The Benefits & Challenges of Nonprofit Job Seeking – Nonprofit Job Seeking Tips

Ok, lets start with the benefits:

(1) They Are Attractive To Work At Because They Are Mission Driven And They Offer A Do-Good Feeling From Working At Them.
o At a nonprofit you can work someone you actually care about. And because of this (in the job-seeking stage) they also expect you to offer more than just a resume match.
o To secure a position you will need to demonstrate a personality fit, and your proven passion for their mission.
o Even your outside activities all matter to nonprofit employers.
o Bottom line: nonprofits are looking for people who care about their purpose as much as they do.
o As long as you are active in pursuing your interests this will help you, but in situations where job seekers have been passive about volunteering, or working in for such a purpose this will work against you.

(2) Another Big Benefit Are “The People” In The Sector.
o We are progressive, open to change, and care about our communities; where else can you find this?
o In general nonprofit employers truly care about their staff and are normally open to committee decision making.
o This is different than for-profits. For-profit companies are top down only decision makers (traditionally) and normally do not “discuss” their decisions openly before they are made in the same way. This is a great strength but also a great challenge. For this reason expect the hiring process to take a bit longer.
o Though the process is time intensive, it is also offers stability, reliability, and employee buy in. Things that are very important when considering nonprofit leaders are responsible to boards, and many times must justify their decisions. Another benefit of difference in seeking in the nonprofit sector is that it allows us to passionately work in an area without appearing like “fanatical jobseeker.”
o If you approached a for-profit with as much direct experience as many nonprofit jobseekers do, you would probably be labeled a stalker or out for personal gain. Honestly, try telling a Finance Director at Gap Inc., that you watched them speak at the most recent event at Masconi Center, that you volunteered at their two last gala/events since 2005, met their personal assistant at an art show last week, read the last three publications they had written, that you are very devoted what they do, and really want to work with them. They will be either terrified of you, or expect you to do their laundry.
o Nonprofits are different. You are expected to network in their area of expertise, read their works, meet their employees, and volunteer at their events. In fact that is fastest way to get hired at one.
Unlike for-profit corporations the information you need to secure a job lead is very available in the nonprofit sector. You always here people say this, getting a job is all about networking. For better or worse, finding the best job for you often comes down to knowing the right people. Maintain relationships from past jobs, internships and volunteer experiences.” Thus, having the correct experience volunteering, and the right approach is a strong way in.
o Remember that in the nonprofit world it is much better publicized when their events are, and how to get involved with an organization.
o Each of these are opportunities to get your foot in the door.
o So, go to their website, and you will find many doorways in.
o Information on how to volunteer, and even the Executive Director’s email is normally located right there.

The Challenges
(1) Finding the position you are right for and sticking with it. (RECUITERS SEE THIS EVERYDAY!) If you can choose a position that you are interested and stick with it you will always be employed.
o Story: many people always say, “wow I would be great at event planning,” but only stay in the position (if they can get it) for a year to three.
o This is the same for Grant Writers, why are they so in demand? This is because most people do not stay in the area, or only dabble in their creation.
o The key is to find a position/area you are right for and sticking with it.
o This is the key to your professional success and it is also your hardest decision.
o Don’t go from development back to programs.
o Don’t go from operations to marketing.
o These leaps are very hard to pull off.
o Decide what you want to do today and start working in it; if you don’t have enough experience in it to get paid yet; volunteer.
o If you are senior level and are not working in it now, better join a board.

(2) Choosing and sticking to a general area of interest and overall mission or niche within the nonprofit sector.
o Jobseekers everyday are surprised when they are not selected for an opportunity, and may have come in second or third in the interview process.
o I would say 8 out of 10 times it is because another person had prior exact industry experience in the position.
o So, if you are working in education, stay in education, if you are working in a religious organization stay in what you know.
o Of course people also get board and need change. This is the biggest challenge in nonprofit job-seeking: finding an area that you like and sticking to it.
o Remember you are most qualified for working in the area you are currently in, so choose wisely the positions and roads you enter.

(3) In the nonprofit sector we are very diverse in ethnicity, but not always diverse in beliefs within each organization. This can be limiting in some ways.
o Since we are mission driven entities and most nonprofits hire individuals that morally agree with their actions, this can limit our expose to outside beliefs and competitive information.
o Organizations hire individuals aligned with their mission, and normally do not hire disinterested perspectives.
o This is also why having an active board is so important for nonprofits, and also why we hear in the recruiter sector “I don’t want a yes person,” from executive directors.
o This problem does not exist as much for the for-profit sector. Disinterested perspectives and stockholders are actually required for may many larger for-profit corporations.

(4) Lastly, understanding the truths behind some of the myths of the nonprofit sector is also a challenge and can prove very helpful. Here a few that are talked about quite a bit and some that I also found discussed on Idealist.org:

Myth (1), “No one makes any money in the nonprofit sector.”
This just not true, in fact $670 billion are earned by nonprofit organizations annually, and one in twelve Americans work in the nonprofit sector.

Myth (2) Working for a nonprofit is not really a career path.
o In reality, the nonprofit sector provides many people with a lifetime of exciting work.
o Nonprofits also tend to offer young people more leadership opportunities than other sectors.

Myth (3) Everyone that works in the nonprofit sector is nice. Though I must say that the sector is filled with many happy people, it is also filled with difficult personalities, big egos, and office politics as well.

Myth (4) The nonprofit sector is not competitive.
Organization at time do compete with each other for funds, grants, and on certain issues, organizations may have missions that are in direct opposition to one another (such in the case of abortion, or the environment/development). You have to be competitive as jobs seeker as well, and make sure to market yourself fully and honestly.

Myth (5) Working for a nonprofit is just like volunteering, this in not true. Nonprofits rely on volunteers however they are often shielded from the organizational, financial, or issues relating to time working in the field.

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Salary Negotiations; The Nonprofit Approach & Notes For The For-profit Sector

How to negotiate your salary without loosing ground or the job.

There are many approaches to successfully negotiating your salary, what I am going to share with you are helpful tips to better prepare yourself for the process.

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Nonprofit Resumes Differ | BLOG

    First thing is first. Don’t listen to other people about your resume. Most people, even the individuals that think that they know about resumes are wrong. Only recruiters, and the Exact HR Director reading your resume are a strong judge of your current word smith abilities.

 

    Here is the deal. Nonprofit resumes are different. In the corporate world it is important to only have your profile, skills, and experience. But in the nonprofit world they also want to see some of your devotion to their mission displayed on your resume. This, does not give you license to use unprofessional tones or language in your resume. Never us less than formal language, or talk about yourself in the third person on your resume.
    What you need to add to be a strong nonprofit candidate are sections for Volunteering, Continuing Education, Writing, and Interest sections. These are the sections for those of you think on nonprofit prior experience you will need to buff up, in order to retain the interview.
    Think about what books you have read that relate to the nonprofit, what magazines or periodicals, or websites that pertain to their mission. Think about where have you volunteers over the years or given money to.
    Top Ten Job Seeking Tips
    (The secret to Job Seeking)
    1. Always cast a wide net.
    2. If you build it, they can come. (Instead of simply posting your resume on a Web site, take it one step further and design a physical portfolio, or Web site or online portfolio, this makes you stand out more than other candidates very quickly if it is done professionally).
    3. Always have more than one person read and edit your resume and cover letter!
    4. Always follow-up with phone calls and emails in a professional manner that effectively communicates
    your interest in a position without being too demanding.
    5. Always be patient, the hiring managers are busy and will normally always get back to you.
    6. If you are not getting a good response from your resume, likely something is wrong and you may wish to
    consult a job coach or mentor.
    7. Informational meetings can and do lead to job offers.
    8. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice for what you want.
    9. Do decide specifically what position you want; people that know what they wish to do always get the job.
    Even if you are not sure, pick something.
    10. Volunteering where you want to work is the fastest way to get hired there.

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How To Find A Job In The Nonproft Sector

Reading this is a strong step towards obtaining the job and or new position that you want at a nonprofit or foundation. Congratulations, you have now made a solid and real step towards educating yourself on the possibilities and new career pathways hidden within the sector.

This information is meant to offer you insight into the different cultures of the separate nonprofit industries, and further offers advice on how best to apply and approach the sector you are most interested in.

From Green industries to the Arts, to women’s rights social services this touches on what you need to know in order to be able to apply at one.

Written here is real information about what it takes to get the nonprofit job you want, and also further pathways for adding meat to your resume, nonprofit profile, and employment strategies that actually work.

My name is Isaac Woodrow Schild and I am an nonprofit employment expert. I have been a CEO, President of a staffing company started by nonprofits, an Nonprofit Executive Director, and most importantly a Nonprofit Executive Recruiter and expert in the field– so I know the tricks, realities, and approaches to get you the interview and get you hired that no one else understands.

Think of nonprofits just like any other culture like a club: there is a specific approach for speaking to them, to applying with them, and for entering into them for a new career path.

In my prior years I have helped staff over a thousand nonprofit organizations, foundations and universities to date. And believe me when I tell you that this is a completely different playing field that most corporate cultures, and gaining real and usable nonprofit experience can be a very tricky thing.

I say this not to daunt you, or scare you from doing it, or opening your own nonprofit, but instead to educate you on the real activities that you will have to partake in. It is today that you change your career, and start doing things in your everyday life that start to prepare you for a career in the nonprofit sector.

Its is true that making a difference in your day job to help others is a very fulfilling path, but it is also true that it takes preparation, knowledge and strategy.

Step One: forget everything that you think that you know.

It is a misnomer that the it is a easy to transfer your current experience into the nonprofit sector. It does not matter if you have been a CEO of a large for-profit successful entity, nor a business development professional with over twenty years of experience. To get a job at a foundation, nonprofit organization, or educational institution your prior experience may not even help you in some cases unless you personally started Google, or your name is Hewlett Packard.

It is a general misconception that because private salaries are larger than the nonprofit sector that for-profit professional experience is also worth more. It isn’t. In fact, it is quite the opposite.

Now, what I am not saying is that your prior expertise is not important. If you are lucky enough to be looking to work at a nonprofit in a specialized field the exact same as your previous experience, this will hold more influence.

But where most people fall seeking work in the nonprofit sector, they are instead interested in working in a “related” field to what they had been working in. Sales professionals want to enter into Fundraising, Administrative professionals want to help run nonprofit programs, Consultants want to run Marketing nonprofit departments, Real Estate and Finance professionals want to run housing programs and help social services.

It’s just not that simple. Choosing to work in an area, and also having the specific skills is not the most important thing in landing the job that you want at a nonprofit. If that were true than previous experience would not be required at all. Instead pervious direct experience in the same department, arena, or area is sought. Do you have it already? If you do, then you will still need to apply the principles within this book to successfully obtain the position you desire.

If you are like most candidates, the good news is, there are ways around this barrier, but it takes work, devotion, and a willingness to create documentation, resumes, and information about yourself. The number one reason that people fail to land the job that hey want in the nonprofit sector is because they choose to not put the time and work into demonstrating you are a viable nonprofit candidate.

Getting a job at a nonprofit, is not just as easy as submitting a resume, making a follow-up phone call, and dropping a thank you note after an interview. Though it is true that all these things are a good idea, it is also even more true that you must first demonstrate to prospective nonprofit employers that you fit them much closer than you ever though required in the past, or in the for-profit sector.
Tip one: be mission driven.

Tip two: volunteer in the area you want to work, and in the position/or department you want obtain. From there you are just a hop, skip, and jump away from your dream job!

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Picking a Staffing Agency To Work With- How and What To Do.

Picking a staffing company is an important step in finding work or finding staff. We recommend using the smaller and local companies first because they tend to spend more time with their candidates and many times have more interesting jobs. When you are there work with the staffing recruiter to make your resume better. Ask for tips on how to improve it, and ask them if they recommend any other staffing companies in the area.

What To Ask A Staffing Company

The first thing you want to do is find out how to best apply. Here are some suggestions of good questions to ask when calling them.

1.Do you offer open temp interview and registration time slots?
2.What industry they place the most people in?
3.How many perm jobs do they find monthly for people in the area?
4.What do you think the best thing candidates get out of meeting with their company?
5.Are you in need of more candidates in any areas? If so, which?
What to do next?

We recommend registering with two to three staffing options. One small, one large in the area. Always cast a wide next when looking for work though agencies. They have a lot of applicants and can not help everyone. But if you have gone to three and not gotten any work, I would suggest you rework your resume or rethink your approach. After meeting with three you have plenty of good options if you are a viable candidate.

TIP: When you meet them. Ask them if they think you are a viable candidate for immediate work, and if so in what area. If they do not say the area you are interested in, ask them how to improve your resume and profile to be able to get the work you desire. But if you don’t ask, you will never know for sure.

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