Answers to a Few Questions from the June OK Career Conference (PART 1 of 2)


By: Dalya F. Massachi

If you joined one of my two sessions at the Opportunity Knocks Career Conference last month, both entitled “How to Use Your Writing Skills to Find a Nonprofit Job,” you participated in a very interactive discussion about real-life experiences writing nonprofit cover letters and resumes.

For those who could not make it – and for those who attended but could use a refresher – here are a few question-and-answer snapshots:

Q: Is it o.k. to send my resumes and cover letter via postal mail these days?

A: Most employers accept online applications only – that is, email or through an online form. It’s usually easier to deal with for employers, easier to forward to others, scan for keywords, etc. Occasionally, a postal mail application is acceptable, but you need to make sure before you go through the hassle.

Q: I improved my resume since I applied. Can I re-send the new draft to the same employer?

A: Congrats on improving it! It’s best to just go into the interview with your updated resume and hand it to them at that time. And you’re now prepared for the next job application.

Q: I have decades of experience. How far back should I go in my resume?

A: Generally, I would keep it to about 15 years or so. The exception would be if you have a few outstanding accomplishments from 20+ years ago that you would like to include.

Q: Can I use a writing sample that I created at a previous job but that never actually got used?

A: Yes, that’s fine. Even writing a whole new piece for the job application is o.k. Of course, if you have an appropriate writing sample that was published, go ahead and include it.

Q: I have a writing sample that was very specific to my previous employer. Can I use it?

A: This gets a bit tricky. If your writing sample was really for internal purposes only, you don’t want to divulge any specific people’s names or proprietary information. Be sure to go through it word-for-word and change any sensitive data.

Q: I have trouble writing about myself. Any advice?

A: Many people have trouble tooting their own horn – or balancing their achievements with a healthy dose of realism. Run your resume and cover letter by a good friend. Ask her/him to be honest and help you feature your strong points without overdoing it.

Q: How can I get around always starting my sentences with the word “I” in my cover letter?

A: The first step is to be aware of the tendency, so you’re already on the right track! Try to start with phrases like: “my work included…” and “with ten years of experience in the field, I…” and “your interests match mine, as we both have been involved in…”

Q: Once I do some research on the target organization, how can I use it effectively in the cover letter?

A: Take any opportunity you see to talk about how your skills and experience would be particularly useful in their organizational context. If you have special knowledge, contacts, or experiences with strong relevance to them, talk about it! The idea here is to reference your understanding of their work on matters that go beyond their brief job posting.

These questions represent only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Please ask your questions in the “comments” section below this article. And you will get answers!

P.S.: Heather Carpenter, another presenter at the conference, kindly wrote a blog post about my session. You can see it right here.

About the Author
Dalya F. Massachi specializes in helping nonprofit professionals advance their missions through outstanding fundraising and marketing materials – online and offline. A lifelong writer, Dalya’s first Letter to the Editor was published in her hometown newspaper before she was even a teenager. For nearly 20 years, Dalya has worked professionally with community-oriented organizations as a sought-after trainer, writing coach, grantwriter, journalist, and organizer. She has crafted countless successful marketing pieces, grant proposals, and news articles. Dalya’s award-winning book, entitled “Writing to Make a Difference: 25 Powerful Techniques to Boost Your Community Impact,” is available at a special discount for OK readers (http://bit.ly/kna7RA). Her website and free tip sheets and e-newsletter are at: www.dfmassachi.net.

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