08 Jul

3 reasons “blogging for a better world” is the new cover letter for nonprofits

3 reasons “blogging for a better world” is the new cover letter for nonprofits

By Mark McCurdy

  1. Interactive content is fun to watch and share

In my decade plus of recruitment experience, I have never heard HR professionals talk about reading a cover letter that was actually fun. Yes, there are such things as video cover letters, but 95% of people writing cover letter sticks to the old paper and paragraphs format…not too engaging. Writing a blog can showcase your creativity, communications skills and personality more effectively than written words alone. By using photos and videos, your blog can be a great way to introduce yourself to a recruiter. Wrap in content that is “cause”-related and you could have the next Ice Bucket Challenge sensation on your hands. As a recruiter, I would much prefer to see a short blog post that is interactive than a bland listing of your achievements. The blog gives me a better handle on your personality and communications skills than a well-written traditional cover letter could ever do.

Related: Develop Creative Leadership

  1. Actions always speak louder than words

The famous Mark Twain said “Actions speak louder than words.” By creating a blog focused on areas of interest or expertise, you are showing the world and prospective employers that you are serious about it. I started my third blog Craft Brew England, which focuses on the local craft beer scene, and I now help nonprofits and small businesses create fundraisers/events with a focus on craft beer. Launching a blog can be done for free on LinkedIn, Tumblr, or WordPress. So whether you are unemployed, under-employed or simply looking for a creative outlet, you can still prove your passion and purpose by designing and curating a blog.

  1. Building your on-line brand with purpose

Brands are built on-line; your career these days is not much different. Employers get really excited when they Google your name and they find relevant blog posts, YouTube videos, and LinkedIn information that prove you are passionate about their cause. Building relationships by helping to promote a cause or business is very powerful. When I reach out to a nonprofit or brewery and propose promoting them on my blog, they are generally very happy to open their doors to me. So make a strategic decision to build your brand with purpose and start with a blog that will showcase your creativity and passion!

Related: 7 Things You Can Do To Build An Awesome Personal Brand

Come join the growing community on twitter at @careers4purpose or join my Facebook group Propel Your Purpose.

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Mark
Before I was two years old, three nonprofits changed my life forever; two adoption agencies in different countries and one hospital that helped me walk for the first time. When I was growing up in Massachusetts, my father worked as an artist and my mother ran an international adoption agency out of our home. You could say, quite literally, I was raised in a nonprofit. As a result of this rather unusual yet highly rewarding upbringing, I was instilled with a strong sense of giving back from an early age. During my sophomore year at the University of Massachusetts, I had a harrowing brush with death during a school break. Once again a nonprofit (hospital) came to my rescue, and the memory of this life changing event has deepened my commitment to serve others through the world of service and social impact. In 2000 I began working as a recruiter for nonprofit organizations, first in New York City, then in Washington, DC. In 2008 I founded Jobs In Nonprofits and the Nonprofit Career Coach with the goal of “connecting the brightest hearts and minds with the best nonprofits.” We are dedicated to serving idealistic, responsible job seekers who want to have a positive impact serving nonprofit organizations . The Nonprofit Career Coach provides strategic one-on-one career coaching, mentoring, speaking, workshops and training to job seekers who want help to accelerate their nonprofit career.

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    Comments

  1. keishapawsey6
    July 23, 2016

    An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who had been doing a little research on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast simply because I found it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to discuss this subject here on your web page.

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    August 29, 2016

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