by Karen Alphonse | Jul 10, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: I live in Portugal and want to relocate to the United States. I work for an international educational and economic development organization. My spouse is a physician and has limited English speaking skills. I am fluent in English. However, it has been a while... by Karen Alphonse | May 29, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: I am a very Senior (C-Suite) executive and I want to redo my resume. Should it be chronological or functional? What do you suggest? A: As a senior executive, you have many options for creating a sophisticated resume. These days, you do not necessarily need to... by Karen Alphonse | May 22, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: I am an in-house candidate in a hot, national executive director search. I know everyone on the Search Committee as well as many of the key stakeholders. How can I competitively present myself? What steps should I take to have them take me seriously? A: Your... by Karen Alphonse | May 1, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: I was born, bred and educated in the Midwest. Since graduation three years ago, I have been working as a program director at a local not for profit. My particular program has been quite successful. However, the organization is in jeopardy because of the loss of... by Karen Alphonse | Apr 24, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Management, Recruiters
Q: How can a talent acquisition specialist/recruiter help our organization? Our budget has been cut, and people just don’t see value in outsourcing human resource functions. A: An experienced recruiter can add immediate value to your search for top talent. A good... by Karen Alphonse | Apr 10, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers, Management, Recruiters
Q: Are cover letters useful? I hear employers are not reading them anymore. A: We are in a new world of employment, and protocols are evolving. In the past, employers relied on cover letters as both a screening device and as a way to decide whether an applicant... by Karen Alphonse | Feb 27, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: I have been Senior Accountant and Chief Financial Officer at two organizations. I just saw a posting for an Assistant Comptroller (less responsible) role at a well-respected nonprofit in DC. The salary in the new role is comparable to my current salary. Should... 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 | Jan 9, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers, Management
In this series, we have taken a closer look at the pieces that comprise a total search process from Defining the Opportunity to Identifying Talent. In this last installment of my three-part series, the focus is on initiating the search process and the role of a... by Karen Alphonse | Dec 12, 2011 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers, Management
Conducting a search for new talent is a cumbersome task. Trying to decide whether or not to involve a recruiter is another important, if not intimidating, aspect of the process. In my previous post, I outlined two specific areas of consideration with regard to... 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 Karen Alphonse | Nov 14, 2011 | Advice, Featured, Management, Recruiters
Your organization can directly benefit by partnering with an experienced recruiter to conduct specific key search functions. Recruiters can help attract talent, screen likely candidates and check the background and work history of your preferred candidate(s) in... by Laura Gassner Otting | Oct 4, 2011 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Before you step over the threshold of an interviewer’s office door, you better be prepared to impress them with well thought out answers to questions you haven’t even yet heard. Most questions can be anticipated, but you should always be prepared for the unexpected.... by 0187289787602 | Aug 19, 2011 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
I honestly cannot believe that I look back at certain aspects my life and know somebody, somewhere considers them old fashioned. I’m not talking about the fact that we used to have to get up, go over to the television and turn a knob to change stations, nor am I... by 0187289787602 | Aug 12, 2011 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Where were you when you first heard your parents were 40 years old? (Indeed, this moment is burned in our memories with many other “Where were you when’s …”) I was in our family’s garage with my friend Lisa swapping what felt forbidden information about our... by 0187289787602 | Aug 9, 2011 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
When thumbing through the newspaper this weekend, an article caught my eye. “The Accidental Cartoonist,” provides some insight into the career development of Robert Trussell. A writer and reporter for the Kansas City Star for decades, Trussell writes that his... by 0187289787602 | Jul 29, 2011 | Advice, Job Seekers
I’m a pretty no-frills kind of person – a lifestyle I adopted and ultimately embraced once I was out of college and left to my own devices. I listen to financial radio shows for tips, I almost always buy store-brand/generic products, and a mantra around our house is,... by 0187289787602 | Jul 25, 2011 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
I admit it’s been quite some time since I’ve been part of an active job search putting together my resume, sending it out, making that follow-up phone call to make sure the resume arrived … See? I told you it’s been a while. That follow-up phone call suggestion wasn’t... by 0187289787602 | Jul 12, 2011 | Featured, Job Seekers
Transitions and turnovers are a natural part of the process is any workplace, and the nonprofit sector is no exception. It is anticipated, expected and – hopefully – planned for in such a way that the transition is smooth. The Daring to Lead 2011 study provides their... by Carmel Napolitano | Mar 1, 2011 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Back in September, I wrote the post, “Is Switching To the Nonprofit Sector the Right Choice For You?” It generated many comments – all saying it is worth making the switch. Since then, through my work as a recruiter, I’ve spoken with many seeking to switch into the... by Sandra Sims | Feb 1, 2011 | Featured, Job Seekers, News
If you’ve been working in the nonprofit sector for any length of time, you probably have your share of opinions about what it’s like to work for a nonprofit. It can be a joy, rewarding in many ways. At other times, it can be just as stressful as any... by Fredia Woolf | Jan 25, 2011 | Advice, Job Seekers
“I am not blessed with patience,” said Kevin when he stepped into my office. He had been laid off from a Vice-president’s position seven weeks ago, and he was feeling restless, scattered and out of control. At the end of our time together, he was calmer, more... by Fredia Woolf | Jan 7, 2011 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers, Management
The New Year is always filled with tips for a fresh start for your career. But, what if you are not in the mood for all of the wholesome advice coming your way at this time of year? What if you are fed up with your situation, but an artificial date is no reason to... by Fredia Woolf | Dec 24, 2010 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers, Management
No matter how senior you are in your organization or how secure you believe is your position, you would do well to take an entrepreneurial attitude toward your career. It is comforting to believe others will take care of you, and it’s easy to become either... by Fredia Woolf | Dec 17, 2010 | Advice, Job Seekers
What are the reasons we work? – To earn money – To be a contributing member of society – To have an outlet to use our education, talents and skills – To give some structure to our days – To give us a place to... by Fredia Woolf | Nov 12, 2010 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
I spent some time this week listening to the sage advice of marketing gurus who share the mission to teach small business owners and operators how to attract more clients. As I listened, I realized that what they were talking about is applicable, with some tweaking,... by Carmel Napolitano | Sep 22, 2010 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
There is good reason beyond seeking a mission driven career to consider making a move to work in the nonprofit sector. Despite the economic downturn of the last two years, the sector continues to grow. In 2000, the number of nonprofits was about 800,000. By 2009, the... by Karen Alphonse | Jul 28, 2010 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Last week, a client contacted me with the question, “How should I update my resume to meet this market?” I quickly realized that talking about updating the resume is just the beginning of the story because when seeking a new position, it’s not just about the resume... by Fredia Woolf | Apr 30, 2010 | Advice, Job Seekers
My last blog, “In Praise of the Simple Life,” portrayed a state of mellowness and contemplative calm. How sad that such a balanced stance does not seem sustainable. Having thought I found the “answers” to dealing with the stresses and strains of work and life, let me... by Fredia Woolf | Feb 24, 2010 | Advice, Job Seekers, News
Tania Jones’ job search lasted ten months, one week and five days. She counted each one of them. Unexpectedly laid off in the depths of the 2009 job slump, she was diligent and proactive in sending out her resume and seeking out contacts and opportunities. But,... 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... by Fredia Woolf | Jan 26, 2010 | Advice, Job Seekers
What is the current picture of the career marketplace? Some statistics are downright dispiriting. For example, the US Labor Department reports 7.2 million jobs lost in the US economy from December 2007 to December 2009, and a recent study shows that two thirds of... by Fredia Woolf | Jan 5, 2010 | Advice, Job Seekers
Our friend Nicholas is back from the holidays. He was determined to restart his job search with vigor and focus. But as so often before, this feeling of resolve and optimism has dissolved into sporadic activity and apathy. So, what should Nicholas do to get his job... by Fredia Woolf | Dec 29, 2009 | Advice, Job Seekers
As a new year beckons, it’s time for new hopes and resolutions, and it’s time to let the struggles and disappointments of the old year just float away. If you are seeking a new job, it is time to hatch your campaign plans and try new approaches with a... by Fredia Woolf | Dec 1, 2009 | Advice, Job Seekers
We all know changing jobs is one of the most stressful of human activities. The job search itself can be a lengthy trial testing the hardiest of souls. It is fraught with pitfalls, traps and treacherous moments that can derail you at any time. Knowing how to use... by Jay | Nov 17, 2009 | Advice, Job Seekers
Are all of your job search eggs in one basket? I once knew a guy who applied to about 100 jobs and got two call backs. First of all, those aren’t great odds and tells me something isn’t right. But, second, and even worse than the outcome of his odds, was... by Fredia Woolf | Nov 10, 2009 | Advice, Job Seekers
Have you ever wondered if there is something you are doing wrong in your job search? I am not suggesting that it’s your fault if your search stumbles or gets stale – it’s a very tough market out there – but there may well be times you do foul up. So, if you do,... by Nichole E | Oct 5, 2009 | Advice, Job Seekers
There’s definitely something to be said for having a good education. After all, you wouldn’t have gotten where you are if you hadn’t obtained your degree right? So why stop there? If there’s anything the current economy has taught us,... by Fredia Woolf | Sep 15, 2009 | Advice, Job Seekers
Another critical “Re” you need to master to conduct a successful job search is Research. With the internet, it has never been easier to find information about people and organizations, but that in itself can be problematic because people are often intimidated into... by Fredia Woolf | Sep 8, 2009 | Advice, Job Seekers
A New Model for Your Job Search – Part 4: Relationships We have seen how by focusing on keeping yourself Resilient and by creating a Resume that markets your accomplishments, you are creating the conditions for achieving a successful Result in your job search.... by Fredia Woolf | Sep 1, 2009 | Advice, Job Seekers
Concentrating your attention to the four “Re’s” that you can influence is more likely to lead to a productive job search than vainly focusing on the Result. In the last post, we discussed how to think about your Resumé, and today, we look at another critical factor... by Fredia Woolf | Aug 25, 2009 | Advice, Job Seekers
Last time, we talked about refocusing your job search energies from the Result, which is beyond your control, to the other four “Re’s” that you can do something about. Today let’s look at the first “Re”, your resumé. Isn’t it interesting that the rich and varied... by Nichole E | Aug 16, 2009 | Advice, Job Seekers
I’ve done a bit of traveling this year, and if there’s one thing I’ve gained from it, it’s that there are always doors waiting to be opened. Some of these doors are found at industry conferences. Part of my travel involved attending such... by Fredia Woolf | Aug 15, 2009 | Advice, Job Seekers
Searching for work can be tedious and stressful in the best of times. While there are those lucky few who somehow always seem to find themselves in the right place at the right time, there are the rest of us who have a lot of heavy lifting to do before we land any job... by Nichole E | Aug 7, 2009 | Job Seekers
As tough as the job market is, there are some people with secure jobs who are still wanting to change their present situations. Whether you’re unhappy with your present situation or simply looking for a more fulfilling opportunity, it’s in your best... by Nichole E | Jul 22, 2009 | Advice, Job Seekers
When hunting for a new job, your references often have the big say as to whether or not you get the job. While hiring managers don’t necessarily take the word of a former employer as gospel, what a former employer says may carry weight in regard to getting you... by Nichole E | Jul 9, 2009 | Advice, Job Seekers
I remember a time almost five years ago when I was out of work. It wasn’t long into my unemployment when I got into a comfortable routine of getting up in the morning and looking over the paper with my coffee. Still situated comfortably in my pajamas, I would... by Michele Allen | Jul 7, 2009 | Job Seekers, Recruiters
Whether you’re a job seeker looking for a new position or a recruiter seeking your next potential new hire, be prepared to sell yourself! Effectively selling yourself or your business is a key component in successful networking, and there’s no better way to get the...