Opportunities

Search Success! Kimberly Scharf is the New CEO of The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod!

No Comments

The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod and Pillar Search & HR Consulting are pleased to announce the appointment of Kimberly (Kim) Scharf to the position of CEO.

Kim brings a deep and unique connection to the organization’s mission. For more than two decades, The Arc has been part of her life—first as a parent, then as a volunteer and consultant, as a member of the leadership team, and most recently as Senior Vice President, Community and Family Services. This personal and professional journey gives Kim a profound understanding of the impact the work has on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and the broader community.

During her time at The Arc, Kim has demonstrated strong, value-driven leadership. She has played a key role in transforming programs, building and supporting dedicated teams, and strengthening The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod’s presence and partnerships throughout the community. Her ability to lead with compassion, clarity, and accountability has earned the trust and respect of staff, families, and community partners alike.

According to the Board of Directors, “Kim is the right leader to guide The Arc into its next chapter. Her commitment to our mission, combined with her operational experience and collaborative leadership style, will help ensure the continued strength, sustainability, and impact of our organization”.

About The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod: The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries (ABI), and their families/caregivers.  Through a wide range of services including residential programs and employment services, day programs, family resources and advocacy, The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod ensures that people with disabilities have the tools, opportunities, and respect they need to live full, self-directed lives. The mission of The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod is to empower and support people with disabilities and their families to belong, contribute and thrive. For more information about The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod, please visit The Arc of Plymouth and Cape Cod.

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting: A woman-owned business based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and the boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information about Pillar, please visit www.pillarsearch.com.

Opportunities

New Search! The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod’s CEO

No Comments

Please note that we are no longer accepting new candidates for this search.

Pillar Search & HR Consulting is honored to partner with The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod on the search for their new CEO.

ABOUT THE ARC OF PLYMOUTH AND UPPER CAPE COD

The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries (ABI), and their families/caregivers.  Through a wide range of services including residential programs and employment services, day programs, family resources and advocacy, The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod ensures that people with disabilities have the tools, opportunities, and respect they need to live full, self-directed lives.

The mission of The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod is to empower and support people with disabilities and their families to belong, contribute and thrive. By providing services and advocacy support to individuals with disabilities, The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod helps them to succeed. The organization provides services and support to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and upper Cape Cod. The guiding principles which drive The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod’s mission are that people with disabilities are people first, and that they are to be respected, treated with dignity and valued for who they are and what they can accomplish

With deep roots in the region, The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod was established in 1966 by a group of parents that wanted better lives for their children. They have grown into a full-service organization that provides services and support throughout Southeastern Massachusetts.

Today, The Arc is recognized as a leading service innovator, offering services that are individualized, flexible, and self-directed in nature. People supported by The Arc receive highly individualized services such as Agency with Choice, Adult Foster Care, Shared Living and Individualized Home Supports. The agency also provides Information and Referral, Employment Training and Placement Support, Community-Based Day Supports, Autism Services and residential services for people living with an acquired brain injury.

The organization is recognized for its commitment to dignity, inclusion, and innovation in service delivery and care.  The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod’s work transforms lives and sets the standard for disability services statewide.  Backed by a team of dedicated professionals and strong community partnerships, The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod combine person-centered care with advocacy efforts that shape the future of disability rights and inclusion.

The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod by the numbers:

  • Budget of $12 million
  • 200 employees
  • 170 individuals served in 2025
  • Nearly 60 years serving individuals with disabilities

The Arc is a nationwide organization with each state running both a statewide chapter and several local chapters within the state. The 17 local chapters of The Arc of Massachusetts, which The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod is an active member of, work throughout the Commonwealth to provide services and support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Learn more about The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod here.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod seeks a visionary, collaborative, and mission-driven Chief Executive Officer to lead the organization into its next chapter.  Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will oversee a $12M+ budget, close to 200 staff, and a diverse portfolio of program funded primarily through state contracts.

This is a pivotal moment for the Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod. The incoming CEO will inherit a financially stable organization with a strong reputation and an engaged Board, but one operating in a rapidly changing environment for disability services.  Strategic leadership is needed to navigate funding shifts, workforce challenges, and increasing demand for high-quality, community-based supports while elevating the Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod’s voice, impact, and reach.

The role offers an opportunity to influence both local and statewide service delivery, strengthen organizational resilience, and ensure that individuals with disabilities can thrive in inclusive, supportive communities.

The President and CEO leads the overall function and operations of The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod.  They will transfer knowledge and insight into a values-based approach toward service delivery.  The person selected will be responsible for developing and ensuring a sustainable infrastructure and vision that will help the agency move its mission forward. Impact areas include:

Strategic Vision and Change Leadership

Set and communicate a clear, forward-looking vision and strategic plan aligned with the Arc’s Mission, working with senior leadership to develop and implement KPI’s for each team to support a workplace culture that values and promotes accountability and goal achievement, navigating sector-wide shifts, anticipating policy and funding changes. Lead strategic growth initiatives, expanding and strengthening impact of services. Balance tradition with innovation to meet evolving community needs.

Operational Excellence & Service Delivery

Strengthen infrastructure, technology, and processes to enhance efficiency.  Streamline operations to improve service delivery and staff productivity. Assess and pursue growth opportunities, including strategic alliances or mergers.

Workforce Culture

The CEO will lead by example and actions, demonstrating care and concern for the individuals served, families/caregivers, and employees.  They will recruit, retain, and develop a skilled, diverse, and engaged workforce. They will foster a culture of inclusion, respect, and empowerment across all levels of the organization as well as a collaborative organization free of silos by encouraging cross-departmental efforts on programs, services, problem-solving, and open communication. They will build strong relationships with frontline direct care professional staff, listening to and addressing their needs, and champion employee wellness and engagement initiatives to improve morale, promote career advancement, and reduce burnout. They will advance the shared leadership model by strengthening team autonomy, distributed decision-making, and accountability structures while also modeling a “roll up your sleeves” leadership mindset and work with the leadership team to ensure that employees at all levels of the organization have the resources and support needed to successfully do their jobs. In addition, they will embed the use of RACIE (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed, Engaged) practices to clarify roles, improve transparency, and streamline collaboration across departments.

They will develop collaborative relationships with educational institutions and community-based service organizations to broaden access to sources to recruit caring, well-prepared providers.

Financial Resilience & Revenue Diversification

Ensure disciplined financial oversight and long-term fiscal sustainability and strengthen internal financial systems and controls for transparency and efficiency. Maintain stability in government funding while expanding diversified revenue streams. Explore philanthropy, fee-for-service models, and innovative funding partnerships.

Community Engagement & Advocacy

Serve as the public face of The Arc, building strong relationships with stakeholders, expanding visibility through strategic communications and community outreach. Advocate for disability rights and influence public policy at local, state, and national levels and engage funders, partners, families, and self-advocates in advancing the mission of The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod. Ensure effective use of marketing and communications strategies to amplify advocacy efforts and raise awareness of The Arc’s work.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

  • Responsible for the oversight of operations and financial obligations for the Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod, including negotiation of contract(s) for services, acquisition and disposition of assets in accordance with the charter of the Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod and in the full purview of the Board of Directors.
  • Direct activities for state contracts, United Way, Rate Settings, Purchase of Services, The Arc funds, and other funding sources.
  • Ensure ongoing programmatic excellence and delivery of quality service.
  • Lead, develop, recognize and retain The Arc’s high-performance leadership team to support direct care and support function staff.
  • Direct the planning, development and implementation of all necessary agency policies, procedures and administrative systems needed for sound agency management.
  • Direct marketing, public relations, and communication plans that will bolster the agency’s messaging and branding.
  • Ensure adequate audit and oversight mechanisms are in place and followed.
  • Formulate and oversee implementation of a development plan as needed that includes fundraising objectives and strategies to recruit new donors and networks.
  • Design and implement thoughtful strategic planning that will enhance the growth and sustainability of the organization to support the mission.
  • Scan the market to ensure development opportunities are capitalized on that can move the Arc’s Mission forward.
  • Develop and maintain strong partnerships with funding sources, government agencies, policymakers, affiliates including The Arc of Massachusetts, and community organizations to ensure The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod is viewed as a valuable partner for planning and development. Engage with The Arc’s volunteers, board members, partner organizations, direct support staff and the general public regarding the agency’s work and Mission.
  • Demonstrate conduct in keeping with The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod’s Ethical Code of Conduct.
  • Demonstrate professionalism and commitment to teamwork at all times.
  • Attend all mandatory in-services, safety training and annual trainings.
  • Perform all other duties as assigned.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree in non-profit management, business administration, public policy, human services, or a related field required; master’s degree preferred (or equivalent work experience).
  • Minimum of 10 years of senior management with at least 5 years in an executive or CEO role within the non-profit, human services, or disability services sector.
  • Experience in navigating Massachusetts policy and regulatory environments, or significant expertise with complex state and federal funding systems, is highly desirable.
  • Successful track record in strategic planning, fiscal management, Board engagement, and organizational growth.
  • Proven financial acumen. Able to manage multimillion-dollar budgets, government contracts, and diverse funding streams.
  • Experience as a community leader, serving as the public face of an organization, engaging effectively with diverse stakeholders, and cultivating strong partnerships.
  • Track record of securing funding through government, philanthropic, and community sources, and influencing policy or systems change.
  • Experience with organizational change, guiding organizations through transitions, growth, or restructuring while maintaining mission alignment and staff engagement.
  • Demonstrated ability to negotiate state contracts and a working knowledge of Massachusetts DDS regulations and reporting requirements.
  • Able to work in–office with occasional off-site duties as needed. Please note that occasional evenings and weekends will be required for meetings and events.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this opportunity is $185,000-$200,000 annually. The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance options, employer-paid life and disability coverage, voluntary insurance (life, AD&D, and short-term disability insurance), a retirement savings plan, tuition reimbursement, paid time off, and a culture that values and promotes work/life balance.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

TO APPLY

The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod has partnered with Cindy Joyce of Pillar Search & HR Consulting on the CEO search. Please submit your resume and cover letter to jo**@**********ch.com.

No calls, please.

Opportunities

New Search! Minute Man Arc’s CEO

No Comments

Minute Man Arc is seeking its next Chief Executive Officer. This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced nonprofit executive who is a tireless advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This full-time, on-site position is based in Concord, Massachusetts.   

About Minute Man Arc (MMA)

Minute Man Arc is the agency of choice for children and adults with disabilities in the region, providing a community of innovative, lifelong care. Their mission is to improve the lives of children and adults with disabilities by increasing lifelong independence, personal choice, and self-advocacy. They achieve this by delivering exceptional therapeutic services, meaningful employment, supportive living opportunities, recreation, and active community involvement.

Based in Concord, MA, with additional locations in Acton and Maynard and serving individuals in 30 communities, the organization was founded in 1958 by a group of parents in search of services and community for their children with disabilities. Today, they support more than 1,500 children and adults with autism, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other intellectual and physical disabilities, and accept individuals who are blind and/or deaf, providing them with staff members who have some knowledge of American Sign Language. Additionally, they serve people who have physical or emotional disabilities.

With over 67 years of experience, Minute Man Arc is a respected leader in both program development and service delivery. They are accredited or licensed by CARF International (formerly Council of Accredited Rehabilitation Facilities), the Department of Public Health, and the Department of Developmental Services. They collaborate regularly with the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers, the Arc of Massachusetts, and other local human service organizations.

Minute Man Arc has an annual operating budget of $21,421,000, a senior leadership team of 11 professionals, over 260 employees, three day program sites (Early Intervention, Extra Steps, and Adult Programs), and nine group homes. Learn more about this outstanding organization here.

About the Opportunity:

At its core, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will be a human-centered leader, prioritizing the experience of the MMA’s consumers (the individuals they serve) and their needs in every decision, program, and initiative. They will be responsible for the development, implementation and execution of policies and programs intended to improve the lives of consumers, focusing on social inclusion, self-determination, and equity, and will foster an organization that partners with parents and families, understanding their desire to have the best possible care and programs to enrich the lives of their loved ones with a disability, whether that is a young child in the Early Intervention program, employment supports for those consumers engaging in jobs and community work, a valued member of a residential home, and everything in between.

A goal will be the continued growth of the agency to ensure that Minute Man Arc is continuously striving to meet the evolving needs of consumers and partnering with other Arc chapters in Massachusetts and beyond to advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will provide leadership, strategy, and oversight to Minute Man Arc, focusing on the consumers and complying with applicable state, federal, and local laws and regulations, as well as best-in-class business and administration practices.

Essential Functions

People and Culture  

  • Clearly articulate the organization’s mission, values, and expectations so that culture supports the strategic goals while driving employee engagement, job satisfaction, retention, and overall performance and productivity.
  • Work with Human Resources to build a supportive and inclusive culture for employees and ensure a best-in-class hiring, onboarding, and employee engagement program, and build a feedback culture through regular performance reviews, manager/employee check-ins, and two-way feedback mechanisms.
  • Foster a collaborative organization free of siloes by encouraging cross-departmental efforts on programs, services, problem-solving, and open communication.
  • Engage individuals at all levels, modeling an open-door policy and seeking out ideas and input from employees and self-directed consumers to ensure that everyone has a voice. Regularly seek feedback on cultural alignment.
  • Ensure a culture of ongoing learning and improvement, ensuring that existing employees have the training and development opportunities needed for continuous improvement and professional growth.
  • Do all of the above with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as central to the values and culture of Minute Man Arc.

Management & Leadership

  • Manage the senior leadership team, which is currently 11 professionals leading the core programs and functions within the organization.
  • Model exemplary leadership and management that reflects and reinforces the mission and core values of the agency.
  • Work with leaders to ensure that all staff have the support/resources needed to succeed.

Best-in-Class Business Operations

  • Ensure that all business practices align with the agency’s mission and strategic plan.
  • Work with the CFO, Board Finance Committee, and senior leadership to ensure effective fiscal controls and financial monitoring; build relationships with potential funders and business partners to advance the collective work.
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements and laws.
  • Facilitate the ongoing development, review and monitoring of current policies, practices and procedures utilized in the delivery of services and business operations. Identify ways to optimize technology in these efforts.

Development/Financial Support

  • Steward a pool of donors with a focus on sharing success stories, outcomes, and progress of the organization, as well as the impact of their financial support.
  • Ensure the creation of a comprehensive fundraising strategy, cultivating relationships with current and potential donors to ensure ongoing support for the organization.
  • Participate in donor visits and events with the Director of Development, other members of the leadership team, and members of the Board of Directors.

Board of Directors

  • In partnership with the Board, oversee development and implementation of a strategic plan that advances the organization’s mission. Spearhead continued enhancement, development, communication, and execution of Minute Man Arc’s organizational strategies, ensuring the direction set by the Board is being followed and aligned with mission-driven outcomes.
  • Provide ongoing updates and reports to the Board of Directors on all critical factors influencing the broad activities and outcomes of the agency.

Strategic Planning & Continued Growth

  • Spearhead the development, communication, and implementation of growth strategies, including near- and long-term goals and priorities at the organizational and department levels, reviewing regularly to measure progress and evaluate outcomes.
  • Analyze and assess, regularly, programs and services to ensure mission alignment and that they continue to meet consumer needs and interests.

Building Community and Meaningful Partnerships

  • Enhance the visibility and presence of Minute Man Arc. Build positive relationships with local and state officials, community partners, stakeholders, and other nonprofit organizations and service providers. This will help raise awareness of Minute Man Arc, its programs and services, and foster understanding and inclusion of consumers in the community and with employer organizations.
  • Engage with parents to listen thoughtfully and respond to their hopes and concerns and encourage and foster parent participation in Minute Man Arc as volunteers in key areas.

Face of the Organization

  • Internally, a visible leader who actively participates in activities and programs.
  • Represent Minute Man Arc in all public relations/media opportunities.
  • Participate in community and professional membership organizations, including The Arc of Massachusetts and other related organizations.

Qualifications

  • Experience and a successful track record of managing and leading a nonprofit organization, including a broad area of responsibility, with a focus on human services, and demonstrates a passion for the work and the people the organization serves.
  • Experience (professional or lived) working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, or an organization with a similar focus on services and advocacy for underserved individuals and communities.
  • Master’s degree or equivalent work experience.
  • Experience reporting to or participating in a Board of Directors preferred.
  • Proven track record of building and retaining high-performing teams and promoting a strong, positive work culture centered on diversity, equity, and inclusion, where employees have a voice and feel valued for their work contributions and efforts.
  • Demonstrated success in securing financial support for nonprofit organizations from a variety of sources to ensure diversification of funding.
  • High emotional intelligence and a natural relationship builder.
  • Understanding of applicable state/federal regulations and contracting/compliance processes and procedures.
  • A growth mindset and strategic, big-picture thinker who can operationalize and implement ideas and is skilled at change management.
  • Understanding of technologies available to facilitate communication and business operations.
  • Local travel required, and the CEO must be available evenings/weekends as needed.

Valuing Diversity

At Minute Man Arc, the dedicated staff includes more than 260 employees who improve the lives of people with disabilities. It offers a work environment that values and respects diversity. Living up to their core values, it empowers the people it proudly supports and makes a real impact in the world.

Minute Man Arc is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $200,000-$225,000.

Minute Man Arc’s Current Benefits

Paid vacation time + 13 paid holidays each year + 3 paid personal days | sick time in accordance with MA state law | health insurance with fully paid health care deductible | prescription drugs with no copays | dental & vision insurance | life, short-term, & long-term disability insurance | employer-sponsored tuition reimbursement

To Be Considered:

The Minute Man Arc Board of Directors has partnered with Cindy Joyce, Founder of Pillar Search & HR Consulting on the search for the new CEO. Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their resume and letter of interest to jo**@**********ch.com.

Opportunities

Search Success! Katherine Davis Wheeler Joins Boston Preservation Alliance as Executive Director

No Comments

Boston Preservation Alliance and Pillar Search & HR Consulting are pleased to announce the appointment of Katherine Davis Wheeler to the position of Executive Director. Katherine Davis Wheeler (she/they) is a nonprofit leader, public historian, and historic preservation professional with over 18 years of experience working at the intersection of organizational strategy, community engagement, and cultural stewardship.

Her work centers on preservation and adaptive reuse, with a particular focus on the history and evolution of the preservation movement in the United States. Drawing on both academic and technical experience, she approaches preservation as a people-centered, equity-driven field—one that connects policy and advocacy with storytelling, community engagement, and neighborhood-based action.

Katherine joined the Boston Preservation Alliance as Executive Director on August 4, 2025. In this role, she champions the organization’s mission, leads staff and programs, and stewards its fiscal health. Collaborating with the Board of Directors and its committees, she manages day-to-day operations and serves as the Alliance’s principal spokesperson. Highly visible in the community, Katherine builds relationships across sectors to advance the Alliance’s advocacy and education work.

Over the course of her career, Katherine has supported arts, history, and culture-focused organizations through periods of growth and transformation. She has held executive leadership roles and consulted with museums, historic sites, and nonprofits. Her work spans executive coaching, strategic planning, interim management, operational alignment, fundraising strategy, and advising organizations on DEIA practices grounded in accountability and structural change.

She holds an undergraduate degree in art history, a master’s in architecture and design with a focus on historic preservation and adaptive reuse, and a graduate certificate in public history and museum studies from the University of Massachusetts. Katherine has served in volunteer and advisory roles with numerous civic and preservation-focused organizations, including the Amherst Historical Commission, Amherst Design Review Board, Downtown Waltham Partnership, Preservation Massachusetts, and the Northampton Arts Council.

About Boston Preservation Alliance: The Boston Preservation Alliance (The Alliance) is an independent, nonprofit organization that exists to advocate for and empower Bostonians to play an active role in preserving the places and stories that are important to Boston’s history. They envision Boston as a place where the stories of its diverse residents and cultures are reflected in its evolving built environment. Through advocacy and education, they guide thoughtful change that simultaneously stewards the historic character that defines the city.  Learn more at www.bostonpreservation.org.

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting: A woman-owned business based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and the boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information about Pillar, please visit www.pillarsearch.com.

Opportunities

Pillar Search & HR Consulting Turns 10 Today!

No Comments

Today, Pillar Search & HR Consulting celebrates 10 years in business, and oh, what a journey it has been! On one hand, it feels like the decade went by in the blink of an eye. On the other hand, it’s been a hard-earned milestone, with so many lessons learned along the way.

I am eternally grateful to Pillar’s nonprofit clients across the country who have entrusted Pillar Search & HR Consulting with their leadership hiring and HR needs, to the wildly talented professionals placed in exciting  roles who have advanced inspiring nonprofits, and to the friends, family, former colleagues, and more who have supported Pillar Search & HR Consulting along the way with referrals, words of encouragement, and sage advice. It truly takes a village.

While today is a time for me to personally reflect on the past ten years, I am also excited and energized for what the next ten years will bring. They say that if you do what you love, you will never work a day, and today – and every day – I know what a gift that truly is.

Thank you for following along on this journey. Onward!

Cheers,

Cindy Joyce, Founder, Pillar Search & HR Consulting

best executive search nonprofit, best nonprofit recruiter, best nonprofit search firm, Opportunities

Landing a Job With Your Professional “Crush”

No Comments

We’ve all seen them: The job posting that grabs your attention and you cannot get it out of your mind because it is your dream job. Be it working for a cause you adore, as part of a celebrity nonprofit whose founder you admire, on a fantastic product team, or with an artist who you are a huge fan of, the dream job does not have to be merely a dream. Before zipping off your resume, take a deep breath and follow some of these tips to ensure that you showcase your killer talents and skills in the best light. Drumroll, please:

 

  • Look at the job description very closely. If it is truly a match, pass go, collect $200, and apply immediately! If not, think before you apply. I have done searches for a celebrity-related organizations, rock star status money managers, and arts organizations that receive literally hundreds of unsolicited resumes each week because people are so excited to work there, but for the most part they are not a match in terms of experience fit.  Sending a resume to a job that you are not qualified for will not get the results you want. Wait for a job that fits your skills, as the competition for these “sexy” positions will be fierce.
  • Research the role and the company or organization. Go beyond their website. Who do they partner with? Are they on social media? Do they do a signature event? Check out similar organizations as well. If it is a non-profit, look at Guidestar. If it is a for-profit, check out their annual report. See what press is available about them so that when you craft the cover letter, and hopefully when you have an interview, you can demonstrate that you walk the walk and talk the talk.
  • Write a thoughtful cover letter that highlights your skills and what makes you the ideal candidate. In the cover letter, do not tell the designer that you love her shoes. Do not tell the movie star that you loved their latest movie. They have fans. They need an Executive Director, PR pro, Personal Assistant, or whatever role they have open. Their focus will be on the person who is best equipped to fill that need, not on the one who is most star-struck.
  • If it is a mission-based organization (i.e., nonprofit or foundation), you can and should share if you are a believer in their cause and how their mission resonates with you, but be sure to temper it. Human Resources and Executive Recruiting firms will see right through if it is not sincere. I know someone who worked in the marketing area of a Major League Baseball team’s charitable foundation and she applied despite the fact that she despised baseball. She shared with me that she adored their mission and the work they did with children’s health and education and said she was willing to “put up” with the baseball to get the job working on a cause she loved. That kind of passion shines through.
  • Do not use social media to announce that you are interviewing with a company or organization. It happened during a search and let’s just say that it was not viewed kindly. Organizations with celebrity and/or brand name affiliation will expect discretion.
  • Most importantly, be yourself. Yes, this may be a dream job, and you are probably chomping at the bit to get it, but be real. Be you. I have seen finalists in incredibly competitive searches who meet with the top person or board hiring committee and do incredibly well by relaxing, letting their guard down, and showing their true and talented self.

 

Best of luck in your job search!

 

Cindy Joyce, Founder, Pillar Search