If you are one of the millions of people out of work and having a hard time finding employment – because you are over-qualified or because you are now applying to an area out of your most recent specialization, you had better get right to work making a new resume that actually shows you want to do type of work you are applying for!

Let’s face it, ALL employers are afraid to hire over qualified applicants because they think they are going to jump right back into upper management (at a different company) as soon as opportunity arises! This is what you are trying to avoid.

Here is an example: showing on your resume you were a VP for the past three positions is not going to help you get a support or management position. So, always think carefully about what entries to include on your resume. You do not have to include everything! Make sure always be truthful (or it may come back to haunt you) but, that being said if you have a ton of experience perhaps only showing the past eight to ten years of DIRECTLY APPLICABLE experience is a better bet for you. No one wants to hire someone unless they are FOCUSED. This is you new goal in writing your resume. In a perfect world your resume should show the same title as what you are applying for, and or information that most directly applies to the position you are interested in.

The main reason people do not get a job they want is because they do not have prior experience in the industry or because they did not take the time to fully make an appropriate resume. Candidates regularly spend hours writing a cover letter describing their prior work and applicable experience, but make the HUGE mistake not list the EXACT same information on your resume. BLAM! This is a huge no-no. Go the extra mile. Read this blog, and at the end you will be better informed about the REAL TRUTH about how to get a job, and what HR is really thinking.

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How to negotiate your salary without loosing ground or the job.

There are many approaches to successfully negotiating your salary, what I am going to share with you are helpful tips to better prepare yourself for the process.

The most important thing to remember is to never, ever, jeopardize your overall employment offer. This may seem obvious but, most job seekers, represent themselves poorly when it comes down to this stage, and we have seen many positions lost over the way final candidate asks for a greater salary.

So always remember not to act or appear to be hard to work with, or high maintenance, or too self-focused. Many people try to get too much, start naming the infinite details and difficulties in commuting to the position, or throw things in at the last minute. To the employer this only makes you appear to have a smaller likelihood of staying in the position for any long period of time.

KEY POINT #1: “Always negotiate with positive facts, not negative ones!”

To avoid this, let’s talk about what your general approach should be. The first rule is that salary negotiation preparation should not occur after your second round interview. Before you have ever met with the organization or had your first interview you should already know what you will ask for, and how much that is in dollars.

Here is why, and this is biggest mistake jobseekers make. If you dot know what you will ask for, than you have not discovered if you fit into their offered target salary range. If you fit their target, great there may even be no need to negotiate in any great way. But if you learn that you will require more than what is offered, introducing this information in the beginning of the process (early) will help you immensely in some situations, and in others may hurt you. Timing is the most important thing in salary negotiating.

We have staff hundreds of nonprofit positions, and for candidates that fall outside the salary range organizations are more understanding and open to candidates that assert their financial requirements early in the process. But are not flexible in the least, if they learn this information at the end point of the job offer. So always try to be honest, prepared, and tell them as early as reasonably possible in the process.

What dictates on when you should tell the organization your salary requirements? First consider if the person you are sending your resume and cover letter to is a decision maker or a gate keeper. Each requires a different approach.

Gate-keeper : HR, Coordinator, Office Manager, or Executive Assistant.
Decision-maker: actual hiring manager.

Never tell the gate-keeper that you want more than what is offered, b/c they do not have the power to expand salaries, and were normally already told to stick to their offered salary range. Also they may not make what you are seeking, and may view you as selfish or greedy. Only the decision maker, will actually consider you fully if you are outside the range. Otherwise your resume will never be passed on. The gate closes.

But, If the person you are offering your resume to is the decision-maker then offering your salary requirements early if you know that you will not fit their normal pay scale/range is by far best approach and here’s why:

Let me alleviate a fear…
People’s biggest fear regarding this is that the organization will not interview them if they knew that they are seeking more any others. But this is not true. They don’t have to pay anything to interview you. And the organization is always looking and valuing the skills you possess and your overall potential fit over anything else for first round interviews.

A clean statement is the best way to ask for the salary that you hope for.

Ex: I am available to interview at your convenience and require salary for full time employment of 70 to 80k.

Why give a span? Everyone wants to feel like they are getting a deal. Even in hiring someone. I am not saying to tall them you require 79,999.95, but you get the idea.

Moving your research and decision making process to the beginning instead of the end of the job search and interview process will make you appear more professional, focused, clear, direct, and prepared. Successfully establishing your cost early in the process also allows you to establish the value in hiring you. If not, many times organizations will have already established your value/cost to be less than what you are seeking.

Now let’s talk preparation: here is what you should do not matter you’re your experience level is in order to negotiate properly.

(1) Know the market
Get a salary survey, but never quote it.
• Read others: Professionals for Nonprofits, has one for NYC/DC
• Dice has one for IT many other organizations offer them.
• Using one to tell the organization their salary is low as a quote or example will only hurt you, they already know what they offer, and no one likes to be told they are wrong or disorganized. That is why it is important to know the information, but to be careful of how you use it. You are still being judged at this point, do not get too comfortable, to buddy-buddy, be professional thankful and constant.

(2) Know your organization
The first rule here is this: the organization set the limits and it is not just the market. People have been debating nonprofit salaries for quite some time–regarding organizations that do not pay the full market for their talent. This is very true, but is not 100% across the board.
This is why you must first understand how the prospective organization traditionally pays before entering into negotiations.
So Do:
• Read their annual report
• Read their website
• Understand their structure
• Talk to their old employees, if you can
• Read about them on yelp
• Ask your colleagues about their knowledge of the organization
• In some situations you may even be able to even ask to talk to the person in the position prior or currently to get more specific information. Also, if you ask to this, it only appears that you are smart, organized and are serious about the position.
• Examine the other positions that the organization is also recruiting for to see how they compare. (there is always a trend)
• Examine for changes: Look to see if they have been bringing on a lot of new blood into the org? If so, they may be bringing in new salaries as well.

Get to know your organization!
The whole point is to understand the organizations limits, or openness to flexible salary options.
Some orgs only give what is on the job description

Lastly, know the job…
(1) Know the hours of how much work is required
(2) Know the responsibilities. Do you have specialized knowledge where others are hard to find? if so you have more power.
(3) Know the costs it would take to work there. (parking, and tolls so on.)
(4) Know the search. Make sure to ask how long the job has been open, always ask this! This is one of the best questions you can ask at a job interview.

If it has been open for quite some time, normally you will have more room to negotiate because they have been having a nard time filling the position. The general rule is the longer the position has been on the market, the more that the organization is willing to pay to get someone.

Conclusion
Understanding how you fit in as a candidate from the view point of the organization is also the key to understanding how much you should ask for, and when to assert your interests.

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People normally – if the are unemployed for a long period of time because of a shift in industry demand– either are no longer looking in the exact industry they hold experience in or are seeking work in a industry that has dried up for now.

That is why – you should always be very careful, or try to prepare the best you can before changes occur (if at all possible – most people do not have control over such timing).

As you probably know already, or are now discovering, changing industries is quite difficult to do, and sometimes can be unrealistic without first volunteering and gaining significant additional experience in the area you are trying to enter.

Generally speaking, in times when the economy is just recovering, it is a very bad time to switch industries. This is normally a sure fire way to not find work, unless you are a talented networker with an exceptional background.

Conversely, when unemployment is at it lowest, employers are the most open to considering candidates with experience outside of their industry. Use this information to help you navigate when to make a change.

You may wish to first volunteer or get a part time job in the industry or area you wish to switch into first to order to make the change more feasible.

We here at Scion Staffing are very concerned about individuals being affected by layoffs, and industry shifts. For more information on this subject please see the following helpful article on the subject and also seek help from a professional recruiter and employment coach:

http://www.career-line.com/job-search/how-to-switch-industries-when-your-industry-collapses/

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Picking a staffing company is an important step in finding work or finding staff. We recommend using the smaller and local companies first because they tend to spend more time with their candidates and many times have more interesting jobs. When you are there work with the staffing recruiter to make your resume better. Ask for tips on how to improve it, and ask them if they recommend any other staffing companies in the area.

What To Ask A Staffing Company

The first thing you want to do is find out how to best apply. Here are some suggestions of good questions to ask when calling them.

1.Do you offer open temp interview and registration time slots?
2.What industry they place the most people in?
3.How many perm jobs do they find monthly for people in the area?
4.What do you think the best thing candidates get out of meeting with their company?
5.Are you in need of more candidates in any areas? If so, which?
What to do next?

We recommend registering with two to three staffing options. One small, one large in the area. Always cast a wide next when looking for work though agencies. They have a lot of applicants and can not help everyone. But if you have gone to three and not gotten any work, I would suggest you rework your resume or rethink your approach. After meeting with three you have plenty of good options if you are a viable candidate.

TIP: When you meet them. Ask them if they think you are a viable candidate for immediate work, and if so in what area. If they do not say the area you are interested in, ask them how to improve your resume and profile to be able to get the work you desire. But if you don’t ask, you will never know for sure.

For more information about nonprofit jobs and staffing please see: http://scionnonprofitstaffing.com.

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Reading this is a strong step towards obtaining the job and or new position that you want at a nonprofit or foundation. Congratulations, you have now made a solid and real step towards educating yourself on the possibilities and new career pathways hidden within the sector.

This information is meant to offer you insight into the different cultures of the separate nonprofit industries, and further offers advice on how best to apply and approach the sector you are most interested in.

From Green industries to the Arts, to women’s rights social services this touches on what you need to know in order to be able to apply at one.

Written here is real information about what it takes to get the nonprofit job you want, and also further pathways for adding meat to your resume, nonprofit profile, and employment strategies that actually work.

My name is Isaac Woodrow Schild and I am an nonprofit employment expert. I have been a CEO, President of a staffing company started by nonprofits, an Nonprofit Executive Director, and most importantly a Nonprofit Executive Recruiter and expert in the field– so I know the tricks, realities, and approaches to get you the interview and get you hired that no one else understands.

Think of nonprofits just like any other culture like a club: there is a specific approach for speaking to them, to applying with them, and for entering into them for a new career path.

In my prior years I have helped staff over a thousand nonprofit organizations, foundations and universities to date. And believe me when I tell you that this is a completely different playing field that most corporate cultures, and gaining real and usable nonprofit experience can be a very tricky thing.

I say this not to daunt you, or scare you from doing it, or opening your own nonprofit, but instead to educate you on the real activities that you will have to partake in. It is today that you change your career, and start doing things in your everyday life that start to prepare you for a career in the nonprofit sector.

Its is true that making a difference in your day job to help others is a very fulfilling path, but it is also true that it takes preparation, knowledge and strategy.

Step One: forget everything that you think that you know.

It is a misnomer that the it is a easy to transfer your current experience into the nonprofit sector. It does not matter if you have been a CEO of a large for-profit successful entity, nor a business development professional with over twenty years of experience. To get a job at a foundation, nonprofit organization, or educational institution your prior experience may not even help you in some cases unless you personally started Google, or your name is Hewlett Packard.

It is a general misconception that because private salaries are larger than the nonprofit sector that for-profit professional experience is also worth more. It isn’t. In fact, it is quite the opposite.

Now, what I am not saying is that your prior expertise is not important. If you are lucky enough to be looking to work at a nonprofit in a specialized field the exact same as your previous experience, this will hold more influence.

But where most people fall seeking work in the nonprofit sector, they are instead interested in working in a “related” field to what they had been working in. Sales professionals want to enter into Fundraising, Administrative professionals want to help run nonprofit programs, Consultants want to run Marketing nonprofit departments, Real Estate and Finance professionals want to run housing programs and help social services.

It’s just not that simple. Choosing to work in an area, and also having the specific skills is not the most important thing in landing the job that you want at a nonprofit. If that were true than previous experience would not be required at all. Instead pervious direct experience in the same department, arena, or area is sought. Do you have it already? If you do, then you will still need to apply the principles within this book to successfully obtain the position you desire.

If you are like most candidates, the good news is, there are ways around this barrier, but it takes work, devotion, and a willingness to create documentation, resumes, and information about yourself. The number one reason that people fail to land the job that hey want in the nonprofit sector is because they choose to not put the time and work into demonstrating you are a viable nonprofit candidate.

Getting a job at a nonprofit, is not just as easy as submitting a resume, making a follow-up phone call, and dropping a thank you note after an interview. Though it is true that all these things are a good idea, it is also even more true that you must first demonstrate to prospective nonprofit employers that you fit them much closer than you ever though required in the past, or in the for-profit sector.
Tip one: be mission driven.

Tip two: volunteer in the area you want to work, and in the position/or department you want obtain. From there you are just a hop, skip, and jump away from your dream job!

For more information about nonprofit jobs and staffing please see: http://scionnonprofitstaffing.com.

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Look, first off, if you think that calling a career coach or job coach is going to allow you to put off making a real decision about how to get your next job, or what industry to go after, it wont. You can only do that for yourself. But, they might be able to get you fired up – when and if you ARE ready to make “the big” change. One thing is for sure…they will take your money.

For best results first have a solid idea of the job you want to get, and or at least the industry you want to break into before you hire a job coach.

Also, don’t forget about all the free and wonderful options you can also take advantage of. City employment centers are awesome and almost never used. People there will actually help to proof read your resume, and are paid to help you. Also, it does not cost a dime to talk to a recruiter. Tell them the dream job you want, and ask them straight out, “what do I need to do to be able to qualify?” They will believe it or not, tell you the truth. But be prepared if you ask, you may not like the answer. But don’t be afraid, if you don’t have the experience, why not volunteer in the exact job you want? Yes, you are not paid for the work, but in just weeks you could turn that into a paying job a close industry competitor that values what you have learned and your passion for the work. Nothing says you are passionate – like someone that is working for free. Trust me – it works, as long as you are positive, personal, not too cocky, and don’t try to wear the bosses hat before your time.

Some Good Job Coach Alternatives

•Local College Career Centers – if you did not go to one locally find someone that does. They normally can share the job info with you if you are a buddy.
•City Employment Centers- these are hardly used, and do have good things to offer if you are resourceful and have a good attitude.
•Staffing Companies- Why pay, when you can get the milk for free? These guys know their stuff and are on the pulse of who is hiring.

Places To Stay Away From

•Unspecialized Coaches – that have not worked with, or recruited in the exact industry you want to crack into.
•Paying for Advice you can get for free.
•People with bad attitudes in your daily life- stay away from talking to anyone that tells you – you cant work in a specific industry. If you want it bad enough, you can do it! Don’t let anyone stop you. Just stay away from the topic of employment with these people.

For more information about nonprofit jobs and staffing please see: http://scionnonprofitstaffing.com.

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If you are like most job seekers you have not put enough time into your resume.

Q: Have you had two other people proof your resume? Have you written detailed skills sections? Have you listed who you reported to in each of your past positions?

If not, you may wish to considering the following to improve your resume. No mater who you are (even an experienced recruiter) everyone has room to improve their resume.

Why Use Skills Sections?

The truth is the skills sections are useful to show that you can form a resume that explains your background as applied to the job description. You should have applicable skills sections: research skills, writing skills, finance skills, budgeting experience, and so on as needed for your resume and the job.

Do Use A Word Template

In all word and programs there are pre-made templates that you can use. Do that, and don’t try to design your own unless you have amazing with publisher and are graphic artist – otherwise it will only make you look quirky. This is a free resource and a very good idea.

Popular Things Done Wrong On A Resume Or During The Process:

1. Resume is not spelled Re’sume’ using italics, and do not use contractions on your resume or cover letter. They are a no-no.

2. Objectives are not needed.

3. The length no longer matters. We are not in the 80’s any longer the one page resume is a thing of the past. The more info the better as long as you are not long winded. Just keep it under 3 pages.

4. Do not misspell the name of the person you are sending to.

5. Do not use a template for your cover letter – and if so make sure to change all the needed areas on it.

6. Do not use cursive or odd fonts or colors. Stick to the normal.

7. Do not include a picture – its a red flag.

8. Do write a full page for your cover letter.

9. Do follow up in a professional and courteous manner about your application.

10. Do not use general words or language describing yourself like organized, motivated, team player, and so on. We want you to show us this in other ways, not on your resume.

11. Do not show up too early or be late at all for your interview. Five minutes before your time is perfect. Never be late even for one minute. Showing up at 12:01 for a 12:00 o’clock interview should not be done – and reflects poorly. Motivated candidates show up early – but not 20 minutes before, that is way too early.

For more information about nonprofit jobs and staffing please see: http://scionnonprofitstaffing.com.

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Here is the deal. Nonprofit resumes are different. In the corporate world it is important to only have your profile, skills, and experience. But in the nonprofit world they also want to see some of your devotion to their mission displayed on your resume. This, does not give you license to use unprofessional tones or language in your resume. Never us less than formal language, or talk about yourself in the third person on your resume.

What you need to add to be a strong nonprofit candidate are sections for Volunteering, Continuing Education, Writing, and Interest sections. These are the sections for those of you think on nonprofit prior experience you will need to buff up, in order to retain the interview.

Think about what books you have read that relate to the nonprofit, what magazines or periodicals, or websites that pertain to their mission. Think about where have you volunteers over the years or given money to.

Top Ten Job Seeking Tips
(The secret to Job Seeking)
1. Always cast a wide net.
2. If you build it, they can come. (Instead of simply posting your resume on a Web site, take it one step further and design a physical portfolio, or Web site or online portfolio, this makes you stand out more than other candidates very quickly if it is done professionally).
3. Always have more than one person read and edit your resume and cover letter!
4. Always follow-up with phone calls and emails in a professional manner that effectively communicates
your interest in a position without being too demanding.
5. Always be patient, the hiring managers are busy and will normally always get back to you.
6. If you are not getting a good response from your resume, likely something is wrong and you may wish to
consult a job coach or mentor.
7. Informational meetings can and do lead to job offers.
8. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice for what you want.
9. Do decide specifically what position you want; people that know what they wish to do always get the job.
Even if you are not sure, pick something.
10. Volunteering where you want to work is the fastest way to get hired there.

For more information about nonprofit jobs and staffing please see: http://scionnonprofitstaffing.com.

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