22 Career Advancement In this issue of Association Chat Magazine, we’re looking at one of the most challenging and rewarding parts of any professional’s journey: the job hunt. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for your next big opportunity, the process can be a rollercoaster of emotions, uncertainties, and triumphs. For association professionals, in particular, the landscape is constantly evolving, requiring adaptability and clarity in choosing the right path. To shed light on this journey, we sat down with Mary de la Fe, who recently completed her own successful job search. In this candid Q&A, Mary shares her experiences, insights, and advice for those working through the complexities of finding a role that not only fits their skills but also aligns with their life goals and values. From managing uncertainty to identifying the perfect organizational culture, Mary offers a wealth of practical tips and personal reflections to inspire association professionals at every stage of their careers. Q: Hi, Mary! What motivated you to begin your job search, and what were you specifically looking for in a new role? I left my last full time association position back in March 2020 with the idea of working freelance. Obviously, those plans changed. After exploring a few pivots—learning to build websites and proofreading as a couple examples, I realized that meeting planning was what I’m meant to do. Unfortunately, most of the work I was finding were one off, on-site work, or online support for virtual events and I missed the full planning process. And I missed being part of a team and an organization. Q: How did you balance the desire for a position that aligned with your personal goals and the practical need for stability? Over the last four years I’ve learned a lot about myself and one thing I learned was that at this point in my life, I want a stable income that will allow me to live my life. Allow me to spend time with family and friends—I have a brand-new grandnephew that I look forward to watching grow up—and to travel for fun. I want to do work I love, but I do not want to dedicate all my time and effort to that work. One thing I really focused on in my search was flexibility. I knew before the pandemic that a daily commute and rigid rules regarding work hours was frustrating. So, in my search I focused primarily on organizations that offered fully remote or primarily remote options. Q: Were there any aspects of the job search process that surprised you, either positively or negatively? The number of times I did not receive a follow up email after an interview letting me know whether I was moving on in the process and/or did not get the position. I don’t really expect an email letting me know I wasn’t even going to get an interview, although with automated systems, I often do eventually get a generic, “thanks, but no thanks”, email. But I have had at least two organizations with no response after an interview, not even the eventual generic email that they went another way, after the first interview. And one even after a second interview. Q: How did you approach evaluating an organization’s culture? What were the key indicators that helped you decide if it was a good fit? I did as much research as possible into work culture— reading Glassdoor and other reviews, noticing if they had information about their work culture on their websites, if they had staff listings to check out, and, as much as possible, the diversity on staff and boards. I also paid attention to their process, and, when I was lucky enough to have interviews, I also really listened to my instincts to know whether this would a good fit for me. I tend to have good instincts for people. It’s as much about the right fit—on both sides—even more Life as an Association Professional THE JOB HUNT An Association Chat Q&A with Mary de la Fe, CAE, CMP
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