Nonprofit Career Round-Up: 7/29/2011

It's finally the end of the week, so get started on your weekend plans!  But before you do, check out today's most interesting nonprofit jobs:

• Country Director at American Near East Refugee Aid: This position is located in ANERA's Jerusalem office with travel through West Bank and Gaza, and provides oversight for a staff of 67 development professionals in the country. The country director, reporting directly to the President, will provide the vision and oversight for all aspects of ANERA's in-country operations and development of new business opportunities. S/he is responsible for developing and implementing the approved strategic plan for relief and development projects in the West Bank and Gaza. This includes managing staff, budgets and relationships with partners/funders and headquarters.
• Resource Development Associate at United Way: Responsibilities will include: Managing individual donor & local workplace campaign details including face to face meetings and presentations, donor/prospect research and analysis, preparing database reports, managing logistics for meetings and special events, soliciting sponsorships, handling administrative duties, including correspondence and mailings.
• Associate Director of Prospect Research at Bloomsberg University Foundation: The Associate Director of Prospect Research & Management is a regular full-time professional staff position reporting to the Director of Development. The Associate Director of Prospect Research & Management manages the day-to-day operations of the Donor Research and Information Management Unit and supervises the staff within this unit.

Reasons You Aren't Getting Job Interviews

Here's a familiar story you've probably experienced.  It's been weeks since you last heard back from an employer for a job interview.  The economy is obviously in a rough state, but shouldn't you be hearing back?  The thoughts rush through your head: "My resume must not be good enough."  "Obviously I'm just not fit to be employed."  "Maybe I should start doing some major restructuring to the way I present myself."  Stop right there.  There are times when you should consider changing up your resume to get job interviews.  Before you start doing that, however, you should determine if that really is the problem. 

• Are you applying to the right positions?  In the rush to get a job, we can run into bad habits.  One of these is not reading job descriptions carefully enough.  Skimming may be faster, but you can miss important details that might make you realize you aren't a great fit for the organization.
• Online job boards are a fantastic tool for job searching, but they shouldn't be your only source.  Use social media, traditional networking, or other sources in addition.  We call resources like these the hidden job market.  Remember, not every job is publicly advertised.  If you do a little research, you might find opportunities you didn't expect.
• I've said it before and I'll say it again: Don't hold out for your dream job.  It's good to have high standards, but that shouldn't prevent you from applying to jobs that might not be exactly what you want to do.  As long as the position in question matches your level of expertise, there is no reason you shouldn't try it out.  Limiting your options only decreases the chances you will hear back.

These are just some of the things you should be keeping in mind if you aren't getting job interviews.  If you have any other suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments section.

NPT Jobs Recommends: 7/28/2011

Can you believe it's almost August?  There have been a lot of great and not so have great things that have happened already in July.  On the good side, the NFL lockout ended.  But we also had stagnant unemployment numbers, and the current debt-ceiling crisis in DC.  What are your thoughts on July now that it is nearing its end?  Leave your comments after you check out today's recommended articles:

• 'Top 8 Excuses for Not Netowrking'-When we put our minds to it, we can come up with excuses not to do anything.  It's important to avoid that urge when it comes to important things like networking.  Check out this list of bad excuses compiled by CareerSherpa.
• 'How To: Generate Creative Energy for Your Job Search'-A task as difficult as the job search often requires great creativity on the part of the job seeker.  The AvidCareerist will help you get on the right path to come up with some great idea.
• '5 Ways to Improve Your Cover Letter Introduction'-Another great piece from GreatResumesFast on cover letters. This article focuses on the all important cover letter introduction.

Nonprofit Career Round-Up: 7/28/2011

Here are today's top nonprofit jobs:

• Not-For-Profit Accountant at Paralyzed Veterans of America: Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), a large downtown non-profit organization, is seeking a full-time Accountant for its Finance department. Successful candidate will be a self-starter, well organized, motivated, dependable, punctual, possess good oral/written skills and be able to work without direct supervision. Candidate should have proficient computer skills in Excel, accounting software packages and report writing software.
• Development Director at Guideposts: We are currently seeking a Development Director to join our team. This position works with and supports the development and implementation of major gift/leadership giving strategies and programs and planned giving and is an integral part of the Guideposts’ Philanthropy team.
• Magazine Production Manager at United Spinal Association: We seek to hire an experienced production manager and graphic artist familiar with pre-press processes who has at least 3 years experience in print and digital design and production. Preference will be given to those experienced in four-color magazine design and production.

The Art of Networking With Friends

Career networking isn't always just meeting people you don't know.  You will find that some of the best contacts you have are some of your best friends or family.  Yet often times we ignore working these individuals.  The thought goes that since these people know us the best, there is no need to update them on what is going on with our careers.  This couldn't be further from the truth.  So if you haven't been doing it, you should start networking with your friends more often.

Networking with your friends is an art form.  In certain ways, it can be harder than connecting with a complete stranger.  Because you are so comfortable with this person, it can be easy to just take your friendship with this person for granted.  That's why it's never a good idea to start out by asking for help.  Find out what they have been up to lately first.  Treat it as though you are having a normal conversation.  After they have finished, you can begin to describe your unemployment situation. 

When it comes to your friends potential connections, you should wait until they offer them to you before asking them.  If you noticed they have a connection at a nonprofit you always wanted to work for, you should not immediately ask if your resume can be sent to this contact.  You should first describe how you have been looking for work in the nonprofit sector.  If your friend thinks it is appropriate, they will more than likely tell you about the contact you desire.  Make sure to thank them if this is possible, and also ask if it would be possible to meet this contact in person.

Finally, make sure to return the favor.  Nobody likes the friend that is only there when they need help.  Always ask if there is anything you can do to help them out as well.  Maybe they know somebody that also needs help finding a job.  Or perhaps they are also out of work and could use some contacts themselves.  Whatever the case, make sure to offer whatever assistance you can.  As is the case with regular networking, this will make your friend even more willing to help you out.

NPT Jobs Recommends: 7/27/2011

Here are today's recommended job articles:

• 'Optimize your Resume, Craft Compelling Objectives'-The 'objective' header on your resume is more important than you might think.  Read this article from ResumeBear to find out how to create one that will catch an employer's eye.
• 'How to Identify Hiring Manager Contact Information'-Sometimes finding the information for an organization's hiring manager can be difficult.  Job-hunt.org gives tips on how to find them.
• 'Think Before You Speak'-In a similar vain as my post today, CareerSherpa.net advocates thinking before you say anything to a hiring manager (or in networking).

Nonprofit Career Round-Up: 7/27/2011

Here are today's top nonprofit jobs:

• VP of Program & Youth Development Services at Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Under the limited direction of the Senior Vice President, Program & Youth Development Services, the Vice President, Program & Youth Development Services is responsible for the development, management and leadership of the education, technology, and the arts initiatives that support Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s strategic goals in supporting Clubs. This position will serve as BGCA’s primary visionary resident expert in education.
• Senior Financial Analyst at Girls Scouts of Greater Los Angeles: As the largest girl-serving organization in the nation, an annual operating budget of $14M, we are seeking an experienced and energetic Senior Financial Analyst to add to our Finance team. The position is located at our headquarters in Downtown Los Angeles.
• Community Representative at ACS of Ft. Wayne: American Cancer Society (ACS) of Ft Wayne, seeks a professional, energetic individual to serve as a generalist responsible for Fundraising, Advocacy and Cancer Control. Also responsible for recruiting, training, managing and utilizing volunteers while establishing volunteer committees throughout parts of the twelve counties it serves.