Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the qualifications and training of the Director of Candidate Services?
A: Heather Krasna has a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management, a Certificate in Adult Career Planning and Development, a Certificate in Organizational Development, over 12 years’ experience as a successful career coach to thousands of job seekers, and is a published author and recognized career thought leader in the field of public service and nonprofit job search. Her book, Jobs That Matter: Find a Stable, Fulfilling Career in Public Service, has been reviewed in the US News and World Report, USA Today, NPR, Houston Chronicle, Seattle Times, New York Times Syndicate, and prominent websites including Careerbuilder.com, HotJobs, and Idealist.org. She is regularly invited to speak at national conferences on the topic of nonprofit job search.

Q: Have you worked with someone with my background?
A: Heather has worked with: executives with 30+ years of experience; individuals changing careers from private or public sector to the nonprofit sector; people who are seeking promotions, moving to new mission areas, switching job functions, or reconsidering their career options; recent college graduates just entering the workforce; doctors, lawyers, engineers, accountants, professional musicians, PhDs, financial services professionals, stagehands, chefs, certified fundraising executives, diplomats, inventors, foresters, social workers, program managers, executive directors, computer scientists, federal, state and local government employees, and just about every other profession; parents and caregivers returning to the workforce, freelancers looking for full-time work, individuals launching consultancies, individuals with various disabilities, retirees looking for second careers, and individuals with gaps in employment; recent immigrants and international students, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals, and individuals from every ethnic and cultural background.

Q: Will utilizing Candidate Services give me priority for placements via the Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group’s executive searches?
A: No. Candidate Services is a separate line of business from the executive search work performed by Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group. Purchasing coaching services does not grant you priority for searches. While the Director of Candidate Services may, on occasion, refer candidates for open searches that fit with candidates’ backgrounds, the searches are handled by separate staff and a referral may not provide any special advantage.

Q: Does the Director of Candidate Services provide job placement?
A: No. The Director of Candidate Services works with you to ensure that your professional promotional materials and personalized search strategy enable you to direct your own job search. While she does not provide job placement services, you will find that working with her will give you a significant advantage in your job search.

Q: Do you have a guarantee that I will find a job after working with you?
A: Simply put, we stand behind our work, but we cannot stand behind your work history or job search efforts. We will work with you to provide services that package your experience in ways that make you an attractive candidate to the positions for which you are qualified. However, if your work history has created a difficult path ahead, or if your expectations of your next position are unreasonable, there is a limit to what we can do for you.

Q: I’m not sure which package makes sense for me. Can I customize them?
A: Absolutely. Every one of our clients is an individual, with their own particular questions, concerns, and issues. Our packages are simply meant to be a guide, and are examples of how many other clients have successfully engaged our firm. However, because each of our clients is unique, we often customize packages based on individual client’s needs, budgets, and capacity. For example, if you want six hours of coaching but want to focus on career assessment rather than job search, you can purchase the Job Search Package but use the time on career assessment rather than resume writing, interviewing, and salary negotiation. We would be happy to adjust the number of hours, or repurpose the hours after an initial assessment conversation.

Q: I know that I need more than the basic service, but am worried about buying a bigger package that I may not need or entering into a larger contract without an assessment from you first. Can I try one hour and then apply it towards a larger package?
A: Yes. First, you must arrange this with the Director of Candidate Services in advance of payment. Then, you and she will schedule your first hour, and at the end of that session, you (with her assistance as needed) can decide if you want more time or to purchase a package. We will then bill you accordingly for the time spent or the package purchased; the time and money spent during that initial call will be applied to that package.

Q: What about confidentiality?
A: We know that people embarking on a job search may be facing many delicate issues: how to search without a current employer finding out, how to deal with a difficult supervisor or challenging organizational fit, how to handle a difficult departure from a previous position, and so on. You should feel confident that the information you share with us will be kept confidential, with the obvious exceptions of illegal activity or unless you give us permission to share the information more broadly.

Q: What is your payment policy?
A: We ask that all coaching be purchased by 24 hours in advance of the appointment. If an appointment is not paid for prior to the appointment time, it will be considered tentative and subject to cancellation or rescheduling.

Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: Once an appointment is set, we ask clients to provide 24 hours notice of cancellation (excepting in cases of personal emergency), or the fees will not be refunded.

Q: I need career coaching, but can’t afford your services. What should I do?
A: We come out of the mission-driven sector and respect that not everyone can afford personalized services. As much as we would like to help everyone in need, unfortunately this is not possible. We encourage you to read the articles posted on the NPAG website, consider reading the two books written by professionals at NPAG (Change Your Career: Transitioning to the Nonprofit Sector and Jobs That Matter: Find a Stable, Fulfilling Career in Public Service), Heather Krasna’s blog, and to consider using career services offered to alumni of colleges you may have attended, community services offered through nonprofit organizations in your area, employment assistance offered to people via your state unemployment agency, or workshops often provided through community organizations or libraries.

Q: I have another question not answered here. Can I talk with you?
A: Heather is happy to answer questions or speak briefly with individuals interested in candidate services for 10-15 minutes to ensure we will work well together. Email her at hkrasna@nonprofitprofessionals.com with your question(s) and schedule of availability to talk.