Build a personal brand. Everyone has a personal brand. You may not have cultivated it, but it’s there. Most people think of personal brands in terms of followers, likes, blog subscribers, etc. If this is your measurement, time to re-cut the cloth. Building a personal brand is the process of associating your name with particular traits. Check out Why Being a Jack-Of- All-Trades Won’t Help Your Personal Brand, written by Kathy Bloomgarden for Fortune. Optimize your resume for ATS. Many nonprofits and recruiting firms are now using applicant tracking systems (ATS). This means that most likely, 3 out of 4 resumes are never read by an actual person. You can increase your odds of being that special one by inserting the critical keywords often found in job descriptions into your resume. Manage your LinkedIn presence. Most nonprofit employers include a review of your social media, particularly Facebook and always LinkedIn. There are hundreds, if not thousands of professional LinkedIn coaches to help you build or improve your LinkedIn profile and posts. For the cost of a few hours, it is well worth the investment in your career. Entrepreneur published a great infographic full of helpful pointers for DYI: 18 Tips…

Holiday parties offer a great opportunity to socialize with your colleagues and to network with others in the industry. They can also be a minefield. Here are 5 tips to not only help you survive, but thrive at the next holiday party. Go. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to GO. You can arrive a little late and leave a little early if you must, but your presence is important. Your organization goes out of its way to plan and pay for holiday festivities.  Bosses care whether you show up. Prepare your party introduction just like you prepare an “elevator speech”. Holiday parties are a great way to meet professionals that you don’t interact with on a regular basis. Think about how you want to introduce yourself in advance. The most memorable introductions include business information with a personal twist. Disconnect from your Smartphone. Be in the moment. Don’t text, tweet or post while at the party. Focus on the opportunities in front of you and enjoy the people in the room. Break away. Get out of your comfort zone—use the event to meet new people and expand your network. An easy start is by recognizing and thanking those…

Holiday office parties are a great way to show appreciation and to keep teams engaged.  Remember these four tips to help you throw a fun and safe holiday party. Serve alcohol responsibly. Many nonprofit organizations skip alcohol at the office party, but if you serve, serve responsibility. Task the bartender, or someone at the bar, with monitoring intake. Arrange for safe-ride home vouchers by taxi, Uber, etc. Check your business insurance policy. Make sure that it’s up to date and covers potential risks at the party. Know what the Host Liability laws are in your state, and what your policy does or does not cover. Pay attention to decorations. Make sure that lights, power cords, and extension cords are properly used. Make sure your smoke detectors and fire safety equipment is properly working. Put the emphasis on celebration. Plan your party with a focus on diversity, inclusion and accommodation. You want everyone to feel welcome and to celebrate what your organization has accomplished this year.