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.

Asking For A Job Reference

One of the best ways to get a nonprofit job is to get a reference from an employee that already works there. This is obviously a lot easier if you already know that person, but what do you do when you don't have any contacts?

Without having some connection the referral, it's unwise to ask for a reference. But just because you don't know anybody at the nonprofit doesn't mean your networking contacts don't. Check your LinkedIn account to see if there is anybody in your network that has connections at the nonprofit. If there's someone that you know fairly well who has connections, send a message asking if they can help you get in touch with the person in question.

Familiarity is key with references. You need to be sure that your contact knows this person well enough to ask for a referral, so be sure to ask this. Your contact should also know you well enough to be able to accurately describe your skills and experience. The better he/she knows you, the more likely they will be able to convince the potential reference that you would be a good fit for the organization.

Here are some other things to keep in mind:

• If you do happen to know someone at the nonprofit to which you are applying, precede your request for a reference with an explanation of why you would be a good fit at the organization. This should be no more than three or four sentences.
• Take no for an answer. Your reputation will suffer if you try to convince the person to change their mind.
• Offer to buy your contact lunch to discuss the situation further. This is a nice gesture and will give you an opportunity to explain anything you want he/she to know.
• Remember to send a thank-you note to your contact if they provide you with a reference, even if you don't end up getting the job.

Featured Nonprofit Job: Associate Director Of Policy Advocacy

Do you want the chance to work for an organization that ranked #9 on our 50 Best Nonprofits to Work For in 2012? Now is your chance with this latest featured nonprofit job.

Based in Washington, D.C., the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) is looking for an Associate Director of Policy Advocacy to assist with promoting the organization's core mission of protecting the planet's natural resources. The chosen candidate will work with NRDC's Director of Policy Advocacy on various institutional matters, serve as liaison to the nonprofit's program and communications staff, interface with NRDC's executive leadership, provide budget guidance, and offer issue campaign advice for strategic priorities.

The Associate Director of Policy Advocacy will also be responsible for the following:

• Assist in aligning NRDC's campaign efforts with organizational objectives;
• Contribute to senior NRDC institutional committees and help in the development and implementation of overall issue campaign strategies;
• Provide budgetary review and assistance;
• Assist Director with staff management and preparation of materials;
•  As needed, represent NRDC in various contexts to external stakeholders, coalition partners, the general public and the media; and,
• Provide strategic advice to NRDC programs and departments.

Now that you know the basic responsibilities of the job, it's time to determine whether you have the correct qualifications. NRDC requires all applicants to meet the following requirements to be considered for the position:

• Demonstrated ability to build consensus, develop effective coalitions and manage collaborative projects;
• Strong communication/writing skills;
• 10+ years of political, policy advocacy or issue campaign experience;
• Broad knowledge of environmental policy a plus;
• bility to work collegially, be a self-starter, prioritize multiple projects, and perform well under deadlines; and,
• Advanced degree in environmental policy, public administration, non-profit management, related field or equivalent is preferred.

To read more about this job, including directions on how to apply, visit The NonProfit Times' career center. Good luck!

Want To Be A Major Gifts Officer?

Are you an experienced fundraiser ready to take on the challenges of major gifts? If the answer to that question is "yes," then Community Action Services and Food Bank could use your services.

The Provo, UT-based organization is looking to hire a Major Gifts Officer to help cultivate donors and foundations capable of high-end gifts. The chosen candidate will accomplish this by developing and managing relationships with donors, prospective donors, and private foundations. Other duties include:

• Establish and work toward meeting specific financial goals;
• Develop long-term philanthropic relationships with existing and potential high dollar donors;
• Solicit individual donations in telephone and face-to-face meetings;
• Oversee foundation outreach;
• Represent the agency’s point of view accurately and actively to the public;
• Willingness and ability to accept additional projects and responsibilities as necessary;
• Complete research to identify individual prospects and donors; and,
• Prepare regular status reports on budget projections, proposals pending, and cultivation process

Major gift cultivation is a tough task, and requires significant experience in fundraising. Below are some other qualifications that Community Action Services and Food Bank is looking for in applicants:

• Two to four years progressive experience in fundraising development, with most recent experience in major gifts preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated record of completing assignments.   
• Ability to understand the needs and interests of leadership and major gift donors.
• Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in related field.
• Broad knowledge of the principles of fundraising with individuals and foundations.
• Proven expertise in taking initiative, and building and maintaining strong rapport and positive relationships with diverse audiences.
• Personal belief in mission, vision, values and goals of the agency.

If you meet all of the above qualifications, head to our career center to read more about the job, including directions on how to apply.

Job Search Rules For The Digital Age

The job search is a lot different now that we are in the digital age. While technology has made things a lot easier for job seekers, it also has the potential to hurt your chances if you don't use it properly.

It all starts with your Facebook page. You've probably already heard people say that you need to remove inappropriate photos from your profile, but that's only the start. Go through all of your comments and delete any that contain profanity or anything else that can be construed as offensive. This also applies to what you list as your interests, favorite movies, etc. Finally, you should change your privacy settings so that only your friends can view your wall. This is a necessity if you have friends who tend to be inappropriate with their postings.

The next thing that you need to change is your voice mail. Your friends probably think your outgoing message is hilarious, but employers won't be amused. You shouldn't give the caller any reason to hang up, so make sure to use a standard greeting.

A similar rule applies to your e-mail address. It's a good idea to create a new account for your job search activities. Not only will you avoid having to apply to a job with a less than professional account name, you will also spare yourself the work of having to separate personal e-mails from job search ones.

People today are used to being able to answer calls or text messages while doing work, but this is not appropriate when you are in the middle of a job interview. To avoid any potential distractions, you should completely turn off your cell phone. Leaving it on vibrate is not an option, as you will still be aware when you are getting a call or a text. It's better to not know when you are being contacted when you are trying to answer important questions.

Featured Nonprofit Job: Public Policy Associate

The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) in Washington, D.C. is looking to hire a Public Policy Associate. Read on to find out more about this newest nonprofit job.

Reporting directly to the Director of Public Policy, this position is responsible for supporting the organization's day-to-day advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and federal agencies. When you're not busy on the government scene, you will have a wide array of other responsibilities, including:

• Providing administrative support for public policy;
• Conducting policy research, writing and editing and issues analysis;
• Acting as a liaison to governmental and non-governmental organizations, and Association board committees;
• Helping support the planning and administration of the annual National Legislative Summit; and,
• Developing and oversee distribution of a variety of information materials.

Sound interesting to you? Before you click that "apply" button, you should be aware of the qualifications that ACCT is looking for in its applicants. Make sure that you meet the following requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, government or related field with 1 – 3 years related experience in legislative affairs as legislative aide, lobbyist, analyst, or staff for a government agency.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have ability to exercise sound judgment, initiative and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Must have the ability to work as a team member and able to deal effectively and courteously with supervisor, peers, and governmental agencies and their representatives.
• Must be familiar with and interested in working with elected and appointed college governing boards that represent their communities.

Once you are sure that you meet the above credentials, head over to our career center to find out how you can apply for this position.

5 Ways To Improve Your Job Search Results

Is your job search going a little slow for your taste? You're definitely not alone on that front. Job seekers all over the country are struggling to find work in an economy that is still sluggish. There is no magic button that you can press that will make things better, but there are some techniques that will help you improve your chances.

Since you are just one of many people looking for work, you are going to have to make sure that your job application stands out from the competition. Here are five ways to do just that:

• Think like an employer. This means you need to explain how your experience and skills will specifically benefit the organization. Don't assume the hiring manager will be able to connect the dots.
• Use buzz words. Key words should be sprinkled throughout your resume. These will help your application come up first if the employer uses an applicant tracking system. If you are unsure which words to use, look at the job description the employer posted and see which phrases are most prevalent.
• Network. Not all jobs will be posted online, so making contacts will be crucial to your job search efforts. It's also much easier to get hired if you can get a good recommendation from someone who already works at the organization.
• Know your strengths. Highlight your strongest accomplishments from your previous jobs. Employers are more interested in what you accomplished than where you worked.
• Make goals. Create a list of what you want to accomplish each day. It's much easier to stay focused when you have attainable goals you can reach. For example, you can make it a point to apply to three jobs a day or make two new networking contacts.