HIRE ENCORE: Attract
People transitioning into encore careers are motivated by many factors, from personal meaning and satisfaction to income and benefits. They seek jobs that offer:
- Challenge and growth
- Impact
- Opportunity to use skills
- Flexibility
- Autonomy
Position Description
A well-crafted position description is a marketing tool as well as an outline. Find general advice for writing job descriptions in the Get Started: Design section. To attract top encore candidates, consider:
- Does the job description articulate its mission alignment and impact?
- Are experience requirements worded in a way that emphasizes transferable skills?
- Are opportunities for learning and growth highlighted?
- Is there potential for flexibility in location or schedule?
This checklist, developed by Encore Boston Network, will help you write position descriptions with encore talent in mind.
Position Description Example
Fundraising Events Specialist, Foodshare. This nonprofit needed to hire someone to manage events as part of their development team. The position description invited encore-stage applicants in these ways:
- Education and experience requirements were not tied to the nonprofit sector
- Key skills were phrased in transferable language (i.e. strong communication skills)
Foodshare successfully hired a former food industry sales/management executive.
See full position description.
Encore Talent in Action
From insurance executive to nonprofit manager
Tracie Cloutier, Program Manager, Connecticut Pre-Engineering Program (CPEP): “There’s nothing more satisfying than having your work be something that you’re passionate about, and something that improves the community that you live in. That’s definitely one of my favorite parts of making the transition to nonprofit.”
FEATURED RESOURCE
Attracting talented employees of all ages
Strong candidates of all ages are drawn to fulfilling jobs where they are valued and appreciated. Fair pay, cafeteria-style benefits and flexibility in work schedules appeal to workers across the lifespan. This AARP article provides tips to build a multigenerational workplace by designing work and structuring benefits that appeal to all workers.
Director of Operations, Brooklyn Prospect Charter School
“The ideal candidate possesses a passion for or background in education, is knowledgeable about the charter movement, and has professional experience in operations, project management or administration in a fast-paced environment. The [candidate] is dedicated to the mission of Brooklyn Prospect, and committed to keeping the academic and personal success of our students as a focus, while striving to grow professionally and support our operational excellence.”