Losing Talent? Here's Why... [Infographic]

Here they are!The Top 5 Reasons Why Top Talent Leave Their Jobs:

Unfortunately, many of these concerns are management or avoidable with intentional care to employees and workplace culture. What are you doing to protect your top talent from these disappointing factors?

Talking Succession with Trinity Western University

By Ashley Freedman, Trinity Western University

TWU and Hutchinson Group have a shared common goal: raising leaders for the marketplaces of the world. The Alumni Office is proud to have Hutchinson Group as the title sponsor of the Alumni Weekend 2013’s community stage.

We connected with David Hutchinson, President and CEO of Hutchinson Group, to discuss a hot topic in today’s non-profit sector: succession.

Succession is anticipated to be one of the greatest challenges faced by charities in the next ten years as the majority of Canada’s 86,600 charitable organizations struggle to find new capable leaders.
 

TWU business alumnus David Hutchinson (’88), is ready to take on this challenge. He has a vision for helping build strong non-profits in Canada that are led by capable and passionate leaders.

 
David’s executive search firm has a strong understanding of the needs and challenges faced by non-profits. They specialize in finding skilled professionals who can lead and build non-profit organizations.

David sees succession as the biggest, most important issue facing the charitable sector. In Canada, there is a need for more qualified candidates to fill the leadership positions at non-profits, particularly in fundraising. The reason for this is a generational gap in talent. The charitable sector has not always been considered a desirable career choice.

Current leadership is made up of baby boomers who didn’t study non-profit business, but are qualified through years of experience. Non-profit leadership specialization in higher education is a growing area of study.

As a result, though the next generation desires a profession in the charitable sphere and seeks formal training, it lacks any practical experience. Therein lies the gap between the two generational groups—one is ready to retire, the next isn’t prepared to take over, or is waiting for the opportunity.

While succession is a major issue, David recognizes that there is a solution. “The key to succession,” he says, “is succession planning—identifying and developing leadership potential internally. Organizations need to ask themselves who will be their next leader. Recognizing potential internal talent and nurturing it is essential for the longevity of a non-profit.” Proactively developing a talent pool of both internal and external candidates is key in order to identify the most qualified individual.

“At Hutchinson Group, we want to identify the best talent for our clients’ needs while being realistic and embracing the charitable sector’s evolving nature, compared to the corporate and private sectors,” says David. “We look for people with a heart for the cause.”

David encourages current students and new alumni of TWU’s School of Business to not underestimate the potential within the charitable sector. There is a growing convergence within business practice: money is no longer the bottom line—some investors value social impact as well as they do financial return. This is seen through organizations giving, creating, and partnering with charities. Consequently, there is room in all areas of business for strong Christian-value-based leadership and an understanding of charitable business practices. “An understanding of how to make an impact with hearts and souls is invaluable in today’s marketplace,” says David, “and that is not limited to charities.”

Currently, Hutchinson Group has partnered with the University to assist in the search for TWU’s next president—a big job, but one that it is very qualified to take on.

The Dollars & $ense of Employee Engagement (infographic)

Should I Lie on My Résume?

As a professional resume writer, HR manager and career coach for over 10 years, I have come across this controversial issue more times than I can count. Let’s say you have been actively pursuing employment for over a year and keep being told you’re over qualified by recruiters, so you start thinking to yourself, “maybe I should remove some of my older jobs or change the job titles to something less managerial.” For example, if you wanted to effectively lie on your resume, you’d want to remove the job title of your previous employer from District Sales Manager to Sales Representative and remove any verbiage related to leading teams or managing daily operations. Obviously this might make you appear less “over qualified” and in return prompt the reader of your resume to consider you for the job. While this may actually happen, you must use caution and think about the long-term repercussions of such an action.

Can a job seeker be jailed for lying on their resume? The short answer is no, but there may be other serious consequences which I will explain below:
 
Scenario #1 – Lying on Your Resume:

You have been unemployed for quite some time and decide to lie on the resume by exaggerating your experiences, altering your actual job titles to read differently, removing dates from older jobs, leaving the dates of your most recent employer as (still presently working) even though you were laid off, eliminating jobs altogether, or even worse – including degrees from colleges that you never earned. Keep in mind that employers try to verify EVERYTHING before hiring you and it is very likely they will find out one way or the other. Not only are some of these tactics unethical and could get you fired down the road, but it is considered fraudulent and could hold some legal ramifications in certain situations. While it is unlikely someone could get jail time for lying on a resume, civil damages could arise if something happens at the job that causes harm to the business or a client of the business and they later find out you lied about your credentials on the resume. To put this into a more simple perspective, just don’t do it!
 
Scenario #2 – Being Truthful on Your Resume:

You are still unemployed after several months of hiring-manger rejection and job turndowns, but not selling your soul to the Devil is more important than deceiving your way into a new career. While this might subject yourself to some hard times ahead in the short term, the long-term benefits will be far greater because when you do get the job, you won’t get fired for lying! Yes, recruiters may be telling you over and over again that you are over qualified. However, this should not deter you from your better moral judgment. Instead, their discouraging words should motivate you to start targeting jobs where your qualifications balance with the level of requirements and set your sights a little hire. Doing this will not only help you find a more stable career path, but it will increase your chances at gaining a higher salary.

In today’s economy, we see many job seekers selling themselves short by applying for jobs they are over qualified for out of pure desperation. This is understandable if you were laid off unexpectedly, but if you are still employed and looking for a new career, plan ahead and keep your resume fresh. Effective career management strategies such as making sure you have at least a three month stash of funds to hold you over can greatly benefit the outcome of your job search. Anxiety during a job search is never good, and one should never succumb to lying on their resume to get a job. Prepare yourself ahead of time and I can almost assure you the process will go much smoother than expected.
 
Conclusion:

Is there any benefit at all to lying on my resume? The only benefit to lying on your resume would be getting a job that you are not really 100% qualified for. You are not only putting a business in a bad position by doing this, but you are harming career as well. While you may find employment much quicker by doing this, more than likely your boss will eventually find out and fire you. If you get into the habit of doing this and end up “job-hopping”, your resume will become even less effective in the future. How are you going to explain why you only lasted a few weeks at your last three jobs? Don’t even think about hiding these jobs from your resume because employers can always see who you worked for by using your social security number. If you’ve ever had a credit check done, you should know that the reports sometimes show the name of your prior employers. There are many ways for them to find out.

In summary, it is just best not to lie on your resume at all if you want a rewarding, long-lasting career.

Source: The UndercoverRecruiter.com

4 Ways to Show You’re Ready for Management

You’ve got several years of experience under your belt, you’ve put in your fair share of time, sweat, and tears, and by your calculations, it’s your turn to move up into a leadership position.

But, a job well done in the business world isn’t like a standardized test—your past performance doesn’t necessarily predict a successful future in management. And if your last official leadership role was coaching your intramural softball team, it might be time to start thinking a little more seriously about your plan to move up.

My advice? Start with the person who has the power to actually promote you: your manager. To prove to your boss that you’re management material, it’s all about your attitude and willingness to do more than just fulfill your basic job description.

To make sure you’re putting yourself in the right light, here are a few tips to impress your manager and prove you’re ready to climb that corporate ladder.

1. Be a Problem Solver

Leaders don’t just wait to be told what to do—they think strategically about what needs to be done, and then they do it. So, next time you’re faced with a challenge, don’t just tell your boss about the problem and wait for a solution. Instead, tell him or her how you’re going to fix it.

For example, let’s say your website’s traffic is down. It may be tempting to fall into the same routine of reporting it to your boss and simply waiting for direction—but to prove you’re fit to be a leader, kick your creativity into gear and start thinking of new solutions. Maybe you could develop a strategy to attract new audiences by hosting a contest on your Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn sites to attract more followers and further engage current ones to help you spread your message. When you present the problem along with its possible solutions, your manager will recognize your initiative and dedication to the company’s success.

And look at internal issues, too: If you think there are ways to do your job more efficiently, test those solutions and present them. You won’t only make your life easier—you’ll prove to your boss that you’re ready to improve the entire department’s operations.

2. Take on (Small) Management Opportunities

One of the best ways to show that you’re ready for a leadership role is to find small ways to manage people or projects. You’ll build your management skills, of course—but more importantly, you’ll start being viewed as a team leader.

To snag some of these opportunities, you first have to make it known that you’re ready for more responsibility. So, try asking your boss if there are any managerial tasks you can take off his or her plate, like training new hires, taking on a summer intern, leading meetings, or overseeing small project teams. Is your manager going on vacation before the summer ends? Check in before he or she leaves to see how you can step in during that time.

You can prove your leadership skills through more casual means, too: Offer to help plan the company picnic or volunteer with co-workers at a community event. As you take on more responsibility (and follow through with successful results), you’ll prove that you’re committed to your team and will do what it takes to get things done.

3. Understand the Whole Company—Not Just Your Role

To be an effective manager, you’ll need a 360-degree view of the company. With the right information, you’ll be better equipped to make informed decisions and develop the right strategies to push your department forward. So, spend some time learning as much as you can about your business as a whole.

First, nail the basics: Act as if you’re an outsider researching the company for an interview and (if you’re not 100% familiar with them already) read up on the business’ current vision and goals. Then, move on to the most recent annual report and press releases to delve into company operations, strategies, and challenges. And don’t forget to research your competitors, too, to see exactly where you rank in your industry.

Then, consider your personal knowledge of the internal workings of your company. If there’s an area you don’t know too much about—like finance, human resources, or supply chain management—introduce yourself to people in that department and ask if you can shadow them for an afternoon to learn a little about what they do on a daily basis. You’ll impress your boss by proving that you’re interested in more than own responsibilities—but you’ll also understand how other departments work together to contribute to the company’s overall success.



4. Be Professional

Finally, as you’re thinking about how to get to the next level, remember to make sure that you’re exemplary in what you do now. Would you want a manager who misses deadlines, forgets to answer emails, and gossips about other employees? Of course not—and even though you’re not a supervisor yet, you shouldn’t be displaying those behaviors, either.

Instead, demonstrate a good work ethic by being on time and courteous to other co-workers. Avoid office gossip, aim to have the reputation of someone who everyone can trust, and approach your everyday tasks with a positive attitude.

I know—it seems simple. But sometimes, it’s all about the basics. At the end of the day, if you’re the go-to person your boss and co-workers can always count on, you’ll be on the right track to move up.
Once you perfect the intangible qualities of a leader—like responsibility, initiative, problem solving, vision, and follow-through—you’ll prove that you can add value to your company in a management position. It might take time, but that’s OK: It’ll put you in the perfect light when the opportunity for a promotion comes up.

Source: The Daily Muse by Heather Schlichting,

VIDEO: Young Donors Give Advice for Online Fundraising

Young donors want to know where their money is going

and what their gifts will accomplish. 

Those are two of the key lessons from young donors interviewed in videos produced by Achieve, a fundraising consulting firm that in July released its annual Millennial Impact Report.

"I guess I'm not sure where the money is going, which would be what I want to know," said one young donor viewing the donation page for the American Pianists Association.

Another donor viewing the Nature Conservancy's mobile home page didn't feel compelled to click the prominent "donate now" button because she didn't know anything about the group other than that it "did good."

Some proof of what the money would do can go a long way.

One donor, viewing the online donation form for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, was impressed that the organization gave examples of what small gifts could accomplish.

"For $50 a month having a coming-off-of-chemo party is just the cutest idea I've ever heard," she said.

In the video below, see young donors provide their critiques of nonprofit Web sites, and watch for more videos like this in the coming weeks.  

WATCH VIDEO HERE

 By Cody Switzer, Chronicle of Philanthropy