2014 Planned Giving Days:
Increasing Your Leadership Skills Quotient,
Writing a Winning Resume, and Scoring
Points During an Interview
Carla Andrews-O’Hara
Associate Director, Corporate & Foundation Relations
Johns Hopkins University
A little about me.
U
On
average,
Americans,
ages 18-44
between
1978 and
2008 held
11 jobs.
Mindflash.com
The Chronicle of Philanthropy
April 2, 2012 by Raymund Flandez
The Cost of High Turnover in Fundraising Jobs
The high turnover rate of fundraisers is costing charities money.
Lots of money.
The average amount of time a fundraiser stays at his or her job: 16
months. The direct and indirect costs of finding a replacement:
$127,650.
(Those figures come from new research by Penelope
Burk, president of Cygnus Applied Research. In her presentation
at the Association of Fundraising Professionals conference in
Vancouver, she said findings from a survey she has conducted of
1,700 fundraisers and 8,000 nonprofit chief executives, suggest
that it would cost just $46,650 to keep a good fundraiser happy
by providing better salaries and other benefits, such as additional
vacation time.)
Increasing Your Leadership Skills
• Start with a self-assessment (SWOT)
• Get to know yourself – really
• What motivates you
• Title
• $$
• Travel
• More personal time
• Ability to call-the-shots
(empowerment)
• All of the above, etc.
What do YOU want out of your career?
Increasing Your Leadership Skills
Preparation and More Homework
• What organizations (companies, institutions, agencies) engage in
work that aligns with your goals?
• Who are your targets and why them specifically?
• What is the culture and “personality” of the target organization?
• What makes you uniquely qualified to work in those particular
organizations and position?
• Are there any additional skills or education you will need to get
the position? To advance in the position?
• What is your own, special, personal brand and what materials will
you need to support and validate your brand/message?
Writing a Winning Resume
The #1 Objective of A Resume is to WIN AN
INTERVIEW. It’s an advertisement—a chance to
present your brand.
A resume is not a history of your past or some
sort of self expression.
Writing a Winning Resume
Tips for Success
• Format and feel matter in a “mail-in” resume. Use open
space, 12 point + font, and make it easy to read.
• Good spelling and grammar are critical!
• Contact information should be clear and easy to ascertain.
• Customize your message/content for each job/employer.
• Include highlights and qualifications along with key
achievements.
• Be sure to note your education attainment.
• Include information on awards, recognitions, publications,
and other information that may be pertinent to the job.
Writing a Winning Resume
Tips for Success
• Use ACTION words.
• Be proactive in your language.
• Match as many words as possible with the job description.
Remember… The day of the one-page resume is over! Many
companies now use word scanners to weed-out candidates
LONG before your resume every makes it to a “live” person.
Writing a Winning Resume
Tips for Success
Proofread, proofread, proofread!
Get a fresh perspective from someone else. Have a trusted
friend, family member, or expert review your resume and
provide feedback, before you ever send anything out for
consideration.
Writing a Winning Resume
Tips for Success
Take advantage social media sites like LinkedIn.
Look for online professional groups you can join.
Follow Twitter announcements from target organizations.
Sign up for email updates/newsletters from target
organizations.
• Register through the online portal of your target
organization to receive regular job bulletins.
•
•
•
•
Writing a Winning Resume
Things to Avoid at All Costs
• Using clichés to convey your value and distinction.
• Copying what others are doing instead of what YOU
can do.
• Projecting what OTHERS think you should be doing.
• Sending confusing messages about what you want
and what you are offering.
Resume Sample
Resume Sample
Writing a Winning Resume
The Importance of a Good Cover Letter
• Capture attention!
• Make an abbreviated statement about your skills and
interest in the position.
• Provides a chance to differentiate yourself from the
crowd.
• Provides a great opportunity to showcase your talents
in a succinct manner.
• Gives your application a personal, targeted touch.
Writing a Winning Resume
The Basic Structure of a Good Cover Letter
• The salutation (Hello). Get a name…any name.
• Paragraph one: Introduce yourself and include a targeted,
specific message to grab attention.
• Paragraph two: Provide some specific examples of your
work to hook your audience.
• Paragraph three: Show your knowledge of the organization
and address why you are applying for this position.
• Paragraph four: Summarize your offer and position, suggest
a meeting, and note that you will follow up in a few days.
Writing a Winning Resume
Links to Resume Writing Resources:
•
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/resumetips/a/tenresumetips.htm
•
http://rockportinstitute.com/resumes/
•
http://www.careerbuilder.com/article/cb-1060-cover-letters-resumeshow-to-write-a-winning-r%C3%A9sum%C3%A9/
•
https://www.wm.edu/offices/career/alumni/resumes/winningresumetips/i
ndex.php
•
https://www.careerperfect.com/tips/resume-writing/how-to-write-resume/
The Interview
BEFORE you Go
• Do your homework.
• Understand the organizational goals, culture, position
requirements, etc.
• Find out who you will be meeting and learn something
about them BEFORE the interview. You might find you have
some things in common that can work to your benefit.
• Determine how long it will take you to get there and find
out where you will park. (Don’t let traffic problems become
a problem.)
The Interview
BEFORE you Go
•
•
•
•
•
Prepare any presentation materials, portfolio, etc.
Be ready to share information on references, just in case.
Take extra copies of your resume.
Prepare your questions.
Make notes on things you want to draw particular attention to
during the interview. That way you don’t forget something
important.
Practice your interview in front of a mirror, with a friend or family
member, or anyone you feel can give you the input/feedback you
need to fine-tune your story.
The Interview
Be Prepared for a Non-Traditional Interview
•
•
•
•
Telephone
Skype
Multiple, different interviews (be flexible)
WebEx or other online medium
“You’ve taken the casual interview a bit far.”
The Interview
Dress to Impress
•
•
•
•
•
•
Dress appropriately for the work culture and the position.
Good hygiene – smell clean and fresh – NOT overwhelming.
Be well groomed – down to your fingernails.
Avoid flashy accessories – leave the teddy bear at home.
Avoid flashy makeup and cloths.
Turn off the cell phone.
The Interview
Body Language Matters
Do’s
• Carry one item only (too
much stuff makes you look
disorganized).
• Make eye contact.
• Think BEFORE you speak.
• Be poised to convey
confidence.
• Practice before the
interview.
• Be on time.
Don’ts
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Smile nervously or too much.
Purse your lips.
Cross your arms.
Touch your face.
Be a “close” talker.
Ramble.
Act too familiar.
Be late.
The Interview
Every Little Thing Counts
• Be courteous and thank everyone for inviting you to
interview.
• Be genuine and show real interest.
• Show your knowledge of the organization and position.
• Interject context to your answers by including real examples
of your experience.
• Ask questions. This is also your chance to see if the
organization is a good fit for “you” too.
The Interview
Every Little Thing Counts
•
•
•
•
•
•
Be respectful of any time limitations and don’t dawdle.
Ask about next steps at the end of the interview.
Be willing to share additional information if needed.
Be ready to address any gaps in employment.
Thank everyone for meeting with you.
Close with any final remarks to help reinforce your case as
THE candidate for the job.
The Interview -- by Committee
Relax and apply your “Do’s and Don'ts,” just remember to make
eye contact and include each person in the discussion.
The Interview
Keep the Door Open
• Follow up with a thank you note. It is increasingly common to
send an email vs sending a formal, printed note.
• Follow up within a few days to inquire on any progress and to
see if you can provide any additional information.
• Even if you are NOT the selected candidate, send another
note thanking the employer for considering you.
• Keep contact information.
It’s a small world and you never know when you might meet
again.
The Interview
Links to Interviewing Resources:
•
http://www.bridgespan.org/Publications-and-Tools/Hiring-NonprofitLeaders/HiringTools/Sample-InterviewQuestions.aspx?gclid=CKGk_ZCszL4CFVJnOgod1nsAYw#.U4SlOyhp6iU
•
http://jobsearch.about.com/cs/interviews/a/jobinterviewtip.htm
•
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviews/tp/jobinterviewtips.htm
•
http://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/interviewpreparation/job-interview-pointers-fogarty/article.aspx
•
http://www.employmentguide.com/careeradvice/Interview_Tips.html
Sample Job Description
Group Work
• What steps would you undertake to learn about the
organization. Define the organization (type, culture,
location, etc.).
• Identify key words within the job description and
explain the steps you would take to create a
winning resume.
• What steps would you take to prepare for the
actual interview?
• How would you convince the organization that you
are the right candidate?
• What questions do you anticipate coming up
during the interview? How can you be prepared?