SF nonprofits 101: Best practices for nonprofit employment seekers, part two

Is the Informational Interview dead?

Continuing with Examiner.com’s 101 special series, here are more tips for nonprofit job-seekers. Part one covered one through five and, for symmetry, I’m rounding out the list up to 10. But many people wondered last week, “Where’s the ‘informational interview’ on this list?” Read on, my friend.

6. BEWARE THE INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW
Can you say inundated? The informational interview has been a mainstay of job-networking for decades, and always had its proponents and detractors. With California’s unemployment approaching 12%, detractors are winning.

Proceed very strategically with the info interview. Use your LinkedIn connections to find a warm contact that can make an introduction. Cold calls not recommended while job-hunting during this Great Recession.

7. SIGN UP FOR E-NEWSLETTERS, FOLLOW ON TWITTER & BECOME A FACEBOOK FAN
Love expressed through social networking is how some organizations might see it. It is becoming almost vital to demonstrate social media literacy for your job-hunt today, particularly in the home-city of Twitter. And particularly in a sector that is relying more and more on touching individuals, in hopes of developing an individual donor base.

Receive regular tweets from your target organizations, and you’ll stay up-to-the-minute on their top initiatives. If you fear your in-box getting too full, create a separate gmail or yahoo account for all your job-hunt messages. Set aside time every few days to check this account and scan essential items.

8. DONATE OR BECOME A MEMBER
We discussed volunteering in part one. Perhaps, after volunteering for your target nonprofit, you’ve become a devotee. Financial investment in a cause you believe in is a great way to illustrate your passion. Also, it might open the door for members-only event invitations and other face-to-face opportunities.

9. BACKGROUND CHECK
If you’re new to the charitable sector, you might not be familiar with Guidestar. This trusted database website gathers and publicizes information on 501(c)(3) organizations, and is utilized by nonprofits and philanthropists alike. The form 990 is a key resource for researching a charity’s fiscal health and, in some cases, executives’ salaries.

In concert with Guidestar is GreatNonprofits, which encourages consumers and clients of nonprofit services to post reviews on its website attesting to an organization’s value.

10. SUBSCRIBE TO THIS COLUMN
A shameless plug, perhaps, but this column strives to provide fresh, relevant and unique information pertaining specifically to San Francisco’s nonprofit scene. Please stay in touch and let me know how I’m doing.

Click here to read SF nonprofits 101: Best practices for nonprofit employment seekers, part one.

Source: Examiner.com