The road ahead: Advice for new graduates in the nonprofit sector

Life seems so simple when you are younger. Even as you are in post-secondary school, you are preparing for the future but most people do not yet have the mind-set of thinking about a lifelong career. Then comes graduation; a...

Marketing your ability: Part I – Getting an interview

Do you want a job in fundraising? Your pursuit will be easier when you realize that good fundraisers and job seekers possess the same skill-set. The common denominator is your ability to market...either yourself or the agency's programs and services....

Marketing your ability: Part II – The interview

If you are called in for an interview, you deserve to be. Your understanding of the agency's needs has been clearly outlined in your covering letter and you have enticed the reader with possible solutions. Don't stop there! You now...

What you need to enjoy your job, improve your skills, better your performance, and grow your career

Unfortunately, many organizations do not spend a lot of time or effort on making sure employees are engaged. Usually employees do not receive timely performance feedback, have little or no training opportunities, and have either a limited focus or no...

Career Q&A: What makes a successful job search?

I was recently congratulating one of our clients on getting her new job - after a relatively short two-month search - and asked her opinion on what made her job search so successful. Background This client had unexpectedly been laid...

Career Q&A: Getting organized

I am currently employed as a fundraiser. I feel that I can do a better and more thorough job, but I have issues with my organization skills. I am self motivated and a "doer," however, I am often late for...

Career Q&A: Should I go back to school?

I’ve been unhappy and unmotivated in job and my career for a while now, and I’m thinking of joining my friend who will be taking an MBA. I’m a little nervous about just quitting my job and getting into debt...

The evolving role of a volunteer resources specialist

Over the past few years, the need for a more structured volunteer environment appears evident. Charitable organizations are taking a much more business-like approach toward their volunteers in order to employ their skills as effectively as possible. Therefore, many organizations...

Making the nonprofit leap: What you need to know

For close to thirty years, Carine Strong was a hardworking employee at a large manufacturing company. She held various roles in her corporate career, the last as director of community and customer relations. Throughout, Strong was also a dedicated volunteer,...

Career Q&A: Office affairs

I know I shouldn’t have, but I had a (brief) affair at my office with a married coworker I’ll call Jack (I’m single). Although he said he wanted a divorce from his wife, I figured out pretty quickly that he...