Drove out of a Lowe’s parking lot yesterday and saw two gentlemen standing in front of a van with the doors opened and a variety of specialty tools laid out in front of the van. Cardboard signs read “Skilled Carpenters- Need Work- Rate Negotiable.” I passed the van on three sides and clearly these individuals had all the tools one would expected of a competent carpenter.

How do we advertise our skills in the community? What is the marketplace for our labor and expertise? Clearly these individuals had decided that the parking lot at Lowe’s increased their probability of securing a job. Had they been standing in the parking lot with just a sign, I would have not have taken as much notice. The fact that they had their vehicle, the tools of the trade, a sign willing to offer references, and motivation made their presence more remarkable.

I have receive calls from people interested in working as Executive Directors with no previous nonprofit experience but plenty of corporate leadership, individuals interested in serving as the member of a board, volunteers just looking to use their specific skills. I am quite certain their is a position for each one of them. They call me because they hope that my role as consultant will advance them to the front door of the nonprofit super store where they can walk-in and find the position they are seeking. Sometimes I have potential leads and sometimes I do not.

Word of mouth is valuable. Being in the right place is even better. I wonder what the right place is for talent in the nonprofit sector?