Tripping On The Ladder

 By Survivor Gal
 (c) November 30, 2009

Here’s some unconventional advice to help you prepare for the storm. Because it’s coming.

Watch the various “Real Housewives” shows on Bravo. They’re vapid, but a secret pleasure for enough viewers to not only keep them on the air, but expand the franchise. But, turns out, the purported prosperity of the housewives was about as real as their, well, cleavage. Out goes The Good Life of boats, bling, and BMWs. In comes the Really Real Story: foreclosure, eviction and short sales.  

They are the It Girls for Schadenfreude, circa 2009. We’re watching them fall and getting what we’ve long suspected is their spending-beyond-one’s-means due.

But you may have more in common with the phony fill-in-the-blank set than you’d like. The average U.S. household credit card debt is $10,700; typical consumers have eight credit cards apiece. And, if you’re part of Generation X, generally defined as born between 1965 and 1976, you – deservedly or not – are part of what’s called Generation Debt, collectively unwilling or unable to deny your wants and plummeting into the red.

Change course now.  The odds are not in your favor.   

Whatever your generation – Boomer, Gen X, Millennial – job loss will hit you. You’ll get laid off, whether you saw it coming or it blindsided you. You’ll accept a job that sounded great until it was yours. Your spouse will get canned. Or, on a particularly sad note, your parents – providers of the occasional check – will be able to offer you nothing but love after layoffs hit them.

Welcome to the inevitable new reality. And, yes, it does bite.

But you have some control over how hard it bites.

Survivor Gal has been laid off three times over two decades, most recently a year ago. In 2003, she became a homeowner and mortgagee. That made it harder for her sleep after Layoff No. 3 and grateful to have landed a new job within five months. Lots of decent folks aren’t as lucky.  

She can also report this about post- No. 3 life: Her car, though it has the sex appeal of a grandma-mobile, was paid for four years earlier; it’s still great under the hood. Her TV, a hand-me-down from her brother, is the size of a fetal Volkswagen but it works. She’d followed the pundits’ recommendations to save enough for six months’ worth of expenses.

The day No. 3 hit, her debt on her two credit cards: zero dollars, zero cents.   

Considering average debt, it’s sadly unsurprising that that the seeds of many a personal financial disaster were sewn by the huge credit card balances that preceded job loss.

Stop. Here’s what you need to do.  Stop thinking of your credit cards as the ticket for what you didn’t save for and cannot really pay for, be it the latest in consumer electronics or the bachelorette weekend in Vegas. Think of them as Tony Soprano.  

They’re not your friends. Granted, credit card companies won’t come after your kneecaps. And what Tony calls “da points,” they call “interest.” But the differences end there. What Tony calls “your debt,” they call “your debt.”

Listen, Survivor Gal is not Sweet Polly Purebred; over the years, she made a couple wrong turns. She wishes, for instance, she’d known the right way to close an unused credit card account, rather than having the company discontinue a zero-balance customer.  

Nor is she pitiless. She’s a Boomer, though vanity prompts her to disclose she’s from the generation’s tail end. Credit card companies deluged Gen Xers’ and Millennials’ undergrad mailboxes with fabulous offers; they never did that to the Boomers.   

So here’s where to start.  

Go to http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/money101/lesson9/index2.htm, an easy, practical primer on personal finance, and the difference between good debt and bad (credit cards).  

The always-helpful Motley Fool site has this article (despite the title that Survivor Gal loathes) on the right way to close credit cards. Visit  http://www.fool.com/personal-finance/credit/dont-cancel-that-credit-card.aspx

Using Tony for necessities like groceries or housing? Or just need solid info? The Federal Trade Commission steers you in the right direction:   http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/credit/debt.shtm

Your new friends at Tripping on the Ladder want you to be ready for what’s real. Tony-free. Real people, not Real Housewives.

 By Dan d’Man
 (c) November 27, 2009

 
It’s an unfortunate reality that most of us will have at least one person on our holiday shopping list who is a recent addition to the ranks of the unemployed.

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for someone in a job transition, here’s a list you’re going to want to check twice:  

 1o. The gift of luxury

Life’s little luxuries are the first things that most people eliminate when faced with the loss of income. If your friend is someone who craves her morning cup of java, a gift certificate to her favorite coffee shop will surely be appreciated. Coffee shops are also a great place for some impromptu networking.

9. The gift of health

In “Bummed Out or Burned Out? How You Can Identify When the Normal Sorrow of Job Loss Becomes Something More Serious,” Charlie Cummins, president of Life Transitions Consulting, communicated the importance of remaining active and fighting lethargy when dealing with a job loss. A membership to a health club or training class shows you care about your friend’s health and well-being.

8. The gift of family

If your recipient has children, the most welcome gift they can receive is the ability to give to their kids. A gift certificate to a movie theater, bowling alley, children’s museum or toy store will raise the spirits of their entire family.

7. The gift of inspiration

Does your gift recipient have bigger goals and dreams he was reticent to pursue before he lost his job? A book like “What am I gonna do with my life,” by Po Bronson might be just the inspiration he needs. A less conventional but much more fun source of inspiration could also be “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,” by Dr. Seuss. Add a personal note inside the front cover that conveys your belief in him and he will succeed … it’s 98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.

6. The gift of relaxation

Help your friend reset her stress level with a spa gift certificate for a massage.

5. The gift of information

Do you know someone who works in your friend’s profession — or a profession he’s always been curious about? Setting up an informational interview can help him learn valuable insights, make contacts and keep his interview skills sharp.

4. The gift of expertise

Just because your friend is a great engineer, it doesn’t mean she can write an effective resume. Covering the cost of a professional resume service could be the most important gift she receives. The Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARW) is a good place to search for services near you. The PARW also offers information about professional career coaches and certified employment interview professionals — people who could make the difference between getting the job and almost getting the job.

3. The gift of laughter

Wrapping up a voodoo doll customized with a former boss’ face or a corporate logo (www.vudutuu.com) won’t help him find a new job … but it’ll probably bring a smile to his face.

2. The gift of membership

Paying your friend’s membership fee for a professional industry association will open the door to valuable continuing education opportunities and networking events.

1. The gift of yourself

Offer to proofread their cover letters and resumes. Babysit so she and her husband can get away for a night. Run errands so that he can attend a job interview or networking opportunity. It’s a free gift that’s difficult to put a price on.

 By Diva Nikki
 (c) November 25, 2009

For most of us, getting through the holidays in a normal year is bad enough. The song “The Twelve Pains of Christmas,” by the Bob Rivers Comedy Corp, about sums it up for me.

Sending Christmas cards to extended family on my husband’s side I barely know.  Driving to and from—and spending hours in—rehearsals and concerts. Standing in huge lines at unforgivable hours of the morning just to get a few more dollars off the already inflated price of a Christmas gift your mother-in-law probably will return anyway.

So…now that you’ve got a spouse at home worried about finding a new job, you’re on a reduced budget and there’s more stress to go around than flour on holiday cookie baking day—how will you survive?

Here are a few tips for getting through the holidays while you’ve got a spouse in career transition:

Breathe.
I know the holiday season means three times as many filled days on the calendar looming at you from your refrigerator door. But now might be a time to reassess some of those commitments. Is there anything you can cut back on for awhile?

Prioritize.
Do you really need to make 70 Christmas cards by hand and handwrite messages in all of them? What if you send e-greetings to most people this year, and just saved the special cards for those most important to you? Evaluate which holiday traditions are most important to you and which ones can be changed or put on hold.

Budget.
Have a discussion with your spouse and family members about what you can realistically can spend—and can’t—on holiday gifts this year. Agree on a spending limit in advance, so there are no disappointments or embarrassments later.

Help others.
Even with your own transition issues, there are always those who need more help than you. Talk with your whole family about “adopting” a family or cause this year. Ask that everyone contribute what they would’ve spent on gifts to this effort instead.

Get creative.
Gifts don’t have to be expensive. In fact, handmade gifts are often more appreciated than something bought from a department store. A few ideas for creative, low-cost gifts for family members:

• Create a recipe book with all the recipient’s favorite ingredients. Search recipes online, copy them and paste them nicely into a document. Print out and place in a hand-decorated binder.
• Make jars of specialty hot chocolate, chai tea or soup mixes. Decorate the covers and include instructions for making the final product.
• Use crafting talents and supplies you already have on hand: knit/crochet scarves, stamp sets of cards, make mini-scrapbooks or create jewelry. Not only will your personalized gifts be appreciated, it will give you a fun, stress-relieving project you enjoy.

Realize this temporary.
No one wants to “skimp” on this special time of year. But remember that a few changes for this year won’t be devastating in the long run. And, who knows, your family may even love some of these ideas enough to start new traditions.

 Additional Resources:

• “Gifts from the Kitchen: Recipes for Jar Mixes, Food Gifts and More,” The Recipe Link
• “Holiday Gifts: 8 Homemade Gifts in a Jar,” SquawkFox, December 8, 2008.
• Amy Scattergood, “50 ways to make your holiday gifts homemade,” LA Times, December 10, 2008.
• Lori Johnston, “7 splendid homemade holiday gifts“

Recent Desperate Workingwife columns:

• “Desperate Workingwife: It Ain’t the Opera but I’m Wearing My Best Dress Anyway. Ways to Stay Romantic Without Spending the Fortune Your Unemployed Spouse Isn’t Earning Right Now”
• “Desperate Workingwife: Guilty Confessions of a Green-Eyed Monster”
• “Desperate Workingwife: You Got Up at WHAT Time? Helping Your Unemployed Spouse Find a New Routine…That Doesn’t Drive You Up a Wall”

By Sharon Korbeck Verbeten
(c) November 24, 2009

Yule know there’s a different feel to Christmas this year—the recession-tinged feeling is already in the air and in the store aisles.

While halls and malls are still decked out for the holiday season, the joy of shopping has been overshadowed—for many—by decreased wages, lost jobs or the threat of lessened job security.

Black Friday, indeed. These days that term might refer to the dread some feel about getting a pink slip on the last day of the work week. Still, there are those looking forward to the traditional “Black Friday,” when shoppers, like myself (I’m fueled by seasonal spirit, pumpkin muffins and Mountain Dew!) spring from our beds at 4 a.m. or earlier, eager to get the best deals.

According to the finding of one national survey, retailers are about to embark on the season of the serious bargain hunter. A survey by the National Retail Federation (NRF) found that U.S. consumers plan to spend an average of $682.74 on holiday-related shopping, a 3.2% drop from last year’s $705.01. And two-thirds of Americans indicated the economy will affect their holiday shopping plans this year.

So, what’s a savvy shopper to do? Here are a few well-considered tips.

Stacy Schuster, a sales associate with the GAP stores in Milwaukee, offered her best tip, based on personal experience. “Get a part-time job in retail at a store where you would normally shop,” she said. As an employee, the mother of two saves 50% on all her purchases—great for both personal and gift purchases.

Also a seasoned eBay shopper, Schuster recommends scouring the online auction site for items on wish lists. Bidding competitively—and early—can save a lot off retail prices.

Jennifer Hogeland, a mother of two from De Pere, Wis., also has turned to online shopping this year for most of her purchases, mainly because so many sites are offering free shipping. Shopping online also has a residual benefit, she said. “It avoids the whimsical and unnecessary purchases I’m sure to make if I’m in the store.”

The NRF survey also found that one in 10 holiday shoppers plan to shop thrift or retail shops for gifts this year. That may not only be smart and pocket savvy, but “green” as well.

“Why not recycle and repurpose items you don’t want?” said Pat DuChene, a single mother from Wisconsin. “Our family is doing a grab bag with a ‘trash into treasure’ theme.” Who knew re-gifting—once so uncouth—would now be considered so in vogue?

Now, where did I put that silly—I mean stylish—scarf I got last year…?

By Jennifer Cohen
(c) November 23, 2009

Most likely you heard the old “we are going to have to let you go,” which is translated into “you’re fired.” Your heart probably pounded, your palms got sweaty, you felt a flush of heat through your body and you didn’t know how to respond.

You either chose to protest out of anger and explained why they are making a mistake with this decision (obviously you are awesome and don’t deserve termination), or you started asking questions to gain a better understanding as to why this unfortunate decision came about (clearly there is a misunderstanding). Either way, it is a gut reaction to emotion, but it is a decision rarely reversed and often shouldn’t be.

You are upset, confused, hurt, angry, scared or any combination of those emotions. You should be because being fired isn’t easy. Being fired is a true test of your versatility, resilience, attitude and sense of humor.

As a product of this situation (four times), I can tell you what I learned and give you some insight into your next steps and hopefully, this will make things a little easier.

Grieve and then accept.
Of course you must allow yourself some time to be upset and question your self-worth (it happens to everyone). You will second-guess every decision you ever made and wonder if you are following a path made for someone else. Allow SOME time for this, but not too much. Once you get to the point where you feel sorry for yourself in every way possible, you have to pick up the pieces and quit feeling sorry. Make a conscious decision to make a change and get moving!

Embrace the time.
Take a few days “off.” Seriously, enjoy the quasi-vacation and do something you always claimed you didn’t have time to do. This could mean a day trip to a park, a run on a trail or taking your family on a picnic. Also, take the time between jobs to reflect on what you truly want out of life. Decide your aspirations and what fulfills you. This might be your opportunity to choose a new path and profession. Prioritize based on your necessities and lifestyle. If you have a family to support and/or purchases needing financial attention, take those into consideration when deciding you want to be a Rockstar—that might not be the best choice, although a life-long dream you always wanted to come true.

Decide and devise.
Decide what you are going to do and devise a plan to get you there. Pick the long-term goal and keep an eye on the prize and then seek feedback. Sometimes when we see the wealth of opportunity, we lose sight on reality and feasibility. Consult a loved one for feedback on your plan to be sure you are shooting for the stars and not a completely different galaxy.

Execute. Do it.
Seriously, take your plan and start making decisions and taking actions. A well-designed plan won’t get you anywhere if you don’t take it seriously and make moves in the right direction. Don’t be all talk and no action.

Don’t lose hope.
There is no doubt you will get discouraged. The momentum you feel from networking and sending resumes will start to wear, but be positive. You can’t give up because the minute you do, you lose. The only thing you have is your internal inspiration and ability to kick yourself in the butt so keep kicking!

Remember that you were fired because the opportunity was no longer the right opportunity.

Onward and upward!

“Fired…Four Times” is a monthly column written by 20-something Jennifer Cohen, chronicling her experiences being fired, four times, and ultimately reinventing herself in a new and successful career as a marketing and social media consultant. Her next column will appear in December.

 By Diva Nikki
 (c) November 18, 2009

When a dual-income household suddenly becomes a single-income one, the first instinct most people have is to cut their entertainment budget.

And to a degree, that’s a good idea. Your home won’t be foreclosed on, nor will your life insurance policy lapse, if you’re not paying your Wine of the Month Club bill.

But, when you’ve got a spouse in career transition, now is not the time to completely abandon all things romantic just because your budget belt has been tightened. In fact, in my experience, this is the time to ramp it up a bit.

Your unemployed spouse is likely feeling about as low on the self-esteem scale as it gets. As if the rejection of losing a job wasn’t enough, he’s getting rejection letters on a weekly basis from jobs newly applied for. You, in turn, are feeling more pressure than usual because your household is now dependent on your salary, your insurance…and your ability to keep yourself together enough to hold onto your own job in these tough economic times.

It would be easy to focus only on the “have-to’s” of budgeting and job searching, to individually tackle job and job-searching and focus only on what you each have to do to make things work. But that leaves a huge opportunity for your marriage to slowly drift apart.

Instead, in my experience, this is the time to focus on making your marriage better. If you try, you can actually become better partners and closer confidantes and increase the love and support between you now. And it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg (or this week’s unemployment check). Here are some ideas:

•  Have a board game tournament. At stakes: household chores.
• Eat your regular dinner together—by candlelight. Hamburger Helper® has never been more romantic.
• Push the furniture back in the living room, wear your nicest clothes and dance together.
• Go back to the basics. Rent old black-and-white classic Hollywood movies from the library or your local video store. Snuggle up close and share your bowl of popcorn.
• Start your own private book club. Take turns reading the same book, then schedule a coffee date to discuss it with each other.
• Go for long walks together. Explore parts of the neighborhood or new parks you’ve never visited. Reminisce about the funny stories from when you were first dating.
• Share your interests. Teach each other about your hobbies. If you’re a knitter like me, show him how the process works and describe why you love picking out new yarns. If he loves video games, let him teach you how to blow up the enemy aliens about to take over the world. You never know…you just might enjoy it!

 The real key: just be together, listen to one another and offer lots of extra support. You may find that one of the most challenging times in your marriage becomes a real time of strength.

 Additional Resources:

• Nicole Dean, “Romance on a Budget – Love is Patient, Kind and Cheap!” Show Mom the Money, October 14, 2008.
• “Show her the love, not the money,” Frugal Village, January 26, 2008.
• Rhonda Langefeld, “Romance and Fun on a Tight Budget,” Suite101.com, October 11, 2006.

 By Jim Taylor
 (c) November 12, 2009 

Are you at a crossroads in your life or career? These great films can provide insight, inspiration, laughter and even a few load warnings. Happy viewing!

The Transformers – Movies about making huge life changes.

Heaven Can Wait (1977)
Warren Beatty plays a 2^nd string NFL quarterback who is killed before his time due to a heavenly mix-up.  His spirit is sent back to earth in the body of a billionaire businessman. Beatty then spends the rest of the movie trying to get his old job back.  

Things Change (1988)
Don Ameche plays a poor, simple man who shines shoes for a living. Mistaken for a rich, powerful mob boss during a wild weekend in Lake Tahoe, he gets to live a privileged and perilous double life in his new “job.” 

Back to School (1984)
Thornton Melon is a vulgar but lovable millionaire businessman played by Rodney Dangerfield. To encourage his son to stick with his education, Melon enrolls in college, where he becomes the big man on campus. Not exactly Noel Coward, but a funny and charming romp nonetheless. 

Gates of Heaven (1978)
Not really about career transition, but most definitely about major life transition, this quirky documentary chronicles the closing of a pet cemetery and the transfer of its deceased residents to a new “final” resting place. Metaphysical musings and poignant silliness ensue. Not for everyone’s taste, although Roger Ebert includes it on his “Top 10 Movies of All Time” list. Not to be confused with legendary bomb Heaven’s Gate. 

The Escape Artists – Movies about trying to run away from it all.

Lost in America (1985)
Sometimes what you run to is worse than what you’ve run from. Quintessential ‘80s yuppies liquidate their assets, buy a Winnebago and hit the open road, expecting to live their out their lives as wandering free spirits. When they make a stop in Vegas, things go horribly astray. Writer/director/actor Albert Brooks at his best.   

Sullivan’s Travels (1941)
A rich, successful Hollywood director who makes lightweight entertainment wants to make a social statement with his new film, O Brother Where Art Thou? [Yes, the title inspired the Coen Brothers 60 years later.] To do research, he disguises himself as a hobo, and starts hopping freight trains to learn about the plight of the downtrodden. Way ahead of its time, the film is a brilliant social satire and a great send-up of Hollywood itself.  

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
Running away for a day can be a lot of work. Ferris Bueller fakes an illness, plays hookey, borrows a Ferrari and drags his friends on an action-packed “day off.” A cultural touchstone for 30- and 40-somethings, it might still inspire you to play hookey and seize the day.  

The Cautionary Tales – Stories of career moves you don’t want to make.

The Godfather (1972)
He ends up rich and powerful by the end, but at what cost? Michael Corleone’s transformation from honest, earnest World War II soldier to ruthless mob boss is one of the great tragic falls in cinema history.  Don’t let this happen to you.  

Sweet Smell of Success (1957)
Don’t sell your soul to get ahead. Tony Curtis (in his first film role) plays an ambitious press agent trying to claw his way to the top. He cuts a Faustian bargain with a powerful and egomaniacal newspaper columnist played by Burt Lancaster, then discovers that success doesn’t quite smell the way he’d hoped.    

Terror’s Advocate (2007)
A chilling documentary about Jacques Vergès, a French lawyer who’s built a “successful” career defending Nazi war criminals, Khmer Rouge leaders, and terrorists around the globe. Not a recommended career path. 

The Appreciators – Even if you’re not exactly where you want to be, these movies can help you appreciate where you are right now. 

The Bicycle Thief (1949)
From the “things could be worse” category: Times are desperate in post-World War II Italy. A man who’s been unemployed for two years is thrilled to find work. But things go very wrong when the thing he needs to do the job—his bicycle—is stolen. 

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
An ambitious but struggling self-help guru has to set aside his career aspirations to hold his family together and help his daughter fulfill her quixotic dream. This poignant and hilarious road movie features a great ensemble cast and a climax for the ages.  

Wings of Desire (1988)
An angel who observes the human race from his perch above West Berlin (before the wall fell) longs to feel and experience life as people do. He decides to make the ultimate career move, from celestial being to mere mortal. Played by brilliant German actor Bruno Ganz, the angel’s joyous discovery of the mundane details of every day living is a true revelation. Remade in Hollywood as City of Angels (1998), but don’t miss the original masterpiece; it just might help you see your life anew.

 By Diva Nikki
 (c) November 11, 2009

I really actually do have green eyes. But I have to admit something I’m not proud of: they’re even greener these days…with jealousy.

I confess. I’m jealous of my unemployed spouse. There are days when I’m downright, absolutely, positively envious.

If you’re currently unemployed and reading this, you probably think I must be off my rocker. But think of it this way:

My husband gets to be at home, on our comfy couch, with our cats in a quiet environment all day. There are no ergonomic office chairs, annoying phone calls, looming deadlines or demanding co-workers anywhere in sight.

There is no morning—or evening—commute that he has to deal with. No annoying drivers, no bad weather worries, no filling the car with gas every few days.

He doesn’t have to set an alarm; he can just get up when it’s light outside. And when he does get up, the coffee is already brewed and waiting. (Because, of course, there’s no way I’ve already gone off to work without coffee. I mean…please!)

He has hours every day he could use to do whatever he’d like. (If it were me, by the way, I’d be knitting socks. I’d totally have enough woolen gifts ready for family and friends to be set through the next three years’ of Christmases and birthdays.)

He totally has time to start an exercise program if he wants to. My biggest excuse for not exercising has always been lack of time. With all that time at home, I just know that the Wii Fit^TM I got for Christmas two years ago would be paying off by now if it were me. (Or at least that’s how it works in my head.)

He can wear comfortable clothes every day. There are no constrictive zippers or buttons in his wardrobe at all right now. If his clothes don’t match, there are no fashion police hovering to let him know. Heck, most days he’s lucky to put on socks, let alone shoes.

Now…on the flip side, I do realize that these things I’m envious about come at a high cost.  For example:

I understand that those hours on the couch are spent worrying about next steps and being frustrated at yet another failed job search or another rejection e-mail.  And that his “looming deadline” is the date unemployment insurance runs out.

I get that while there’s plenty of time at home each day, that doesn’t mean it gets to be used for “fun” stuff. And that just that there is time for exercise still doesn’t mean he magically has the desire to do it.

And I know that my husband would gladly swap his sweatshirt for a button-down if it meant being gainfully employed again.

I get it.

But that doesn’t mean I don’t sometimes still wish we could switch places…just for a little while. That’s why it’s called a “guilty” confession! 

 By Tripping on the Ladder
 (c) November 10, 2009

This year’s holiday season might very well offer a twist on the old Andy Williams Christmas classic: “I’ll be home for Christmas. You can count on me. There’ll be snow, and mistletoe…and relatives who won’t leave me alone and will quiz me nonstop about my employment status and drive me up a tree…”

For many folks facing unemployment or career transition right now, the prospect of a “Merry” Christmas is more like a “Wary” Christmas. In this latest edition of “Ask the Experts,” Professional Coach Julie Paleen of Blue Star Group helps one reader in job transition prepare for what to say to well-intentioned relatives this holiday season.

To read this and other recent Ask the Experts columns, click here.

 Featuring Julie Paleen
 Professional Coach and HR Consultant, Blue Star Group

Do you have a question you’d like to “Ask the Experts”? Submit your question to editor@trippingontheladder.

 By Diva Nikki
 (c) November 9, 2009

You’ve gotten a degree. Earned certifications. And yet, your skills and knowledge are not being fully used or developed in your current job.

If you’re looking for a way to feel 100% valuable, to put great education to use, to continue your personal and professional development on an exponential basis—and to serve a cause you’re passionate about—a nonprofit board is the place to do it. How?

Nonprofits have limited operating budgets. They do a LOT with a little. They depend on board members to bring critical expertise to the table. You will essentially be a big frog in a small pond, and what you do to help the board will be noticed—and appreciated.

Nonprofit boards address the same issues as corporate boards: financial issues, governance issues, marketing and recruitment. You’ll get practical, hands-on experience at what it takes to run a business well. 

Nonprofit boards offer a chance to enhance skills you don’t get on the job. If you’re a marketer, this is your opportunity to learn how to read a financial statement. If you’re a finance person, you’ll quickly be cross-trained in recruiting tactics and marketing plans.

Corporate boards manage their business well to increase profits for shareholders; nonprofit boards manage their business well to increase the benefits for the people they serve.  How you help run that business makes a difference for people in need.

Serving on a nonprofit board often carries an amount of “clout” within the community. You’ll serve with company presidents, high-profile society members, possibly even local politicians. It’s an incredible opportunity to network with the “movers and shakers” in your community.

How to Find and Choose a Nonprofit Board

Talk to your company’s community relations staff or your local Chamber of Commerce or Rotary Club. Even if you don’t have a specific cause in mind, they may know which nonprofits are most in need of board members now. Let them know the type of experience you’re looking for, so they can find you the best match for opportunity.

If you have a cause you’re already passionate about, do an online search for local organizations and contact them directly.

Test the waters. Try volunteering first on a smaller basis with organizations you may be interested in. Then, when you’re ready for a larger commitment, ask about board membership.

Talk with your manager about including nonprofit board membership as part of your professional development plan. Inquire about your company’s policy about taking time off for board meetings if they occur during the business day. Remind your manager that by serving on a nonprofit board in your community, you’re also serving as an ambassador of your company and generating great visibility for the company.

Be prepared to roll your sleeves up and get your hands dirty. Try new things. Volunteer for projects outside your normal expertise. This is your chance to gain completely new—and valuable—skills. But really, the most important thing you’ll gain is knowledge that you’re making a difference and helping others.

Additional Resources:

• BoardSource: Building Effective Nonprofit Boards
• BoardnetUSA: Connecting nonprofit boards and new leaders
• Alice Korngold, “Finding Jobs in This Economy: Nonprofit Board Experience Can Pay Off,” Fast Company, October 15, 2008.
• Alice Korngold, “How Serving on a Nonprofit Board Makes You a Better Business Professional,” Fast Company, September 7, 2009.
• Alice Korngold, “Choosing a Nonprofit Board,” Fast Company, September 11, 2009