Mac Prichard's Blog, page 17

Common Expectations vs. The Reality of Working with a Recruiter

You’ve probably heard negative stories about recruiters who don’t return calls or “headhunters” who pursue a candidate aggressively, only to disappear. If you listen to all the buzz, recruiting professionals seem to be more likely to lead people on and ghost than a bad Bumble date.

If you’ve ever been frustrated working with a recruiter or recruiting agency, there are two probable reasons for that. Either you were working with a bad recruiter, or you had false expectations about what working with a recruiter is really like. Here are five truths about the recruiting business that will help you learn what to expect from recruiters and get the most out of any future encounters.

Expectation: I should only reach out to a recruiter when I’m actively looking for a new job.
Reality: The best time to connect with a recruiter is while you’re content with your employment situation, but want to stay open to other options. 

 

Recruiters are typically not a good last resort, but you’d be amazed at how many people come to us with comments like, “I’ve been looking for two years and I’m finally reaching out to a recruiter.” Except perhaps in temporary placements, this is the worst time to rely on a third party.

When you’re feeling vulnerable, frustrated, and maybe even desperate in your search, use as many resources as possible, because so much of the process is based on timing. You might be the greatest Payroll Specialist in the world, but if the recruiter you’re working with isn’t working on a payroll position at that time, they’ll be unlikely to provide help on the timeline you need.

So, make sure you are clear on your expectations and timelines up front.

Expectation: Every recruiter I meet will be well-versed on a variety of industries and career fields.
Reality: Most recruiters are industry specialists or only work on specific types of positions. 

 

In fact, you want your recruiter to specialize in what you do! If your experience or interests don’t align with our specialty, we’re typically not as useful to your search because we won’t have the connections, relationships, or experience to be a valued resource to either you or the employer in that area.

There was a viral post by a recruiter on LinkedIn where he broke down this specialization (he’s an accounting recruiter) and the comment section was flooded with responses like: “I graduated top of my class and have 20 years of engineering experience! Are you saying you wouldn’t place me?” And the recruiter’s answer was an emphatic no, because he didn’t work on engineering roles. And you’d be amazed (or maybe not) at how many people were offended by his answer.

I’m always a little surprised at how upset people can get around this subject, but if you think about it – we don’t expect a person selling real estate in New York to find us a house in Arizona and we don’t expect a tax attorney to handle our divorce.

Wouldn’t you rather work with a market expert rather than someone who does a little bit of everything? One easy way to get the most out of working with a recruiter is to exercise due diligence on a recruiter’s areas of expertise before connecting with them.

Expectation: Serving my needs is my recruiter’s top priority.
Reality: Like many professionals who work in human resources, recruiters serve two masters: employers and job seekers. 

 

Although we’re here to be a resource and an advocate for candidates, the placement fee paid to recruiters is always paid by the employer. Our job is to identify and engage great talent, and to keep the process flowing smoothly. Armed with a thorough knowledge of your skills and interests, a recruiter will present you for jobs that match what you’ve told them you’re looking for and our client’s needs.

However, even if you are qualified, you may not be the most qualified candidate for the role. In these scenarios, the recruiter’s job is to satisfy the employer’s desires regarding what they think is best for the role rather than presenting a candidate who fulfills only the basic requirements. For example, if I was working with a creative agency, and they asked to see candidates who had worked in creative environments, I wouldn’t be a good partner to that client if I submitted a candidate coming out of a manufacturing environment, even if the title and job duties were the same, and even if the candidate really wanted to be in a creative field. Moreover, that candidate would have much more success applying for that role on their own, without a client considering an agency’s fees in addition to their lack of industry experience.

Additionally, recruiters are almost never the decision-maker determining whether you get an interview or job offer. We typically have input into the decision, and are often the ones who deliver the good or bad news to the candidate. Your recruiter should be as honest and forthcoming as they can be, given the feedback and information available from the client.   

Expectation: I can go to my recruiter for career coaching.
Reality: Recruiters are not career coaches (although they generally offer career advice).

 

If you need or want a career coach, there are many excellent fee-for-service career coaches. However, since recruiters are a free resource and don’t have the same training and expertise as career coaches, you shouldn’t expect in-depth assistance in figuring out what you want or to switch careers.

Generally, recruiters are very helpful with specific resume advice, and can offer solid information on current market trends. They are often less helpful for candidates who are “open to anything” because if you don’t know what you want, you can’t expect a recruiter to do the legwork for you! Additionally, recruiters are typically not a strong resource for those looking to switch career tracks, because their task is to source candidates with proven, documented experience in a role, industry, etc.

Career coaches, unlike recruiters, are usually very helpful for job seekers who want to invest in career exploration, which is an often intensive and thorough dive into new careers options, roles, and industries. A career coach can help bridge the gap between roles in career change by helping candidates build skills, network effectively, and articulate transferable skills.

A career coach is also an amazing resource for more hands-on job search assistance. They’ll give in-depth advice, resources, and coaching on resumes, interviews, cover letters, salary negotiations, etc. Career coaches are not free, but they’re great for people in transition, feeling lost, or who want to level up in their career.

Recruiters tend to be best for job seekers who have identified their top skills, roles, or industries they want to pursue, but want to benefit from the connections, market insights, general feedback, and support that a recruiter brings. Working with a well-connected recruiter means tapping into their networks, relationships, and influence with clients. Instead of being one in a pile of resumes hitting an employer’s desk, the right candidate for a position can be showcased directly in front of a waiting employer’s eyes.

Expectation: Recruiters can help me define my expectations and hone my interests, and I can call them with frequent questions.
Reality: Recruiters are salespeople, and try to spend their time in high-value ways, which means you should set communication expectations up front.  

 

Generally, we won’t call you just to chat — if we don’t have jobs that fit what you’ve said you want, or where you wouldn’t be a strong match for the role, we probably won’t be in touch. Sometimes, we’ll run multiple roles by you, but we may be working on jobs that aren’t in sync with your background. We’re usually working hard to close another deal and are focusing our energies and attention on that. It’s important for both candidates and recruiters to set expectations. It doesn’t mean we don’t think you’re great, or can never help you, or that we aren’t accessible. Feel free to check in with questions, especially, if anything changes in your search.

So, in summary: if recruiters can help, we usually will! We make our living creating matches between candidates and employers and gain a lot of pleasure from hearing about how our services impacted a job seeker’s life in a positive way. However, it helps to know a little bit about what we do, to get the most benefit from our services.

The post Common Expectations vs. The Reality of Working with a Recruiter appeared first on Mac's List.

Letting Your Passion Drive Your Job Search: Larissa Printzian’s Job Search Success Story

If you’ve been hunting for a job for several long weeks or months, desperation can take over. You’ll start trying to apply for any position that could work, instead of focusing on the opportunities that are right for you. Larissa Printzian faced this same challenge in her year long job search. Instead of putting all of your effort into job applications that don’t align with your interests, Larissa recommends letting passion drive your job search, and networking with your community to build solidarity. Read Larissa’s story to see how following her passion and volunteering with local organizations sped up her job search.

What do you do for a career? Who do you work for?

Currently I work in quality assurance and compliance for Catholic Charities of Oregon.

How long did it take you to find this job?

One year and 16 days.

How did you find your job? What resources did you use? What tool or tactic helped the most?

I began as a volunteer financial mentor in April of 2018 for the Save First Financial program. In June, I was hired as an interim Asset Specialist, while an individual was on family leave.  The Q&A position opened up and the Save First Financial program manager of recommended me for the job.

What was the most difficult part of your job search? How did you overcome this challenge?

The most difficult part is writing the cover letters.  I really put 110% into the cover letter. It can be discouraging to put that effort in and not get results.

Part of overcoming the challenge is exploring which jobs are a good fit and worth your efforts. Sometimes when you are unemployed, desperation can drive you. That can lead to wasting time on cover letters and applications that aren’t the best fit for you. Letting your passion drive you makes the job preparation easier.

What is the single best piece of advice you would offer other job-seekers?

Networking is really helpful. You establish links to the community, to recruiters, to hiring managers, as well as build solidarity with others looking for  job.

Also, finding a volunteer or temporary job in an industry you are passionate about can lead to a permanent opportunity. I was fortunate enough to have a temporary job with Nonprofit Professionals from May through August, in addition to the interim position with Catholic Charities.

Why do you love your job?

I get to support the organization using my writing and data analysis skills. I work with all the departments and meet committed, passionate people who want to serve others and build a better community.

The post Letting Your Passion Drive Your Job Search: Larissa Printzian’s Job Search Success Story appeared first on Mac's List.

How to Update Your Resume: 8 Key Areas to Focus On

The key to landing the job of your dreams is a great resume. Standing out from the competition means telling a compelling professional story that includes your accomplishments and skills and what makes you unique. Is your resume telling the right story or is it outdated and gathering dust? If it’s been a while since you updated it, there’s no better time than the present.

It doesn’t matter where you are in your career or job search. It’s important to have a killer resume at your fingertips that’s ready to send off at a moment’s notice. This could make all the difference in landing your dream job.

Here’s a checklist  to help you spot problems and update key parts of your resume. Go through all eight points and make sure your resume is the best possible representation of your experience and skills.

Your resume’s design and structure: keep it simple and easy to read

Employers and recruiters are combing through hundreds of resumes. If yours is long and cluttered or in a difficult-to-read font, chances of it landing in the ‘no’ pile are very good. A hiring manager should be able to get a sense of who you are and your experience with a quick scan of your resume which means it must be concise, succinct and precise. Avoid long chunks of text—bullet points and short sentences create a pleasing sense of white space, and a call-out box or two ensure your narrative doesn’t get monotonous. Choose a simple font and stick with it. Trying to get too fancy just makes it feel cluttered and outdated.

Keyword use: make strategic word choices to ace the ATS

You’ve heard the advice about keywords in your resume, but how do you know you’re using the right ones? Using industry-specific terms throughout your resume is important, but tailoring it to each position you apply for is crucial. Pull relevant keywords from each job description and place them as naturally as possible. If there are responsibilities or skills that are mentioned often, make sure you find a way to use similar words in your resume. This will instantly catch the eye of a hiring manager. Plus, if the company is using an automated system, it will also ensure your resume will make it through the ATS.

Make it scannable: use a headline, objective, or summary to tell your story

Can someone understand your professional brand within 10 or 15 seconds of looking at your resume? That should be your goal, and a headline, objective statement, or summary will help you do that. Many resume experts suggest a punchy headline, a short phrase that describes your career goals, achievements or something unique to your career story. For example, if you are a Marketing Coordinator, your headline could read: “Marketing Coordinator | To-Do List Master | Team Player.” You can also write a short objective statement at the top, but keep it to two lines or less. Everyone who glances at your resume will learn not only what you do, but they’ll also gain a bit of context about what it’s like to work with you.

Skills summary: relate your core competencies to the job at hand

A recruiter shouldn’t have to search to find out what you’re good at. Your resume should include a list of relevant skills and competencies, and that list should relate directly to the job you’re applying for. Using a Skills Section draws immediate attention to them and offers a quick but clear snapshot of what you bring to the table. Sometimes this short read will provide them with enough insight to move you on to the next round.

Describing your experience: show what you achieved

It’s important to highlight your tasks and responsibilities in your experience section, but hiring managers are most interested in what you’ve been able to get done in your work. How has your work impacted former employers in a positive way? What data can you share to back up your achievements? Job duties only get you so far. Hiring managers are looking for people to solve their problems and to bring results. So when you update your resume, refocus your experience on your top accomplishments and specific achievements to show the value you bring to the table.

Support your resume with an online presence

Keeping your resume short and to the point is essential, and linking to an online portfolio offers you another way to expand on your professional experience, show off past projects, and include more ways for a recruiter to get to know you. You should showcase your most successful work, relevant awards, industry references, work samples, and volunteer experience. Also, don’t be scared to show your personality: information like hobbies, interests, or stories from your travels show your human side and why you’d be a fun person to work with. Finally, don’t be overwhelmed by the idea of setting up your own website to house a portfolio. There are plenty of tools to help you do this more easily, and you can also flesh out your LinkedIn profile to accomplish these goals. 

Looks matter: share a PDF resume, or make sure it’s responsive

Gone are the days when employers print out your resume or read it exclusively on a computer. In fact, the odds that they’ll be scrolling through it on their phone in between meetings is probably very good. No matter how they read it, it should display clearly, quickly and legibly. Exporting it as a PDF is your best option, and don’t forget to pull it up on a computer, tablet, and phone to make sure that it looks compelling and appealing in every way.

Final check: grammar, spelling, and other essentials

No matter how impressive your resume looks, even one typo or grammatical error will undermine your entire document. If you share a resume that looks like it hasn’t been edited, recruiters will question your attention to detail. Don’t let a silly mistake ruin your chances of getting called in for an interview. So yse an online grammar tool and ask someone else to read through your resume for grammar, spelling, and readability. Afresh pair of eyes will always pick up a detail that you didn’t notice.

One final piece of advice: set a goal to review and update your resume every six months or so. When you let it go too long, it will be harder to update and freshen things up years later. Also, keeping consistent track of your achievements and where you’ve made an impact at work will allow you to make your resume into a living, breathing document that will produce a better resume and save you from scrambling at the last minute. A strong, compelling resume is the key to being ready for new opportunities whenever they present themselves.

The post How to Update Your Resume: 8 Key Areas to Focus On appeared first on Mac's List.

Focus Your Job Search Before Applying for Positions: Brock Vasconcellos’s Job Search Story

Brock Vasconcellos started his job search by spending six months coming up with a targeted, focused list of his career interests and values. He discovered that looking for a new career was more exciting, once he reframed his perspective and started looking at his previous positions as a portfolio of strengths and interests to build upon. Read Brock’s story to see how he focused his job search and used his network to discover a job opportunity.

What do you do for a career? Who do you work for?

I’m a nonprofit development professional specializing in peer-to-peer fundraising and volunteer leadership engagement.  

Currently, I’m the Field Operations Manager at the National Psoriasis Foundation.  Our field operations team raises funds by delivering peer-to-peer fundraising event experiences to our communities across the nation. I manage our processes that deliver our event experiences and support the field staff with resources for generating revenue.

How long did it take you to find this job?

Before actively applying, I spent six months or so honing in on my career interests and values.  I really liked what I was doing in my previous role, but I wasn’t confident my career was moving in the right direction.  It took about three months of active networking and research after committing to a job search to land my current position.

How did you find your job? What resources did you use? What tool or tactic helped the most?

After I started sharing with my network that I was searching for a new career opportunity, I discovered that others were also actively seeking new employment.  We started making introductions for each other, serving as references, and forwarding on job postings that matched our career interests. Ultimately, this is how I discovered my current position – one of my connections came across the posting in a search and sent it my way.

What was the most difficult part of your job search? How did you overcome this challenge?

My biggest challenge was finding the motivation for a job search.  I loved my previous organization and I loved the people I worked with even more!  It was easy to stay content where I was, even though I really desired a new challenge.  Even when I committed to a job search, I had trouble becoming excited about many of the positions out there.  It was tough knowing I had to make a career move, but not finding the passion in a search.

Honoring my career interests and values got me through my job search lull.  I started looking at job postings not as career pathways, but as learning pathways that aligned with my career interests.  I searched for opportunities to leverage specific strengths and skills, and for positions that allowed me to pick up new ones.  I made better links to how my job search was contributing to my career narrative. When I started looking at my career as a portfolio of skills and strengths and interests, rather than a timeline of jobs.  That made finding a job much more fun!

What is the single best piece of advice you would offer other job-seekers?

There are a ton of great resources out there and there’s certainly no shortage of good job search advice.  The messages that resonated the most with me were the ones that I told myself. Like many job seekers, I faced rejection and uncertainty, but it was never helpful to hear it from within.  Beyond keeping a positive mindset: be good to yourself and surround yourself with people who are supportive of your career aspirations.

Why do you love your job?

My job allows me the opportunity to assist others as they launch, develop and maximize their fundraising and philanthropic activity. In other words, I get to empower volunteers and fundraisers to change the world for the better. I’m lucky enough to be in a role where I can encourage and support these individuals, and I’m inspired everyday by the works of people who see a need and choose to do something about it.   

The post Focus Your Job Search Before Applying for Positions: Brock Vasconcellos’s Job Search Story appeared first on Mac's List.

5 Conversation Starters For Networking Events

As someone who goes to 100+ networking events a year, I’ve heard (and tried) all of the networking lines. The great thing about events is that most of the time, people are there to connect and are open to some conversation in a way that people in a coffee shop or in a line at a movie theater are not. In combination with open body language (i.e., a smile, uncrossed arms, stance angled toward the room), the right opening line can be the start of some incredible connections.

5 Networking Conversation Starters

This is a breakdown of five of my favorite conversation starters, and an explanation of why and how they work. Plus, read through to learn three lines that work to gracefully exit a conversation when you are ready to leave a networking event.

“I’m starving – have you had a chance to try the sandwiches yet? Are they any good?”

When to try this conversation starter: Any live event – you can offer up a comment or ask a simple opinion on the food, drinks, temperature, feature of the space, etc. It’s the easiest and most innocuous of conversation starters and requires very minimal observations on your part.

Why it works: Just making the first move puts a lot of people at ease and breaks the ice quickly and in a low-risk way. Also, a simple question allows you to ask a more interesting follow-up question, or to keep it breezy and focused on the drink options. Just make sure you’re focusing on the positive – no one likes to start a conversation with someone who is complaining about the quality of the event.

“How did you hear about the event?”

When to try this conversation starter: At a programmed event, where there’s a theme or a specific topic to be discussed. Everyone at the event should be interested in the topic, or have a reason to be there, so that’s a great place to start the conversation.

Why it works: Most people feel more comfortable talking about an external subject (versus getting personal right away) with a stranger, so it’s nice to start on common ground when you’re at an event. It’s a safe bet to assume that the other attendees care – or at least know something – about the event. So either ask folks something related to what’s being discussed, or start with what you’re hoping to get out of the discussion. Once you’ve established some interest about the topic, you’ve got lots of options to deepen the conversation: ask them to elaborate on their area of interest, tell them more about what you hope to learn and why, or bring it towards more personal territory by asking whether the topic relates to their work. 

“I love your shoes! I’ve been looking for a pair just like that.”

When to try this conversation starter: When you’re standing by yourself, feeling awkward, or don’t know what else to say. This line allows you to seek someone out without being pushy or seeming awkward, as long as you deliver it with a smile and keep it low-key.

Why it works: This one is great when you’re feeling unsure. Everyone likes a compliment (as long as it’s authentic!), and a compliment doesn’t require you to know anything about your new contact, or the event. Plus, you might end up with a recommendation for a pair of shoes that are comfortable to wear.

“This looks like a fun group! Do you mind if I join?”

When to try this conversation starter: When you see a group you want to join, but don’t know anyone in the group personally. Typically, people at networking events have fairly loose connections, so it’s not as if you’re breaking into a private moment. And, everyone likes to be called fun – how can they say no to that?  

Why it works: Although you’re technically giving them an out, being polite means you’ll more than likely see the circle physically open up to you. You can smooth out the pause by telling them to continue the conversation or using one of the other lines, like a compliment to one of the group members or asking generally why they’re at the event. It can take a little bit of practice, but a smile and willingness to listen goes a long way.

“I’m a little anxious. I don’t go to events like this very often – do you know how they usually go?”

When to try this conversation starter: Anywhere! Being (or at least seeming) a little vulnerable works well in many situations, because, chances are, the other person could be feeling anxious, happy, stressed, tired, or excited too.

Why it works: People want to be heard and understood. They’re also scared of being rejected or embarrassed or worried about being taken advantage of. Putting yourself out there first makes it much easier for the other person to open up a little more. There is a lot out there about being vulnerable at events, and some of it might be true, but putting yourself out there is a powerful way to make a strong and interesting connection with someone.

3 Lines to Make a Graceful Exit

And, once you’ve reached a natural ending point, here are three lines to gracefully end a conversation:

“I’m parched – I’m going to grab another drink – enjoy the rest of your evening!”

When to try it: If you’re talking to someone who is draining your energy, it’s fine to wrap up politely and walk way.

Why it works: Taking care of a need – food, drink, bathroom, phone call – are all external to the person. So, you’re not walking away because they are boring, or talking too much, or smell bad, etc. You’re walking away because you have to do something else. It’s a nice way of ending the conversation firmly and quickly.

“You should meet Katie! Katie, Joe was just telling me about this great marketing project they wrapped up last week. Joe, Katie is my favorite marketing person – I think she’d be interested to hear about what you were up to.”

When to try it: When you have other people to talk to, but want to leave your conversational partner in good hands. You can pull this move in a larger group, by getting someone to replace you and filling them in on the topic of conversation.

Why it works: This move frees you up while building goodwill between two more people. You’ve given them a conversation starter and some context, and can feel confident in moving on. Although this works when you know both people, it also works with strangers! You can make a bit of an excuse – “I’m going to grab another drink” – and then introduce your conversation partner to a stranger saying something like, “Justin was just telling me about this really interesting project he’s working on – it’s worth hearing about!” Then you can slip away.

“I don’t want to take up all of your time! It was such a pleasure to meet you – I’d love to keep in touch.”

When to try it: You’re leaving, or planning on talking to someone in particular, or have to run to the restroom.

Why it works: The classic “it’s not you, it’s me!” You’ve let them know that you’ve enjoyed their company, and want to follow up, but have to leave. It ends the conversation effectively, but also allows you to continue you it online later. It works best if you jot a little note on your phone or in a handy notebook with the person’s name and any details you need to remember about them, and follow up in a timely manner.

Hopefully these lines will help you feel like a networking master at your next event. But remember! – you don’t need to follow a script to connect with someone. No matter how you strike up a conversation, if you listen to your new connection, and always, always, always ask more questions, you’re going to have a good time.

The post 5 Conversation Starters For Networking Events appeared first on Mac's List.

Using Your Network To Find Unique Opportunities: Elizabeth Roberts’ Job Search Success Story

Elizabeth Roberts was passionate about finding a career that combined her two passions: education and events. Within a month, she was able to locate a position via her network that suited her interests. Read Elizabeth’s success story to see how hard work, patience, and being proactive with her network, paid off in the long run.

What do you do for a career? Who do you work for?

I create memorable event experiences for The International Society for Technology in Education. ISTE is a nonprofit organization that works with the global education community to accelerate the use of technology to solve tough problems and inspire innovation.

How long did it take you to find this job?

I was determined to combine my two passions, education and creating novel event experiences. Within a month, my new position found me and I found it.

How did you find your job? What resources did you use? What tool or tactic helped the most?

A good friend of mine introduced me to her friend who works at an agency specializing in matching creatives to creative positions. We met and I shared my goal of seeking to combine my passion for education with my expertise in events. As soon as this unique opportunity became available, they reached out to me about the position and introduced me to ISTE.

An important job searching tool that has worked for me is having conversations with people, not just reaching out to people online or via career sites. You can’t underestimate the power of connections and asking for what you want.   

What was the most difficult part of your job search? How did you overcome this challenge?

I honestly did not know if I could find a position that would allow me to combine my first career in teaching with my second career in hospitality. With hard work, patience and being proactive with my network, I was able to combine my two passions.

What is the single best piece of advice you would offer other job-seekers?

Keep meeting new people! Consider inviting a new person out to coffee or lunch every week.

Why do you love your job?

It’s an honor to be able to provide inspiring experiences for educators. Educators play a significant role in inspiring students to become their best selves. I also work with an incredible team and enjoy being able to utilize my former experiences as a teacher in a new way.

The post Using Your Network To Find Unique Opportunities: Elizabeth Roberts’ Job Search Success Story appeared first on Mac's List.

Jobs at Certified B Corporations: Why You Should Build a B Corp Career

When I ask job seekers what kind of work they are looking for, I often get variations of the same answer: I want a job that means something.

Sure, people want a good paycheck. We all have bills to pay! But more fundamentally, we want work that matters. This desire for meaningful work steers many people into the nonprofit sector. Nonprofits are mission-driven, and offer that chance to make a difference. However, there are more options for people who want a socially impactful career that you may not know about. For instance, you can work for a Certified B Corporation, or a B Corp for short. 

B Corps are a cool hybrid in the business community, and offer a unique opportunity to grow your career and make a difference. Full disclosure: Mac’s List is a Certified B Corporation and very proud of it.

 Let me tell you more about what B Corps are all about, and why they can be great places to build your career. 

What is a B Corp?

If you’ve never heard of a B Corp, that’s okay. It’s a relatively new type of business certification, started in 2006. An increasing number of organizations are becoming B Corps, creating huge career opportunities for socially-minded professionals.

In short, B Corps are for-profit organizations using business as a force for social good.

B Corps are unique, hybrid businesses that combine the entrepreneurial spirit of a for-profit venture with a strong social mission. They are designed and run to maximize a triple bottom line: profit is still a motive but B Corps are equally driven to improve social and environmental conditions where they operate.

The social mission isn’t just a side project or a marketing gimmick. B Corps are independently certified and held accountable to the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability. Pretty cool, right? 

B Corps also vary widely in industry, mission, and size. They range from small businesses, like our team at Mac’s List, to large multinational enterprises, like Patagonia, Unilever, and Danone. The B Corp movement is particularly strong here in the Pacific Northwest. We’re home to more Certified B Corporations, per capita, than anywhere else in the world.

B Corps in Oregon
B Corps in Washington
B Corps in Idaho

Why you want to work for a B Corp

Here are a few reasons why B Corps are particularly exciting organizations to work for.

B Corps are mission-driven

If you, like so many others, are looking for work that connects to a larger purpose, B Corps are a natural fit, as a social mission is written into the organization’s DNA.

Every B Corp has its own particular mission focus. Here at Mac’s List, we’re all about helping people find great work. Other B Corps might focus on environmental issues, or sustainability, or economic empowerment. Whatever your passion, there’s likely a B Corp that aligns with that interest.

All B Corps share a commitment to operating ethical, responsible and sustainable businesses. As we’ll see below, these values drive almost all business operations, including how B Corps relate to their employees and the community at-large.

B Corps care about their employees

Tired of feeling like a cog in the system? B Corps offer a great employee-friendly alternative to “business as usual.”

Part of the B Corp certification process focuses how the business supports its workers. Companies that achieve certification have demonstrated a commitment to building a healthy, sustainable, and engaging working environment for all employees.

In practice, this dedication to employee experience manifests in different ways, from collective decision-making, to worker wellbeing committees, to regular employment satisfaction assessments, and even, in some cases, allocation of ownership shares with employees.  

Bottom line: people who work for B Corps more often get treated as vital contributors, who deserve to be treated like human beings, and have a say in how the organization operates.

B Corps offer extensive benefits packages

In addition to a positive work environment, many B Corps also provide employees with solid benefits. As for-profit entities, B Corps can often afford better benefits that those found in the nonprofit sector; and as socially-minded businesses, the benefits are also generally more generous than those from comparable private sector businesses.

For example, salaries at B Corps are generally higher than the established market rate. (This is particularly true with for non-executive employees.) B Corps also consistently offer above-average vacation and sick leave, retirement plans, flexible scheduling, and health insurance. In fact, many B Corps even extend these benefits to part-time and contract workers.      

Some B Corps go the extra-mile to create fun benefits for employees. Here are some of the more unique benefits that local B Corps offer:

“Made up” paid holidays to provide employees three-day weekends in any month where there isn’t already a “real” holiday break. (Offered at Noto Group)
All-expense paid learning trips to Central America, to visit the farms where the company sources it’s coffee (Offered at Nossa Familia Coffee)
A “Golden Ticket” to fly anywhere in the world, provided to employees after three years of work. (Offered at Wanderwell)

B Corps give back to the community (and the world)

B Corps are also judged by their impact on the communities in which they operate. The certification process for B Corps places heavy emphasis on building sustainable, zero-impact business operations. There’s also a strong push to hire local and use local sourcing of suppliers.

Moreover, B Corps incentivize work community involvement. Many organizations provide paid time off for volunteer work.

Dozens of local B Corps are working everyday to help our Portland community continue to grow and flourish. If you would like to work for a local B Corp in the Portland and the Pacific Northwest, Mac’s List has dozens of job listings from active, community-minded organizations. Search Mac’s List jobs to find more opportunities with B Corps in Portland and beyond.

You can also find out more about Portland’s B Corps and learn why they’re great places to work. Visit B Local PDX Job Seeking & Hiring Resources.

The post Jobs at Certified B Corporations: Why You Should Build a B Corp Career appeared first on Mac's List.

Changing Industries in A New City: Amy Chu’s Job Search Success Story

Contemplating a career change that would require you to move industries? Amy Chu faced this decision when she relocated from the Bay Area to Portland, Oregon. Amy had to decide if she wanted to continue working in the technology sector, or pursue a community-driven job with a nonprofit organization. Amy made a decision to pursue a job that serves the community and informed her network of her intentions. After a three month search, Amy landed a job with Sisters of the Road, an organization dedicated to ending poverty and homelessness forever by providing accessible, nourishing meals in a safe, dignified space. Read Amy’s success story to discover what resources she used in her search, how she overcome challenges, and what strategies were most effective.

What do you do for a career? Who do you work for?

I am the Data and Information Administrator for Sisters of the Road, a nonprofit Cafe in the Old Town neighborhood working to create systemic change that will end poverty and homelessness forever by providing accessible, nourishing meals in a safe, dignified space.

How long did it take you to find this job?

It took me about three months of active job searching to find my current job. I made it clear while I was job hunting that I was looking for meaningful work, and many people I knew in Portland suggested I apply at Sisters of the Road. Fortunately for me, they had an open position which I applied for and was invited in for an interview.

How did you find your job? What resources did you use? What tool or tactic helped the most?

I found the job on the Sisters of the Road employment web page through word-of-mouth recommendations. I was also using Mac’s List, PDX Pipeline, LinkedIn Jobs, and recruitment agencies. Scheduling informational interviews with nonprofit professionals I found on LinkedIn helped me build a support network and learn more about the nonprofit sector.

What was the most difficult part of your job search? How did you overcome this challenge?

Deciding whether moving into the nonprofit sector would be the right transition for me after working in the technology sector was tough. Job hunting in Portland is also very different from job hunting in the Bay Area. The technology sector is smaller, and the creative and nonprofit sectors are more prevalent.

I overcame this challenge by reading Mac Prichard’s book “Land Your Dream Job in Portland (and Beyond)” while cultivating a support network. The book identified job boards I had never heard of, local nonprofit networking groups, and much more. I also landed more phone and in-person interviews once I started tailoring my cover letter and resume to each position that caught my interest.

What is the single best piece of advice you would offer other job-seekers?

Figure out what you are looking for in your next job and request informational interviews with individuals who have similar jobs.

Why do you love your job?

My job requires me to be the database expert, responsible for the input, tracking, and reporting of data related to revenue, as well as generating tax and gift acknowledgements. This is befitting because I enjoy working with software, analyzing data, and making sure the data is accurate. I also enjoy providing database training and support to our volunteers and staff because I like helping others learn new things.

Last but not least, I believe that working towards building authentic relationships and alleviating the hunger of isolation in an atmosphere of nonviolence and gentle personalism that nurtures the whole individual, while seeking systemic solutions that reach the roots of homelessness and poverty to end them forever is a worthy mission.

Food insecurity is a huge problem, particularly for folks experiencing extreme poverty and/or homelessness. Sisters has been working alongside Portland’s unhoused community to increase access to nourishing food in a dignified and community-oriented space since 1979.

In addition to the Cafe and our Food Justice programming, our Systemic Change Team works to organize to address the threatening inequities our customer community faces daily. Sisters is a founding member of the Western Regional Advocacy Project (W.R.A.P), and we continue to organize in support of the Homeless Bill of Rights Campaign to decriminalize houselessness.

The post Changing Industries in A New City: Amy Chu’s Job Search Success Story appeared first on Mac's List.

Join Portland’s Tech Community: 15 Local Networking Opportunities

Portland’s tech industry is robust, and there are more opportunities than ever for professionals to connect with others in the local tech community. However, it can be hard to know where to get started. Whether you’re a seasoned tech industry pro or looking at tech as a new career path, Portland has opportunities for you to network and meet new people who can help grow your career. Here’s a list of networking opportunities in Portland to help you get involved in the tech sector. Check them out! They’re all great ways to make new connections, attend more local events, and build a better network in Portland tech.

Technology Association of Oregon

The Technology Association of Oregon is a recognized leader in promoting and supporting the tech industry in Oregon. TAO supports entrepreneurs, creates connections within the tech community, and promotes the sharing of knowledge and expertise. There are several ways to get involved, from becoming a member, to exploring volunteer opportunities, to attending some of their many great events. Their annual Tech Tours are an opportunity to get inside some of Oregon’s top tech offices with open house style events that typically happen every fall. You can also sign up to receive their online guide to the Oregon and Southwest Washington tech industry, Techlandia.

Learn more: techoregon.org

 

PDX Women in Tech

PDX Women in Tech is a nonprofit organization that celebrates and empowers individuals who identify as women, non-binary, and those who are underrepresented in the tech industry. PDX Women in Tech nurtures leadership and talent through community- and skill-building events, mentorship, and by providing access to tech jobs and opportunities. They’re also a powerful and growing community, driving improvements in local tech workplaces with data from real workers in their State of the Community report. 

Learn more: pdxwit.org

 

Silicon Florist

If you’re looking for an expert voice from deep within Portland’s tech industry, look no further than the Silicon Florist. For over a decade, founder, national speaker, and author Rick Turoczy has covered tech news in Portland’s startup and broader tech community through the Silicon Florist website, email newsletter, and social media channels. He offers insider perspectives on local tech industry news and if you sign up for a weekly newsletter, you’ll not only learn about what’s happening in tech nationally and locally but you’ll also hear about the best networking events to attend. 

Learn more: siliconflorist.com

 

Calagator

Calagator is a treasure trove of networking events for tech professionals in Portland. Started over ten years ago with the intention of establishing one unified calendar for the tech community, Calagator is a flexible and easy-to-use way to stay on top of events in tech. Anyone can import, create, and edit events. Calagator offers an in-depth view of Portland’s networking scene, from the biggest, nationally-advertised conferences to the intimate, niche gatherings at coffee shops.

Learn more: calagator.org

 

TechTown

TechTown originated over five years ago in an effort to showcase Portland as a place where tech companies and professionals could thrive. It has since grown into a dynamic collaboration offering support to individuals from all backgrounds to develop their tech careers in the region. It provides a list of local companies that are hiring, and hosts events that, in their words, “help cultivate a diverse, homegrown talent pipeline and inclusive work environment.”

Learn more: techtownportland.com

 

PTIX—Portland Tech Intern Experience

PTIX provides a valuable bridge between tech job seekers without industry experience and Portland companies looking for new talent. Partnering with exciting and influential companies, PTIX minimizes the barriers to breaking into tech in Portland. It hosts events such as CEO panels and other networking opportunities to connect interns to job opportunities and meet decision-makers in Portland’s tech community.

Learn more: pdxtix.org

 

NewTech PDX

NewTech PDX is a vibrant community with more than 7,000 members. Hundreds of people gather on the third Monday of every month to experience and celebrate some of the latest technologies developed right here in Portland. Not only can you enjoy amazing product demos, you’ll get to meet lots of tech professionals over great local food and drinks. Sign up for the next one or even better, volunteer! Stay informed about other events by subscribing to their newsletter.

Learn more: newtechpdx.com

 

Portland Tech Summit

The Portland Tech Summit is an event where tech professionals and business owners can learn about all the latest IT trends and information to set their organizations up for success. You’ll hear about best practices of leading companies as well as new innovative tech solutions helping solve their problems. Over lunch you’ll have time to connect with other professionals in your field.

Learn more: portland-summit.org

 

PortlandTech.org

A project developed by WorkSource Oregon, PortlandTech.org started off as a resource to publicize the many work opportunities in Portland’s tech industry. The site now offers a number of valuable resources for networking in tech, such as an incredibly detailed and specific list of jobs filtered by skill-set, language, and preferred system as well as positions from intern to management level. In addition, they maintain a calendar for community tech events, including includes trainings available in the area, as well as prep help for coding interviews and more.  

Learn more: portlandtech.org

 

PDX Startups

PDX Startups is a “crowdsourced resource platform connecting and supporting Portland’s growing startup ecosystem.” The website hosts a comprehensive directory of locally connected startup organizations, plus a database of investors. If you’re in the startup world, make sure you’ve got a presence here. And if you’re looking to get involved with startups in Portland, it’s a great resource to get oriented. You’ll also find other resources for startup folks linked here, including the PDX Startup Slack channel and Silicon Florist’s Startup Switchboard.

 Learn more: pdxstartups.org

 

2019 Nonprofit Technology Conference

The Nonprofit Technology Conference (NTC) draws over 2,000 nonprofit professionals from all over the world to Portland every year. Organized by the Portland-based Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network, an invaluable resource in its own right, NTC boasts over 100 sessions exhibiting the most innovative technologies and strategies as well as networking events every night, it’s a dynamic place to collaborate with other nonprofit tech professionals passionate about creating change through technology.

Learn more: nten.org/ntc

 

TechfestNW

A global tech conference in the northwest, TechfestNW is an exciting gathering of startups and tech professionals from all over the world. A combination of speakers, workshops, parties, a demo floor full of the latest gadgets, and crowd favorite PitchfestNW, TechfestNW has something for everyone. 

Learn more: techfestnw.com

 

Portland Tech Meetups

The international networking hub Meetup operates on the philosophy that “Getting together with real people in real life makes powerful things happen.” Find other real people in the Portland tech community on Portland Tech Meetups. If you’re an avid bitcoin enthusiast, a web designer hoping to break into the industry, or anywhere in between, you’ll probably find a group perfect for you. It’s as easy as signing up.

Learn more: meetup.com/cities/us/or/portland/tech

 

ChickTech

ChickTech is a national organization with a mission to empower, increase, and retain women in the tech industry. You’ll find a broad range of networking and mentoring opportunities from their intergenerational tech-centered events. Events range from social happy hours to soft-skill and technical workshops to their annual ACT-W Conference. You can find out about their latest Portland-based events by following them on Meetup.

Learn more: portland.chicktech.org

 

Women Who Code

Women Who Code is an international nonprofit organization that “envisions a world where women are proportionally represented as technical leaders, executives, founders, VCs, board members, and software engineers.” With a membership of over 167,000 tech professionals, Women Who Code offers skills training, fosters community, and develops role models to inspire women to pursue their tech careers. Join the Portland chapter to get access to coding resources, leadership opportunities, and scholarships.

Learn more: womenwhocode.com/portland

 

Networking for tech professionals in Portland has never been easier. It’s just about finding the right fit for you. Choose one or more communities to get plugged into and start building a robust network that will support your aspirations in this exciting, growing field. And let us know if there’s an event or organization that we should add to this list! You can always email me at mac@macslist.org. Happy networking! 

The post Join Portland’s Tech Community: 15 Local Networking Opportunities appeared first on Mac's List.

The Power of Informational Interviews: Natalie O’Grady’s Job Search Story

Navigating a new job market as a new graduate can be daunting. One place to start is by setting up informational interviews. Natalie O’Grady found that informational interviews helped uncover new career opportunities, plus she was able to grow her networking skills and cultivate valuable relationships for her career. As a new resident of Portland, Oregon, Natalie said sitting down with potential employers was incredibly worthwhile, even if some of those conversations did not lead directly to a job offer. Read on for Natalie’s job search advice, insights on the Portland community, and more.

What do you do for a career? Who do you work for?

I work for A.wordsmith, a boutique PR firm in Portland.

My job encompasses media outreach, social media management, influencer marketing, content development and thought leadership development for a clients in consumer, B2B and nonprofit industries.

How long did it take you to find this job?

I moved to Portland in early 2015. My then-boyfriend, now-husband had gotten a job here and I started searching for jobs as soon as I found out I was moving. It took me around 8 months to find the role I have now, and I started in September 2015.

How did you find your job? What resources did you use? What tool or tactic helped the most?

I quickly realized that browsing around Indeed and other sites likely wasn’t giving me the full picture of opportunities. Being from out of state, I was completely clueless about the Portland market and PR community.

I started Googling “public relations agencies in Portland” and began sending out emails to see if I could get a few informational interviews. I met several great people this way, but none of their agencies currently had openings that fit. Through these Google searches, I eventually stumbled across a link to a listing on Mac’s List. I was so relieved to find a job search site that was locally focused, and allowed me to search for PR jobs specifically!

I found an A.wordsmith job posting on Mac’s List for an account manager role, which I didn’t quite qualify for at the time. However, I sent an informational interview request to the President, Ann Smith, and she had me come in for an interview. Luckily for me, they were also in need of someone at my level.

What was the most difficult part of your job search? How did you overcome this challenge?

The most difficult part was learning to understand the Portland market specifically as a brand new graduate and brand new Oregonian. Setting up informational interviews with agencies, even those that weren’t hiring, was extremely helpful in starting to network in a new area.

What is the single best piece of advice you would offer other job-seekers?

Set up informational interviews, even if you don’t think they’ll lead to a position! You’re still networking, making valuable connections for down the road, and gaining insight into your local industry. It’s also great practice for actual job interviews!

Why do you love your job?

As a small agency, we get to work with a huge variety of clients and we all get to work together on at least one account. It’s an amazing feeling to come up with a campaign idea, get the client on board, do the outreach, secure a placement and see it publish – and manage the whole thing from start to finish!

The post The Power of Informational Interviews: Natalie O’Grady’s Job Search Story appeared first on Mac's List.