by Jay | Jun 29, 2025 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers, Nonprofit Employers
Understanding how different recruiters operate can help both companies and professionals navigate the hiring process more effectively. Here’s a generalized comparison of contingency and retained recruiters from both perspectives. For Employers: Choosing the... by Cameron Kobes | May 23, 2017 | Advice, Featured, Management, Recruiters
In Karen Alphonse’s four-part article series, she addresses the various aspects of hiring and recruiting in the higher levels of the nonprofit sector. In her third part of the series, “References: How to Get Great Input, Part Three” she addresses the best way to... by 0187289787602 | Apr 19, 2016 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
We’ve all heard the saying, “It takes a village.” While most often applied to building community and raising children, this adage can be widely applicable to many other life endeavors including the job search process. You probably already seek at least a little... by Karen Alphonse | Dec 2, 2014 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers, Management
Question: Our company is about to hire a new COO who will manage the whole finance department. We want to be very sure she has strong interpersonal and technical skills. We have spoken to all of her listed references, and, while they have been off the charts, I... by Karen Alphonse | Mar 25, 2014 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: I have a feeling one of my references is not giving me a good evaluation. In my last set of interviews, the prospective employer seemed very enthusiastic about hiring me. But, after conducting reference checks, he refused to return my phone calls. What can I do... by Karen Alphonse | Oct 8, 2013 | Advice, Featured, Management, Recruiters
Q: I am part of the senior leadership team at a national not-for-profit. We are hiring a new executive director, and I was asked to review references for the two finalists. Most of the references were superb. However, there was a reference for one of the candidates... by Karen Alphonse | Jul 30, 2013 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: I have been a professor for the past 15 years and would like to serve the not-for-profit sector in a leadership capacity. I have tried everything from applying online and following up on job board posts to responding to newspaper ads. Nothing has even resulted in... by Karen Alphonse | Sep 25, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: You suggest as a search strategy to build relationships with a range of organizations within my field. Building those relationships seems like a long-term strategy. Is there networking I can do in the short run to improve my chances of locating my next position?... by Karen Alphonse | Feb 6, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
This series covered all aspects of the reference process. Part One covered working with references as they relate to the candidate. Part Two focused on engaging with the references themselves, and Part Three put the ideas into practice through the reference check... by Karen Alphonse | Jan 23, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
In parts One and Two of this four-part series, I outlined the “homework” required to best prepare yourself, a candidate and a reference for a formal reference interview. In this entry, details of the actual process, from questions to ask to delivering the results, are... by Karen Alphonse | Jan 16, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
In Part One of this series, I outlined the homework I do with regard to references before placing the formal reference checking call as it relates to the candidate. Today, that homework process continues to unfold with a focus on the references. Preparing the... by Karen Alphonse | Dec 5, 2011 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers, Recruiters
Many organizations are familiar with using references in the final phases of search to support or eliminate one winning candidate. References can serve equally critical functions, however, beyond giving you data about your proposed “winner.” In this four-part series,... by Carmel Napolitano | Jan 26, 2011 | Advice, Featured, Recruiters
Often, new clients relay horror stories about how a hire did not work out. And, time after time, they reveal they never checked references. (What??!!) So, to help avoid some predictable problems, here are my suggested “Rules of Reference” for hiring: Request at least... by Fredia Woolf | Feb 3, 2010 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers, Recruiters
A critical differentiator between you and other equally qualified candidates competing for the same job is what people say about you. These days, employers are taking more time doing background checks on people because the risk of hiring someone “blind” is just too...