Tag: Nonprofit Careers

Talent Tip #79: Two Solutions for Our Fundraising Talent Shortage

June 6, 2016

Talent Tip #79: Two Solutions for Our Fundraising Talent Shortage 

Last month I donned my Captain Obvious hat and wrote of our need for fundraisers. But I’m not a fan of pointing out problems without also providing solutions. So, this month, with a little help from numerous friends I heard from in the interim, we’re going to address ways to correct the problem.

As I see it, there are two main solutions to addressing our fundraising talent shortage.

Talent Tip #78: O Fundraisers, Fundraisers! Wherefore Art Thou Fundraisers?

April 19, 2016

Talent Tip #78:  O Fundraisers, Fundraisers! Wherefore Art Thou Fundraisers?

If I meet another recent college graduate who tells me he wants to go into a policy career, I’m going to curl up in the fetal position and weep uncontrollably.

It’s not that I don’t want to see more policy talent in the free-market movement (I do!); it’s just that I really, really, really want to see more fundraising talent.

And why? Because that’s our biggest…

Talent Tip #77: The New York Times: An Unlikely Ally in Helping Us Find Talent

March 19, 2016

Talent Tip #77: The New York Times: An Unlikely Ally in Helping Us Find Talent 

If The New York Times is writing about you, you’re making a difference.

That’s what a friend in the liberty movement told me after The New York Times ran a story about Talent Market last week.

To the surprise of many, The Times described Talent Market in ways we can’t help but take as compliments:

Talent Tip #76: Believe It or Not: Talent Market is a Nonprofit

March 1, 2016

Talent Tip #76: Believe It or Not: Talent Market is a  Nonprofit

Let’s face it, some things are too good to be true. For example:

But some things are oh-so-good and also true. For instance:

Yes, you read…

Talent Tip #75: Field of Dreams: Job Descriptions That Attract Talent

February 16, 2016

Talent Tip #75: Field of Dreams: Job Descriptions That Attract Talent

If you write it, they will come.

That’s the Kevin Costner-esque attitude many hiring managers employ when it comes to authoring job descriptions.  They believe a carefully crafted job description will result in talent appearing.

I know what you’re thinking.

Right….and Shoeless Joe Jackson is going to pop out of the corn field and play baseball with them, too.

Actually, I think these hiring managers are onto something.…

Talent Tip #74: Give The Gift That Keeps on Givng…er…Giving

December 17, 2015

Talent Tip #74: Give The Gift That Keeps on Givng Giving

Still struggling to find the perfect gift for that special someone this season? Debating between the Hutzler 571 Banana Slicer and the Perfect Bacon Bowl?

Well, debate no more. I have the perfect holiday gift for all of your friends and loved ones — especially those on the job hunt.

This year, give the gift of Spell Check.

Not only is it free and currently available…

Talent Tip #73: Turnover Turnaround: How To Keep Your Best Employees

November 17, 2015

Talent Tip #73: Turnover Turnaround: How To Keep Your Best Employees 

Last month we talked about the six most common reasons for staff turnover in the free-market nonprofit movement. Apparently, we struck a root.

My inbox was deluged with responses such as “Your list was spot on. I recently left my job for reason #4.” and “My best friend just quit his job for reasons 1, 2, and 5.”

While it was disheartening to read some of the emails, I…

Talent Tip #72: Employee Turnover: Why Good People Leave

October 20, 2015

Talent Tip #72: Employee Turnover: Why Good People Leave

Last month at the always-amazing State Policy Network Annual Meeting, I had the pleasure of connecting with nonprofit CEOs about some of the common reasons employees leave and strategies for preventing turnover.

It was a daunting task — to stand before a room of accomplished CEOs and tell them what they  might be doing wrong. I had nightmares of being pelted with rotten fruit or heckled (remember the Seinfeld episode…

Talent Tip #71: Career Choices: Let Passion Follow You

September 15, 2015

Talent Tip #71: Career Choices: Let Passion Follow You

Last month’s Talent Tip about James Abernathy and choosing a job you love prompted a heap of great feedback, including some words of wisdom from Zach Janowski, Yankee Institute’s Director of External Affairs.

Here’s what Zach said:

“I am glad James found the job that is right for him. While I agree working in our movement is a great privilege, I also think we give people the wrong…

Talent Tip #70: Choose a Job You Love…Maybe Confucius Was Right

July 28, 2015

Talent Tip #70: Choose a Job You Love…Maybe Confucius Was Right

“Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

I remember hearing people say this when I was just embarking on life after college. To be frank, I thought it was a bunch of malarkey. It was something that belonged on one of those really cheesy motivational posters from Successories. Ug. (No offense, Confucius.)

But after an unfulfilling stint in the…