Preparing Yourself for Change

Maybe you’re in full-blown search mode – or just seeing what’s out there. In any case, it’s always smart to polish up your job-search skills, and reflect on your career choices. We trust, and refer candidates to, these practical resources:

• From The New York Times, “Writing a Résumé That Shouts ‘Hire Me’” – A helpful guide for how to think strategically in your job search, specifically providing tips for writing an effective resume that will attract employers
• Bridgestar – A clear, well-organized place to start and includes a nonprofit job board, sample resumes and job-hunting tips, among other helpful resources

We’re always telling candidates to read these books:

• Po Bronson, What Do I Want to Do with my Life?
• Richard Bowles, What Color is Your Parachute?
• Kathleen Mitchell, The Unplanned Career: How to Turn Curiosity Into Opportunity
• Parker J. Palmer, Let Your Life Speak
• Mary Catherine Bateson, Composing a Life

Learning About the Social Sector

We’ve built a strong practice in helping place leaders in social sector organizations, and have assisted many great candidates to change from private sector to mission-driven work. For candidates who want to explore this space, especially those who are making the change from for-profit careers, we consider the sites below required reading.

• Echoing Green’s “Spark*Blog” – A content-rich blog (and twitter feed), excellent for keeping abreast of issues in the space as they evolve
• BlueAvocado.org – A blog for non-profits of all sizes, filled with perspectives ranging from the practical to the big-picture
• EduWonk – A broad ranging-blog on issues and news in the world of K-12 education, and education reform
• Dowser – A wrap-up of news and stories of social change around the world
• Class Struggles – Ongoing column and blog by Jay Matthews, the Washington Post’s lead writer on issues in education
• Net Impact’s Learning Center – In addition to a newsletter and original publications, Net Impact has compiled a good primer of definitions of terms like “micro-finance” and “corporate social responsibility”
• Stanford Social Innovation Review (http://ssireview.org) – This site makes most articles for the academic publication SSIR available online, so it’s a good location for in-depth reading and research
• Social Edge – Social Edge is a global online community where social entrepreneurs and other practitioners of the social benefit sector connect to network, learn, inspire and share resources

Recommended Resources

The following vendors are well-known to us – we trust the advice they offer candidates, and whole-heartedly recommend them. (We are adamant about not benefitting from our candidates, and are not compensated for referrals.)

• Hilary Achauer – Independent Writer and Editor, with experience helping candidates polish their resumes and cover letters
• Derek Hansen – Former investment banker and private equity investor, now turned executive and career coach and organizational strategist, offering a unique, holistic methodology and perspective
• Gretchen Anderson – Former On-Ramper, now turned novelist and freelance coach, offering transition consulting services
• Six Figure Start – Multiple services to support successful job searches, including free online resources, free and low-cost podcasts, and one-on-one coaching services