Jobs for Change - A must read: 5 questions with a real live non-profit job recruiter!

By Zach Knowling

  I met Randall Smith, a recruiter for Corporate Accountability International, through this blog at Jobs for Change. He was such a devoted fan of the blog that he jumped at the chance to be a part of blogger history by graciously giving his time to take part in the (incredibly useful) interview below. Thank you, Randall! 

What is Corporate Accountability? What do you do there?

Corporate Accountability International protects people and the environment from irresponsible and dangerous corporate actions.

We engage targeted corporations at every level: from coordinated, local grassroots actions to international policy negotiations on the biggest stage.

Today our work challenges the dangerous practices of some of the world’s most powerful industries.

I met Randall Smith, a recruiter for Corporate Accountability International, through this blog at Jobs for Change. He was such a devoted fan of the blog that he jumped at the chance to be a part of blogger history by graciously giving his time to take part in the (incredibly useful) interview below. Thank you, Randall!

What is Corporate Accountability? What do you do there?

 Corporate Accountability International protects people and the environment from irresponsible and dangerous corporate actions.

 We engage targeted corporations at every level: from coordinated, local grassroots actions to international policy negotiations on the biggest stage.

 Today our work challenges the dangerous practices of some of the world’s most powerful industries.

 Think Outside the Bottle exposes the truth behind bottled water marketing and defends the human right to water in the face of increasing corporate control.

Value [the] Meal challenges the fast food industry to stop driving an epidemic of diet-related disease, and our campaign Challenging Big Tobacco is blocking industry interference in health policies that protect our kids.

 As you know the air we breathe, the water we drink and our very democracy are under increasing threat from corporate abuses.  We are responding by growing our power base of grassroots activists across the country.  

 My role is to identify, recruit and hire the best organizers and fundraisers to build the power of the organization.

 How do recruiters seek out new applicants?

 We have a proactive recruitment program.  We call great organizers across the country and ask them “Who is the best organizer you have worked with?”  Then we call that person and see if there is a good match - for both the candidate and the organization.

 We also attend conferences and events to scout for great organizers and post on job boards like Change.org.

 What do you look for in new recruits at entry, middle and senior levels?

 Accomplishments – for candidates at all levels.  Your resume shouldn’t just list your job duties but what you accomplished at each position.   Bonus points if you include numbers.  

Look at this example:

 If you saw the following bullet points on two different resumes which person would you rather talk to?

 Developed and oversaw a grassroots fundraising drive.

Developed and oversaw a grassroots fundraising drive that increased individual contributions by over 350% in one year.

What advice would you give to people who want to stand out to recruiters?

Help them do their job.  If an organization has a recruiter that means they have a number of openings.  

For example, Corporate Accountability International is hiring a team of eight field organizers, an international organizer, an online director, and a press secretary right now.  We’re in the middle of a planned growth period and are opening new positions all the time.

Be generous with your network and share ideas with the recruiter of other people who would be good candidates.  Candidates who share names with me of other good organizers show me that they are well-connected and are confident in their qualification for the job.  

What advice would you give to people at all levels during the interview process?

Practice with a friend, with a video recorder or with a tape recorder.  When I am preparing for an interview I record my answers on a tape recorder to hear how I sound.  Do the answers make sense, highlight accomplishments and are they relevant to the position I am applying for?  

The important thing for me is to not listen to the answers right away.  I wait a day because if I listen to it right away I always think I sound great.  Then next day is when I can really hear and evaluate the answer.

Why would you say Corporate Accountability International is a great place to work?

I work with a great team that has changed the way corporations are held accountable for the last 30 years.

Corporate Accountability International has won significant reforms in the life-threatening marketing of infant formula in the Global South, pushed G.E. out of nuclear weapons making and was a major contributing factor in the adoption of the world's first corporate accountability treaty, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Right now tens of thousands of people across the US are taking action on our campaigns.  Our members have moved dozens of mayors to cancel bottled water contracts and stand up for strong public water systems.  Just weeks ago we had our first victory with governors – the Governor of New York announced he’s cutting all state spending on bottled water.

I love being part of an organization that is challenging corporate abuse on a grassroots level.

To view article at change.org, click here.

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