Grant Writer Job Search: Social Media And Networking
Grant Writing Jobs Can Be Freelance, Temporary, Permanent and Self Employment.
A grant writer is very important to a non-profit organization and any other groups seeking government or private grant funding. A grant writer's job is to seek out appropriate funding for the project, research income sources and write the proposal. A grant writer can find work as an employee, temporary employee, freelancer or they may choose to start their own small grant writing business.
The best way to start a Grant writer job search is networking through companies that one has done grant work with in the past. If one does not have a lot of experience working in volunteer positions and/or small assistant positions to an experienced grant writer may be necessary. Volunteering with a non profit while actively job searching is the best way to find a job, even if you are not trying to get a job with the organization your volunteering with.
Many grant writers telecommute from home and only go to the office as needed. Work from home grant writers generally either need to start their own business or have lots of grant writing experience. A freelance and self-employed grant writer might find that there is a time when they have to many jobs going on and then a time when they have none.
Grant Writing jobs can come and go, so many grant writers also work as fundraisers or work in other technical writing jobs while jobs are slow. To become a grant writer one must be able to write in a direct technical manner and conduct thorough research. Not all grant writers are college graduates or professional fundraisers, many are writers with a passion.
As a grant writer for over ten years I have worked as a grant writer as an employee and a freelance writer. The most important thing I can tell someone about searching for jobs as a grant writer is to always be networking, even if you currently have a job. Not only is networking important when landing the next grant writing job, but it is also important when doing research for various grant writing projects.
Promoting Services In The Social Media
Shine Your Light: When you have a win and your within privacy guidelines, shout it out. Let people know what you are doing.
Don't Over Promote: While it is great to talk about your services or what is going on in your professional life, don't forget to be real. Comment others post even if you have nothing to gain by commenting and interacting, just remember to be genuine.
Choice Political Moves Carefully: Then is pretty well self explanatory. If you post something that is political or could be seen as that make sure it is something you truly believe in.
Simple Grant Writer Job Description
Identifies and researches potential private and public funding sources. Prominent responsibilities include preparation of grant proposals and funding applications.
For a more detailed job description go to supportingadvancement.com.
Formating Your Resume - Always research the job opening before sending out a resume.
A grant writer's resume must show strong writing and research skills. Research the specialty of the company your applying for and make sure to highlight any experience you have with that specialty. For example: If applying for a job opening in a public transportation company, make sure to highlight and jobs that might have dealt with public transportation. Grant writers seeking telecommuting or work from home positions should be careful to show strong organizational and time management skills within their resume.
Creating Targeted Cover Letters - Never Re-Use A Cover Letter
All resumes sent directly to organizations or groups must have a cover letter attached. A grant writer is more likely to get the job if they can show passion towards the project that needs funding. The cover letter is just the right place to tell prospective employers or customers why you want to help them gain funding for their project. If you have a personal story on why you relate to their mission, go ahead and tell the story. Just remember not to disclose anything in your cover letter that you would not want to be in the morning newspaper. Never send the same cover letter to different organizations.
Picking The Right Job References - Not everyone is fit to be a job reference.
Job references is a very important part of a grant writers resume, especially for the work at home grant writer. Grant writers become privilege to a lot of confidential information when writing grants, so companies must look for applicants that they can trust. Part of this process is contacting the applicants job references. A lot of thought should be put into who is put down on a job reference list. Never use a person for a referral that you can not trust to represent you in a positive light and take time with the interviewers questions. If interviewers feel that all of the questions was not asked, they might just move to the next applicant. Family and personal friends should not be used for references. For applicants with previous grant writing experience, previous organizations and groups that you helped in the past are great references to use. Make sure to list the name of the organization first then the contact person you worked with. Never put a person on a reference list with getting their permission first.
Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life." Confucius
Update Skills - Grant writer's must keep up with current proccedures and funding resources.
A good grant writer should always keep their skills updated by reading new grant writing books and attending grant writing classes on a regular basis. Competitive grant writers will be able to talk about what they have done to keep up with their grant seeking skills. Many interviewers will ask those they interview about books they recommend of fund raising and grant writing. The interviewer wants to know that you know, there is always more to learn about grant seeking.
Business Cards For Grant Writers
Rather you are a freelance or employed by a business a grant writer should always carry a business card.
Job Search Networking - Most Grant writer Jobs are filled by networking.
Many nonprofit organizations form a strong network within the community with other community serving groups and organizations. Those that are seeking a grant writer will typically ask those within their network if they know of a good grant writer for hire. Handing out business cards to non profits organizations and groups can help get your name out as a grant writer for hire. Join professional organizations and the local business chamber to start networking. Social media and fund-raising forums can also be great sources in networking to find a job.
- American Association of Grant Professionals
"The American Association of Grant Professionals, is a nonprofit membership association that builds and supports a community of grant professionals committed to serving the greater public good by practicing the highest ethical and professional standa - American Grant Writers Association: Professional Grant Researchers and Grant Writers
"American Grant Writers' Association's mission is to enhance the community of grant seeker professional standards and ethical practices through education, certification, networking and professional growth."
How to Search For Grant Writer Jobs Online
Over the past decade the process to job search has changed tremendously. No longer do you have to sit back and read the Sunday newspaper classifieds. While there are hundreds of online job seeking sites, always remember to use caution when giving out personal information. Seasoned Grant Writers may have more luck looking for a job on websites designed specifically to aid those seeking Non-profit jobs. Writers that are seeking to gain experience in the grant writing industry should seek out first jobs in job sites directed to technical writers.
Let me now what ways you are looking for a grant writer job. Did you find a grant writing job online? As a grant writer, do you prefer to work as a contractor a temporary employee, or a full time staff member?
