Talent Tips: Job Seekers

Talent Tip #107: Seven Tips for Effective Networking 

September 27, 2018

As many of you know, the State Policy Network Annual Meeting is just around the corner. Those who have attended understand that it’s one of the best free-market networking events of the year.  As such, I thought it would be appropriate to dedicate this month’s Talent Tip to networking. 

If you’re like many people, your palms are already sweating as you think about how to mingle with senior leaders, board members, VIPS,  and other movers and…

Talent Tip #106: 10 Things Every Free-Market Fundraiser Should Know

August 24, 2018

Have you ever worked your tail off to prepare for something only to have your efforts derailed by technological difficulties beyond your control? That happened to me recently when I presented to a group of up-and-coming fundraisers in the liberty movement. Given the importance of fundraising talent to our nonprofit universe, I spent many hours crafting and tweaking a presentation packed full of advice, and I was so excited to share it with the attendees. 

But…

Talent Tip #104: Don’t Fall in the Homestretch: 5 Tips to Winning the Interview Process

June 20, 2018

When I ran distance races in high school track, I would often do a (very ungraceful) tour jeté as I neared the finish line. 

As you can imagine, my track coach was very displeased with such shenanigans. But I assured him that my goofiness would never cost me a race. After all, the end was so close.

And so it goes with candidates in the interview process. In a candidate’s mind, making it to the interview means…

Talent Tip # 103: Lessons from Professional Wrestling: 5 Tips to Bodyslam Your Competition During the Hiring Process

June 7, 2018

Have you ever watched professional wrestling?

Yeah, neither have I. 

But based on the three second clips I’ve seen over the years, it reminds me of the hiring process. (Without all of the scripted moves, fake tans, neon-colored lycra,  and exposed body parts, of course.)

One minute you are watching an organization deliver an atomic leg drop on a candidate for making a careless mistake, and the next you’re witnessing a candidate proffer…

Talent Tip #102: 5 Things You Should Know About Talent Market (That Will Help You Help Us Help You)

April 17, 2018

Talent Market is a nonprofit.
Yep. I know it’s a crazy concept, but it’s been working like a charm since 2009. Dont get me wrong — I’m a capitalist pig. But being a nonprofit helps Talent Market serve our clients better. Why? Because it allows us to focus on the long-term and not simply “filling a role and collecting the dough.” While there’s no “fee” at the end of the rainbow, there is something much more important on…

Talent Tip #100: Your Resumé: A Chance to Tell a Clear, Logical Story About Your Career

February 20, 2018

 First of all, can you believe this is our 100th Talent Tip? I wanted to arrange a confetti drop for everyone, but logistics proved to be a challenge.  On the occasion of our 100th Talent Tip, I thought we would cover one of our favorite topics — resumés!

I look at dozens of resumés each day. What never ceases to amaze me is how daggum confusing many of them are. I usually think, “How hard is it to put together a…

Talent Tip #100: Your Resumé: A Chance to Tell a Clear, Logical Story About Your Career

February 20, 2018

 First of all, can you believe this is our 100th Talent Tip? I wanted to arrange a confetti drop for everyone, but logistics proved to be a challenge.  On the occasion of our 100th Talent Tip, I thought we would cover one of our favorite topics — resumés!

I look at dozens of resumés each day. What never ceases to amaze me is how daggum confusing many of them are. I usually think, “How hard is it to put together a…

Talent Tip #98: What NOT to Wear To an Interview

December 26, 2017

As you may recall, last month’s Talent Tip was about topics to avoid during your interviews with candidates. One astute reader suggested that it would be useful to flip the script and address about what candidates shouldn’t wear to interviews. Thanks for the idea, Meg!

Let’s face it: interviewing is tough.

You don’t know what challenging questions will be thrown at you. You aren’t sure how you’ll stack up against the competition. You’re worried about having sweaty palms. And you…

Talent Tip #90: What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do: Four Steps to Figure Out Your Next Career Move

April 18, 2017

This month’s tip was written by Lauren Skiver, Talent Market’s Talent Manager 

Being in the talent business, we have a lot of conversations that revolve around the question, “What do you want to do next?”

It’s a tough question. Some people knew at five years old what they wanted to be when they grew up (I’m married to one of those!). But for the rest of us, it’s all trial and error. And living in an age with endless career…

Talent Tip #89: Becoming Billy Shakespeare: Crafting a Powerful Cover Letter

March 26, 2017

I read a lot of cover letters.

With most of them, I feel as though I’m reading standard newspaper AP fare.  Nothing earth-shattering, but it gets the job done.  Others are harder to digest — it’s more like reading furniture assembly instructions…in a language I don’t speak.

But every once in a while I come across a cover letter that captivates me like a great piece of literature. It accomplishes exactly what it should: it makes me want to keep…