Animal Jobs Digest

Are You Making a Good First Impression? Re-evaluating Your Interview Attire

By Animal Jobs Digest February 25, 2016All articles, How-to succeed

By Paula Fitzsimmons

I know, we’re in this fight to save animals – not to look great. You’re a passionate, skilled worker who can make a real difference. The thing is this . . . potential employers may not be able to see how dazzling you are if you show up for your interview in unprofessional attire.

Even if it’s on a subconscious level, hiring managers are watching how you present yourself. So not paying attention to this seemingly small – but crucial – detail could cost you a job.

Should You Start Your Own Animal Welfare Nonprofit?

By Animal Jobs Digest February 17, 2016All articles, Career options, Featured articles

By Paula Fitzsimmons

If you’ve ever considered starting your own animal welfare nonprofit organization, you’re not alone. According to an article by the Chronicle of Philanthropy, the number of animal welfare and environmental charities have grown by 82.5 percent in recent years.

If you’d like to join these ranks, I’m here to cheer you on . . . but also to offer a cautionary tale: Starting and running a nonprofit is tough work and is something you need to research thoroughly – and then some – before diving in.

Find the Time (and Energy) to Volunteer

By Animal Jobs Digest February 10, 2016All articles, Featured articles, How-to succeed

By Paula Fitzsimmons

If you want to stand apart from other applicants, having volunteer experience on your resume is essential. Look at it from the employer’s perspective: All things being equal, wouldn’t you be more inclined to choose the candidate who took the extra step? Volunteering shows you care – that you’re willing to give your time to something greater than yourself without expecting something in return.

Do You Write About Animals? Where to Find Paying Markets

By Animal Jobs Digest February 3, 2016All articles, Career options, Featured articles

By Paula Fitzsimmons

If you’re a freelance writer specializing in topics like health, finance, and tech, paying markets are relatively easy to locate. If you write about animals or the environment, however, your options start to decrease . . . but not by as much as you may think. Discovering paying markets for your work is easier if you know where to look. The following ideas are designed to help you widen your search.

Are Your Expectations of Animal Nonprofit Work Realistic?

By Animal Jobs Digest January 25, 2016All articles, Inspiration & ideas2 Comments

By Paula Fitzsimmons

When you envision working for an animal nonprofit, what comes to mind? A utopian environment where colleagues incessantly exchange niceties? Kumbaya. A workplace where you don’t have to bring on your very best game? Or perhaps you think it’s a place to hang out until “real” work comes along.

If you answered yes to any of these, you’d be mistaken.

Fun Career-Boosting Ideas to Try This Summer

By Animal Jobs Digest January 20, 2016All articles, How-to succeed, Tools for success

By Paula Fitzsimmons

It’s the middle of winter. Which makes it the perfect time to start shaping up your summer plans. Whether you’re a student, career changer, or are already working in the field, summertime is the ideal time to pick up a new skill or credential.

Look at the following for ideas on making the most of your summer – both personally and professionally.

Animal Lovers: Have You Considered Starting One of These Businesses?

By Animal Jobs Digest January 13, 2016All articles, Career options, Featured articles3 Comments

By Paula Fitzsimmons

Aspiring animal-loving entrepreneurs have more options than ever. Starting a business – any business – used to be more complicated and expensive. The growth of technology, service providers, and funding options have opened doors.

Yet there are some things innovation can’t replace. Business owners still need to possess a strong work ethic, patience, and tenacity. That never changes. Success is often gradual, and despite what the adverts say, doesn’t happen effortlessly or without a learning curve. I speak from experience.

The Best Animal Lover Jobs for 2016 and Beyond?

By Animal Jobs Digest January 6, 2016All articles, Featured articles, How-to succeed

By Paula Fitzsimmons

Working for animals is a labor of love. If your career aspirations involve protecting some of this planet’s most defenseless creatures, there’s probably little that can keep you from your goals.

Including job forecasts.

I’m not a huge fan of basing career choices solely on statistics, and here are a few reasons why . . .

Yes, Job Opportunities Do Await Animal-loving Baby Boomers

By Animal Jobs Digest January 1, 2016All articles, Featured articles, Inspiration & ideas

By Paula Fitzsimmons

I recently stumbled upon a quote that gave me pause. It’s by 19th century novelist, George Eliot and reads “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” I’ve made peace with the fact that I’ll never fulfill certain childhood dreams. (Fat chance of becoming an Olympic figure skater.)

But barring physical limitations and factors outside our control, career options are pretty much limitless for those of us in our second act of life.

This applies to careers in the animal welfare world, too.

Want to Start a Solo Dog Walking Business? First Ask Yourself These 9 Questions

By Animal Jobs Digest December 26, 2015All articles, Career options, Featured articles1 Comment

By Paula Fitzsimmons

Find a few clients, offer to walk their dogs, get some exercise, then get paid. If only starting and running a dog walking business were that simple. And that’s what we’re talking about here: a business. An enjoyable and important business perhaps, but still a business – one in which you have to be as concerned with customer service, accounting, marketing, and local ordinances, as you are with providing excellent care to dogs.

That said, even though dog walking is a business, the welfare of the animal should always come before profit.

When starting any new venture, it’s easy to get swept away with the possibilities, that you may overlook the finer details. That’s what I’m here for – to tell you about those important factors that you shouldn’t overlook.