OK, so you all know that I've been looking for a new job for a while. I've been on a decent number of interviews lately, none of which have really panned out. So I called a few people back to find out if there was something that I could have done better, and I kept getting the same response which was that they thought the position didn't offer enough and that I would get bored.
I've been applying to positions pretty much on the same level as what I do now, some of them offer a little more responsability because they're smaller organizations. What do I do? The next position up requires a lot of experience that I don't have (I'm an assistant in a fundraising office- the next position up requires direct fundraising experience)- I could potentially look into a promotion here but I REALLY don't want that. I would be fine with working as an assistant for a few more years at an organization that I cared more about. In my opinion, in order to be a sucessful fundraiser and be happy with yourself at the end of the day, you need to believe in what you're raising the money for...that is not the case for me here.
So I'm stuck! I can't get a better job anywhere else, and I can't seem to get the same job somewhere else either. What do I do?? How do I get out of here?
I guess the obvious answer is to apply for the next step up. If people hiring your current position think you're overqualified, maybe you are. Maybe it's time to up your game a bit. Would you be willing to apply for positions above yours in other organizations?
Years and years ago, probably before I even had my first job, someone told me that the reason men climb the career ladder faster is because women apply for jobs that CAN already do and men apply for jobs that the probably COULD do. That is probably a huge generalization and I'm not sure it is true, but for some reason it always stuck with me.
I don't think there's any reason why you shouldn't apply for a job that require a little fundraising experience, particularly if it is something you want to do and could do. You might not have solid fundraising experience, but you probably have the skills to do fundraising...know the cause and how to talk about it, able to develop relationships, etc. It might be a little bit harder to sell yourself, but I bet you could do it.
I agree. Apply for jobs you don't think you qualify for and also keep applying for jobs at other organizations you like better and if the question comes up mention how that job from what you know in talking with them and based on job descriptions does offer you more eventhough it is a similar position and will challenge you because of this. The right job will come along just keep trying