Recommended reading: The Nonprofit Career Guide

 

1. You can crawl into bed at the end of your day knowing you made a difference. There’s no way to calculate the value of this “psychic paycheck,” and the gift we give ourselves if we love and are proud of our work.

 

2. Nonprofits offer stimulating work and abundant opportunities. The majority of nonprofits are small or mid-sized organizations, operating with limited staff. Their leaders regularly emphasize the need for employees who can multi-task. Great workers will find themselves handed great responsibility, a range of work and opportunity.

 

3. You can earn a livable salary. True, the nonprofit sector is famous for low salaries. Increasingly, however, nonprofits recognize that they must invest in their human resources and pay decent salaries in order to compete for the best talent. Plus, nonprofits have often been at the vanguard of offering great, but less traditional perks – from flexible work hours and job sharing to special work assignments.

 

4. Nonprofits need great leaders. Countless studies are addressing the upcoming leadership needs of nonprofit organizations, as their Baby Boomer founders start retiring. A skilled, experienced and passionate worker is likely to find abundant leadership opportunities at nonprofits in the decade ahead.

 

5. You’ll tap into one of the fastest growing parts of the U.S. economy. While the nonprofit sector feels the pains of the current economy just as corporations do, you may be surprised by just how large and vibrant this sector is. The U.S. is home to more than 1.4 million registered nonprofits (with $3.4 trillion in assets). From 1998 to 2005, employment in the sector grew by 16 percent – three times faster than the rest of the economy.

 

 

1. Be directed. Know what you want and be able to communicate it. It’s not enough to say, “I want to make a difference in the world.” Hone in on a particular field, and become well-versed in it. Be able to articulate – and prove – your passion for an organization’s mission. 

 

2. Communicate skills. Think strategically about the job function you want and are qualified for, and communicate the necessary skills in your résumé. Note that in today’s economy, nonprofits value workers familiar with fundraising and development, regardless of your assigned duties. Consider taking a grant writing workshop.

 

3. Gain experience. If you don’t have professional experience in the nonprofit sector, be sure to get substantive volunteer experience, and document this on your résumé. Be discriminating in the volunteer contributions you make – make sure it is meaningful work for an organization well-respected in the field.

 

4. Cultivate contacts. Nonprofit leaders say a top avenue for filling vacancies is word-of-mouth referrals. They want someone who is passionate about their mission, will fit into their “family” culture and will work hard – attributes often hard to capture on a résumé. They trust the recommendations of their colleagues. Work actively to build a strong network of individuals in your field. 

 

5. Have fun. Finding a job is a job, and nonprofits pose particular challenges. Most organizations are small or mid-sized, and don’t have a dedicated human resources function. It can be frustrating to break in, and it will sometimes seem impossible to land the job of your dreams. Stay focused and optimistic. Approach the job search as an opportunity to make new contacts, learn about an issue you care about and grow professionally. Try to find joy in the job hunt, and you will be more likely to find joy the job you land.