11/14/07: Finding the Right Fit

by Faye Dresner

How many people walk into a clothing store, make their selections, and purchase them without trying the clothes on? Not many. But ask how many people accept employment without discerning if it’s a good fit, and you’d be amazed. Think back to the last time you said yes to employment – did you take the time to investigate the culture, ask other employees how they felt about their jobs, or spend a few hours immersed in your future workplace?
Following four easy steps is all it takes to push the odds in favor of you ending up in a place that suits your personality and skills:

1. Do an inventory of what you want in a place of employment – get specific.
2. Be particular about where you interview and conduct your own investigation during the interview.
3. Become a detective and a researcher – spend time in your future place of employment and be observant.
4. Take the time to do informational interviews.

Doing an inventory of what you want involves taking the time to notice what it is that ignites your passion. Pay attention to those times when you feel fulfilled and are enjoying yourself and ask yourself why. What is it about what you’re doing, the environment you’re doing it in and the people with whom you are interacting that you find pleasurable or satisfying? Make a comprehensive list of those attributes and use it along with a list of your strengths and skills as a tool against which to measure what nonprofit job opportunities to pursue and which to avoid.

A mentor of mine once told me not to accept every offer to interview. He reminded me that being prepared for an interview takes time and energy, precious commodities during a job search that shouldn’t be wasted on likely dead ends. For those interviews you choose to attend, go in with the goal of sharing your skills and talents, and at the same time gathering information for yourself. Prepare a list of questions that will help you discern if the environment is one in which you’ll be excited about spending the majority of your waking hours. Ask your interviewers things like, “How would you describe the working environment in this nonprofit? How are employees recognized? Is innovation valued here? If so, give me an example of how.”

Arrange to spend 30-45 minutes after the interview walking the halls and talking to other employees. Watch how people interact, whether the environment is orderly or chaotic, noisy or quiet, and how you feel on a gut level about being there. Observe what’s going on around you and inside you as you wander the hallways.

Lastly, take the time to do informational interviews at a number of different nonprofits. Once you complete your inventory of what you want in a place of employment, pepper your job interview schedule with a number of informational interviews. At one time in my life, I was convinced that I wanted to work in a particular sector of the nonprofit world. After a number of informational interviews with organizations in that sector, I realized how poorly the culture and characteristics of that particular area of the nonprofit world would have fit my personality and what I was in search of. Finding that out was time well spent.

You will spend more waking hours in your nonprofit job than in your home. Recent research shows that “problems at work are more strongly associated with health complaints than are any other life stressor – more so than even financial or family problems” and “one-fourth of employees view their jobs as the number one stressor in their lives.” With a little care and effort, that doesn’t have to describe you if you’re willing to invest the time gathering information about any potential job and job site before saying yes to any offer. Aren’t you worth it?

Faye Dresner

Faye Dresner is the founder of Dresner Consulting, LLC which she started to help tap the power of nonprofits and philanthropists to affect change. For over two decades, Faye has served in director-level positions with a variety of nonprofits which has taught her that when a person finds work that is personally fulfilling and life enhancing, both employer and employee benefit.

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fdresner@dresnerconsulting.com