The Advertisement You’ll Never See

Here’s an advertisement you’ll probably never see:

“Wanted: people to whom I can give money. Send brochure and cover letter to We’re Giving Money, 123 E. Main St …”

So if that’s fantasy-land in fundraising, what makes you think it works for your career?

“But I see advertisements for jobs all the time,” I can hear you say. You do. But what’s your chance of getting one of those jobs? Not nearly the same as it would be if you identify prospective employers, set up times when you can meet them — whether one-to-one or through group networking — and they see you as the person to whom they want to give money, er, I mean a job.

The process is remarkably similar.

So the career lesson? No, it’s not “don’t read the advertisements,” but it’s see the ads for what they are: a chance to indulge your fantasies. Worth responding to? Yes, but not dependable. The real opportunities, like a real charitable gift, take a lot more work.