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Heather Krasna, MS, is the author of Jobs That Matter: Find a Stable, Fulfilling Career in Public Service (JIST, 2010) and Director of Career Services for the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Affairs. She has nearly 12 years of experience as a career advisor and employer relations specialist in colleges and universities, and has helped more than 7,000 job seekers to find jobs and internships. She has a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Milano the New School for Management and Urban Policy and a Certificate in Adult Career Planning and Development from NYU, and has served on several nonprofit boards of directors.
On occasion, I work with job-seekers who want to make a major career change or relocation to another country. LinkedIn can do wonders for rapidly expanding your connections in a new field or location, if you know how it works. The way it works is:
* You need to use the ... Read more
Many people dream of helping people in developing countries to lift themselves from poverty and improve their lives. Motivations for a career in international development range from starry-eyed idealism or a desire for cross-cultural experience and travel, to a specific desire to use one’s skills in a particular region.
Because so many people find international work to be exciting, and because opportunities in the field are limited and require specific skills, the job search can be extremely competitive. To be successful, it’s important to ... Read more
How to do a reference check—on your future boss
When you go through the job search process, it seems every piece of your life is under scrutiny. Your work history, references, credit history, and so on are all fair game for background checks. But have you considered doing a reference check on your future boss?
If you’re currently desperate to make a paycheck, maybe you needn’t bother worrying about whether your future boss or company will treat you with the utmost respect or fit your personality. But if you have some choice in the matter—say, you’re about to leave a great job for a new, hopefully great job—why not try to make sure you’re accepting a job with a boss and co-workers you’ll like?
The first step is to come up with a list of questions for your future employer. These questions should only be asked if and when you have an offer in hand. Asking them sooner can keep you from getting the offer. Asking your future boss these questions once you have an offer is reasonable, as long as you ensure you emphasize your strong interest in the role and ask them tactfully. Questions include: ... Read more
Both/And, not Either/Or
I recently worked with a job seeker who wanted to relocate fromSeattletoCaliforniato increase her intake of sunshine. She’d been trying to make the move happen for at least two years, mainly through traditional means—applying for open positions listed in her geographic area of interest. At some point, I suggested a more creative approach. ... Read more
The Fourth Option
One of my alumni recently had “the good problem”—too many job offers. She had three offers to choose from, each with different job functions, missions, salaries, and benefits. She sent me a note asking for my advice: ... Read more
It seems like an ideal situation. A job opens up at an organization you really want to work for, and it’s a good match for your skills. And– you actually know someone who works in the organization. Chances are, you probably don’t know the person that well. Maybe you worked with him or her a few years ago, or were classmates. You’re not even sure they remember you. Can they still help you get a job? ... Read more
In the public service/nonprofit/government employment realm, there are two types of jobs: mission-specific, and non-mission-specific support roles. Mission-specific jobs are usually related to programs delivered by a particular type of agency, such as jobs directing programs or delivering direct service. Some examples include running a homeless shelter, working as a forester, delivering arts education, or working as a librarian, architect, or college admissions counselor. ... Read more
It’s a little like dating. You have found your dream job or organization– but will they like you back, enough to hire you? If they reject you, does that make you a bad person or a failure? Putting yourself out there by networking, applying, and interviewing for jobs makes you very vulnerable to rejection, the same way that dating does. Some people get so emotionally invested in a particular job it even paralyzes them from applying, in case they get rejected.
Well, I’ll give the same advice I would if you were dating. If you put yourself out there and try to meet someone, or go on a blind date, you will have at least some percentage chance of connecting. If you never try, you will have a 100% chance of NOT connecting. Same with jobs. If you don’t apply, you have a 100% chance of not being selected.
... Read more
Timing is everything in the job search. This statement is true when it comes to applying before a job deadline, applying early and often, getting your references to reply quickly, and most of all when dealing with job interviews and offers. ... Read more
Second round interviews are sometimes more in-depth than the first round. In many cases, the first round or screening interview is with HR, and has some general questions (tell me about yourself, what are your strengths and weaknesses etc.). The second round is usually with the hiring manager and/or the team you’ll be working with.
... Read more
On occasion, I work with job-seekers who want to make a major career change or relocation to another country. LinkedIn can do wonders for rapidly expanding your connections in a new field or location, if you know how it works. The way it works is:
* You need to use the ... Read more
Many people dream of helping people in developing countries to lift themselves from poverty and improve their lives. Motivations for a career in international development range from starry-eyed idealism or a desire for cross-cultural experience and travel, to a specific desire to use one’s skills in a particular region.
Because so many people find international work to be exciting, and because opportunities in the field are limited and require specific skills, the job search can be extremely competitive. To be successful, it’s important to ... Read more
The Fourth Option
One of my alumni recently had “the good problem”—too many job offers. She had three offers to choose from, each with different job functions, missions, salaries, and benefits. She sent me a note asking for my advice: 
... Read more
