6 Ways To Lose A Job

Originally posted on Nonprofit Job Seeker

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Your goal as a job seeker is to make employers like you to the extent that you are chosen instead of other qualified candidates. The idea that you would intentionally try and make a recruiter hate you seems farfetched, but that doesn't mean you don't have any habits that are unintentionally rubbing employers the wrong way.

Hiring managers have plenty of pet peeves, but below are the six that will hurt your chances the most:

• Asking Personal Questions: It's one thing to ask how long the interviewer has worked at the organization, it's another to ask personal questions about her family or life.
• Using Slang: Whether it's in your resume or cover letter, slang has no place in a professional environment. You should also avoid any abbreviations that are not well known within the industry.
• Being Overly Aggressive: Employers like to see candidates who are go-getters, but there is a line you need to be careful not to cross. For example, it's not OK to send an e-mail written in all caps just because you are frustrated over to wait to her back about your application.
• Making Up Achievements: It's never a good idea to lie about your skills or an achievement at a previous job. Even if you aren't discovered immediately, it will soon become apparent when you aren't able to do the work you claimed you could.
• Being A Pest: It's very important to follow up shortly after you submitted your job application, but be wary of how many times you contact the employer. Here's a rule of thumb: Wait at least a week before your next message.
• Being Careless: Submitting stock resumes and cover letters is a good way to make the employer believe you aren't serious about the job. Continually writing customized applications for each new job is the only way you will get noticed.

Preparing For A Group Interview

Preparing for a one-on-one job interview is tough enough. What are you supposed to do when you have to prepare for a group interview?

Job seekers are conditioned to think of an interview as a discussion with just one person. This is the case most of the time, but some nonprofits prefer to interview applicants as a group. Along with the hiring manager would be the head of the department for which the organization is hiring, along with one or two additional managers. This type of interview is advantageous for the nonprofit because it allows the people who would be working with the prospective employee to get a first-hand impression.

Group interviews can be very overwhelming. This is even more the case if you don't know it's coming so when you are asked in for an interview, ask who will be interviewing you. Knowing a group interview is coming will make it slightly less intimidating. Now you can begin to prepare:

• Check out the LinkedIn profiles of your interviewers. Find out as much as you can about them so you can form a real connection.
• Pay attention to how the group interacts with each other. Do they seem to get along? Remember, you're interviewing them as much as they are you.
• Do a roleplay interview with a couple of family friends, preferably people you don't know too well. This will enhance the illusion of the interview than if you practiced with friends.
• Keep eye contact with the rest of the group when answering a question.

Have you ever had a group interview? Did you find it harder than a regular one? Share your experiences in the comments section.

Featured Nonprofit Job: Regional Director

The PACE Center for Girls, based in Jacksonville, Fl., is looking to hire a Regional Director to help run the overall operations of all the agency's centers in Florida. Applicants may reside in any area in the state.

The Regional Director supports multiple Executive Directors (5-6) and community based Boards of Directors (5-6) in their region, serves as the Chief Executive of the region and is responsible for leadership and management development and support, board and resource development, marketing, and training needs of the assigned team members to ensure all performance goals are exceeded. The chosen candidate will also be responsible for the coordination and collaboration between PACE Centers in the region.

Other duties include:

• Coaching and training to support Executive Directors;
• Building the PACE brand both internally and externally; and,
• Serve as a member of the PACE Center for Girls, Inc. Executive Leadership Team.

This position is ideal for those individuals who have strong leadership skills and are comfortable managing large groups. If you are interested in applying, make sure you meet the following requirements:

• Minimum of 10+year direct work experience in relationship management and managing staff.
• Thorough knowledge of the characteristics and financial needs of education and social service agencies.
• Proven expertise in understanding of financial statements, program operations and policies and procedures; and be current on events and activities in the social service and education fields.
• Management level understanding of education and social service programs with at-risk populations.
• Strong presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal capability.
•  Demonstrated success at resource development and leadership coaching. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

You can ;earn more about this job on our career center, including information on how to apply.

The Pros And Cons Of Setting A Job Search Deadline

Setting goals during your job search is hardly a new phenomenon. Whether it's applying to a certain number of jobs in a week, or making X number of new networking contacts in a day, goal-setting is a good habit for job seekers. But is it a good idea to set a deadline for getting hired?

There is something to be said for setting this kind of deadline for yourself. While it seems arbitrary, a goal of this kind can really help motivate you. There's nothing more satisfying than meeting a goal that you worked really hard to meet and, if you are in the middle of a rut, it could be just the spark you need to kick-start your job search.

On the other hand, setting a deadline to get a job is a lot of pressure to put on yourself, especially in this economy. Missing a goal can also be demoralizing, especially if you did everything you could to make it a reality. Is a little extra motivation really worth potential disappointment?

Setting a specific date to get a job is ultimately something that will do more harm than good. Setting an arbitrary date for something as important as employment is only setting yourself up for disappointment. This doesn't mean you should take your time trying to get a job. On the contrary, you should work everyday on your various job search activities to improve your chances of being hired. Just don't overwhelm yourself by setting goals for thing you can't control.

What do you think? Voice your opinion on this topic by posting in the comments section below.

Director Of Development Wanted

The Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.), a health and social welfare nonprofit, is looking to hire a Director of Development to help with the organization's fundraising efforts.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development will be responsible for researching potential funding sources for B.E.S.T. from foundations, government agencies, and individual donors. The chosen candidate will also write grant applications, and assist with various projects and events. This is an ideal position for job seekers who already have significant experience in fundraising.

Speaking of qualifications, B.E.S.T. wants all applicants to know that they must meet the following requirements to be considered:

• Five years of experience in nonprofit fundraising.
• Demonstrated success at winning grants from private, public, or individual sources.
• Experience leveraging social media sites as marketing channels for individual donations and creative sources of funding.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Human Services, Public Health, or related field.

Are you interested in this position? Head to our career center to read more about it, including instructions on how to apply.

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.

4 Ways To Get A Job Interview

The best way to get a job interview is to have an impressive resume and cover letter, but those aren't the only things in your control. There are plenty of other techniques that will improve your chances of getting noticed by hiring managers. Below are four tips that will help you accomplish this goal:

• Contact the Employer Before Sending Your Application: Unless the job description specifically asks for no phone calls, you should contact the hiring manager before sending your resume and cover letter. The purpose of your call should be to express your interest in the job, and to give a brief elevator pitch explaining why you are qualified.
• Promise a Follow-Up: End your cover letter with a statement that shows your intention to follow-up with the employer within the next few days. This will show that you are proactive, a quality that is very attractive in potential employees. Of course, if you promise to contact them within a certain time frame, make sure you actually do.
• Have a Purpose With Your Subsequent Follow-Ups: Sometimes you will not hear back from the employer after your initial follow-up call. If you don't hear back within a few weeks of your initial message, try calling the individual again but make sure you have a purpose. For example, you could call to ask whether a timeline has been established for potential interviews.
• Keep a Contact Log: Keep track of all the individuals you have contacted. This log should include a copy of the job description, the file names of the resume and cover you used, contact dates, and the name of the hiring manager with whom you talked.