprofits that are looking to hire. It's possible you will only end up with a temp job, but those can eventually turn into full-time positions.
• College Career Centers: Virtually every college has an office to help students and alumni find jobs. Even if it's been years since you've graduated from your university, you can still get in touch with them and they will help you connect with organizations looking to hire.
• Walk-Ins: Don't be afraid to walk into the office of a nonprofit and ask directly if they are hiring. You can also call the human resources manager if you are too nervous to do a blind visit.

Human Resources: When It's Appropriate To Use E-Mail

Technology has bought us a world of convenience, and there's no better example of that than electronic mail. E-mail has made life in the business world a lot easier. No longer do organizations have to wait a day or more for an important message to arrive.

Yet, as with most things, this technology can have its downsides. A message that is meant to be a harmless joke could end up having the opposite effect because of lack of vocal context and, the next thing you know, you have a major office controversy on your hands. That’s why it’s important to know when it’s appropriate to use e-mail or other digital means when communicating with employees.

A good human resources officer should clearly communicate to employees the appropriate times to use digital communication. In their book "The Big Book of HR," Barbara Mitchell and Cornelia Gamlem wrote about five situations when you should consider talking rather than typing. Avoid e-mail when:

• An immediate response is needed. Even though we all have access to e-mail, not everyone checks it regularly. And, let’s face it, some people like to procrastinate.
• The message might be misunderstood. Sometimes things just don’t come out the right way without vocal context.
• Face-to-face dialogue is needed.
• The information is sensitive (bad news, confidential, proprietary information).
• You are agitated.

You should also confirm situations where e-mail is appropriate. Use it when:

• Your audience must get the message.
• Your audience is at a distance.
• A record of communication is required.
• Multiple people must receive the message.
• A quick but not instant response is needed.
• Time is needed to compose the message.