Blog | The Nonprofit Career Coach

Tips for an Effective Cover Letter for Nonprofits

Six Ingredients of A Memorable Cover Letter For a Mission Focused Organization

1. Stories Store themselves in the reader’s mind. A short personal story near the beginning of your cover letter can hook the person reading it, if it is concise and clearly relevant. A story that speaks to why you want be part of the mission and team of the organization will always be more memorable than dry statistics from your past employment. Make a lasting positive memory for your prospective employer and remember that “stories store” themselves in the mind.

2. Research Rewards those who make the effort. Are you used to addressing your cover letter to “recruiter” or “hiring manager?” Research the company to find out the best person to send your resume to. Take the initiative by calling the organization and asking the name of the person who is receiving applications. Other options are to use LinkedIn, current employees or the organization’s website. You may wish to combine your research and a story with the mission statement of the organization in a clever way, to grab the attention of the nonprofit.

3. Give them what they want. Carefully review the job description and posting, then state your experience with actual examples (bullet points are great) that demonstrate that you have the desired skills and qualifications. If the company is looking for someone with program management experience, make sure you speak to your experience in that area. For example, “I have six years of program management experience and have been acknowledged for leading the team with the biggest growth in the organization.” Show clearly through your specific examples that you would be a good fit for the position and organization.

4. Showing is knowing. One common mistake that many people make in their cover letter is stating their qualifications but not backing them up with clear examples to support their case. Are you applying for a program manager position? Include specific achievements of yours that speak to the skills and qualifications needed. Pull out one or two events from your previous work experience and write them up in detail (but concisely, of course) in the body of your cover letter.

5. The Power of Persistence. Trust can be a major factor in the job search. For example, trust is a part of the foundation that networking and referrals are built on. Finish your cover letter with a pledge to follow-up in about ten days. Start building trust by taking action and following up when you said you would. Take control of your job search and offer to help the prospective employer: “If you wish, I will help facilitate a meeting for us and will contact you in ten days.” If you leave a voicemail, feel free to send an email .follow-up. Persistence can be a powerful tool when it is polite and professional. Of course, if the job description states, “No phone calls”, be sure to respect this.

6. Proof read to lead and get ahead of the competition. Employers may be weary of looking at cover letters with careless mistakes. It is a sound recipe for success to re-read your cover letter more than once. Get a friend, family member, or career coach to read over the document for any typos, spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. A new perspective and another pair of eyes may see things that you may have missed.

Very Effective Ingredient on any Job Interview

Ingredients of a Successful Interview

Ingredients of a Successful Interview

By Mark McCurdy

If you’re late, you’ve decided your fate!

In my workshops, I always make it a point to say, “The biggest favor you can give yourself in the interview is to be on time.” If you are late, you have already decided your fate, and it will not be a positive outcome for you at the company. It is often said that the best reference for future employee outlook is past experience. If you are showing up late, it tells the hiring manager you will probably be late to work and to meetings in the future.

At a job interview your goal is to make a great first impression, not only because of your skills, but also because of your overall presentation and attitude. Here are five ingredients that will improve your chances.

Ingredient #1
Be early. Arrive 10-15 minutes early and make light conversation with the receptionist or front desk attendant, if they don’t seem too busy.

Ingredient #2
Have a purpose and prepare. Practice produces positive energy and confidence. After studying the organization’s website, come up with a minimum of three questions about the organization. Do a practice interview with a friend, family member or career coach, to help you minimize interview questions that might catch you off guard.

Ingredient #3
Beam with positive self-esteem. Smile often during your interview. It is common to be nervous during a job interview, and we tend not to smile as much when we are anxious. If you don’t smile, the interviewer may wonder if you really want the job or not. Make good eye contact, and do what you can to be sure the interviewer sees you in a positive light.

Ingredient #4
Dress to impress. My father always told me it is better to be overdressed than underdressed. A favorite suit, or a not-too-short dress, will help you feel self-confident. Keep in mind that those making the hiring decision may be of a more conservative generation or mindset than those in your group of friends. Be sure you are neatly groomed, and avoid a new growth of beard, untidy hair, etc. And long artificial fingernails may make the interviewer wonder if you can type on a keyboard!

Ingredient #5
Be generous with your thanks. Thank your prospective employers three times if you hope to be called back for a second interview or a job offer. First, thank each interviewer for his or her time at the beginning of the interview. Second, before you leave, thank each person for the information and thoughtful feedback that was given to you.. Third, send or bring a “thank you letter” afterward. It is ideal to drop it off in person. The second choice would be snail mail; the third option is email.

See more photos to expand your imagination here

Very Effective Ingredient on any Job Interview

Ingredients of a Successful Interview

Photos to expand your imagination

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