Nonprofit Employment

When looking for career building employment opportunities, the nonprofit sector provides a lot of opportunity for Military Spouses. This industry is attractive because of the prevalence of nonprofits surrounding military installations. There is a wide array of organizations requiring a host of different skill sets. So even if you cannot find employment with a nonprofit you could still use the opportunity to hone your skills and build your resume by volunteering. In this portion, we will provide an overview of the industry and information to help you navigate it successfully.

What types of jobs are available in the nonprofit sector?

The nonprofit sector is used to describe organizations that typically fill in the gaps left behind by the government or business sectors, often times by working directly or indirectly with certain communities. Unlike the for profit sector, those who work in the nonprofit sector often work to promote a cause or to provide some kind of public service. Those who work in the nonprofit sector typically find nonprofit work very rewarding.

There are three main types of nonprofit organizations:

• 501(c)(3) – This category comprises a majority of nonprofits, who must show broad public support, donations are tax-deductible.
• 501(c)(4) – organizations that operate exclusively for the promotion of the social welfare (advocacy work), donations are not tax-deductible.
• 501(c)(6) – Professional and trade associations such, donations are not tax-deductible.

Many of the positions found in the for-profit sector are also available in the nonprofit sector and they include:

• CEO
• President
• Accountant
• Administrative Assistant
• Event planner
• Manager
• Programmer
• Researcher

There are other positions that are fairly exclusive to the nonprofit sector:

• Program Director
• Advocate
• Community organizer
• Grant writer
• Volunteer resources administrator

How can I search for nonprofit work?

There are a few ways to search for jobs in the nonprofit sector, one of which is to do some research and identify specific organizations whose cause or work interest you and inquire directly with these organizations about available positions. Alternatively, available positions in the nonprofit sector can be found often by category or job title at various sites including:

Idealist

• Job search by type, keyword, and location.
• Career resources available and application/interview tips
• New trends and best practices in the nonprofit sector

Bridgestar

• Job search by category, job function, and location
• Offers career advice on transitioning to nonprofit work
• Provides tips from job hunting to application prep

The Chronicle of Philanthropy

• Job search by category, job function, and location
• Provides recent research and data about the nonprofit sector
• Provides information on various causes, can also job search by cause (advocacy, health, environment, etc.)
• Offers career advice and latest trends

Jobs for Change

• Job search by category and location
• Includes Q&A section on nonprofit jobs and provides advice

Opportunity Knocks

• Job search by category, job function, employment type, and location
• Post/edit your resume to the site where employers can view it
• Offers career resources

Another useful resource is Encore Careers (from Civic Ventures)

What is the hiring process for nonprofit jobs?

The hiring process for the nonprofit sector is often very similar to the for profit sector.

1. Employers will post job openings through various means such as the websites listed under the previous section as well as through professional networks within the nonprofit sector.
2. Hiring manager(s) go through applications received for the position and candidates are then selected for interviews.
3. Interviews of selected candidates are conducted by the nonprofit’s hiring manager(s), and there is often more than one round involved with interviewing candidates. In many cases those selected for later round interviews will meet with other employees or higher ups in the organization and often times the Executive Director of the organization for a final decision on the candidates.
4. A written offer is extended to the candidate selected including salary and benefits.

What do you need to know when applying/interviewing for nonprofit jobs?

The nonprofit cover letter

When writing a cover letter for a nonprofit position many of the same rules apply as with other sectors. Nonprofit cover letters are where job seekers should demonstrate that they have thought specifically about matching their skills and experience to the position they are applying for while demonstrating an in-depth understanding and commitment to the cause of the organization. Furthermore, the cover letter provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate your strong skills as a communicator and you can master important details with ease. A few tips for cover letter writing include:

• Use correct names and titles, grammar, and spelling.

  Make sure you proofread the letter for any grammatical mistakes and always make sure you correctly spell the name of the person it is addressed to. If you do not have a name to address your letter, call the organization to try and find a person to address the cover letter to and ensure that you get their name and title correct.

• Showcase your interest.

  You should be able to clearly present your interest in both the position and the organization as a whole. For nonprofit employers it is important that perspective candidates show commitment to the cause the organization works towards, therefore the cover letter provides you with the opportunity to showcase your interest in taking the position.

• Present your skill-set with honesty and positivity.

  Your cover letter is another opportunity, apart from your resume, for you to demonstrate to the prospective nonprofit employer that you will be can make a dynamic contribution to the organization and will be a valued member of the team. You may use your cover letter to show interests and abilities that may not be readily apparent in your resume. Be careful to demonstrate your relevant skills without coming across as boastful or arrogant. Therefore, exercise tact when showing the employer that you are competent and qualified for the position.

• Demonstrate your flexibility.

  Use your status as a Military Spouse to your advantage by demonstrating your flexibility in regards to work schedules and environments. Use your mobility as a chance to show the employer that you can work under a variety of circumstances and how well you adjust to change.

The nonprofit resume

• Emphasize transferrable skills (from other sectors) for the position.

  This means that when applying for a management position you should emphasize any skills that you have built up that would be useful to managing either a project or other people. If you are applying for a grant writer position highlight any experience in writing proposals for grants or funding, or experience dealing with finances. See these resources for further details.

  • Idealist
  • Philanthropy Journal

• Highlight nonprofit experience.

  This is especially important when making the transition from the for profit sector. Make sure you highlight any experience that is relevant to the nonprofit field including work for other organizations and volunteer experiences or any work done for a nonprofit committee or board.

• Demonstrate ability to produce results.

  While this is also important in other sectors, this is especially important for nonprofit work. Hiring managers want to know that you will be able to produce results for the organization whether that is through fundraising, increased cooperation with other organizations, or in advocacy. Therefore, it is essential to highlight areas in your resume where you came up with solid deliverables.

Interview Tips

• Make a connection.

  When interviewing with a nonprofit, hiring managers want to see that you connect with the mission of the organization. Make sure that you effectively communicate to the employer that you are dedicated to the mission of the nonprofit and highlight past experiences (volunteer work, etc.) that demonstrate your commitment.

• Be prepared upon arrival.

  Make sure that you come to the interview prepared and professional. This means bringing extra copies of your resume and cover letter, a list of references, and a writing sample if applicable.

• Sell yourself.

  You should be able to answer exactly why you want this specific position you are interviewing for and why you want to work at the organization. Furthermore, be ready to clearly state your skills and experiences, and how you will make a dynamic contribution to the organization.

• Do your research and prepare questions.

  Come prepared with questions for the employer during your interview. Be sure that the questions you ask demonstrate your critical thinking skills and the research you have done on the organization and the field.

• Keep a positive attitude.

  While professional skills are very important to nonprofit employers, personality and culture fit play an important role. Being positive, articulate, energetic, and passionate about the cause are crucial to a successful career in most nonprofit environments, so be sure to showcase your confidence and a positive attitude during the interview.

• Post-interview.

  Remember to follow up with hiring managers after your interview to thank them for the opportunity. Following up with a thank you is considered a professional courtesy and can help hiring managers in potentially picking you over another candidate for the open position.

What are average salary and benefits in the nonprofit sector?

Like in any other sector, it is important to research salaries and benefits of nonprofit jobs and in particular the positions you apply for before accepting any job. Average salaries for non-profit employees often tend to be on the lower end of the pay scale. The average salary of an Executive Director of a nonprofit organization in the US is roughly $55,900 down to an Administrative or office manager position whose salary average is roughly $34,700. Average salaries for various positions can be found at Payscale.com and The Philanthropy Journal. The Payscale site also includes compensation trends in the nonprofit sector for 2009 and 2010 that may show the direction that salaries in this sector are heading in coming years.

What are the benefits of volunteering for building a nonprofit career?

Nonprofit hiring managers often see volunteer experience as highly valuable in their search through potential candidates and this can work to the advantage of a mobile military spouse who can take advantage of volunteering for different organizations/causes in various locations. Furthermore, gaining volunteer experience is a great way to transition into nonprofit work for those making the switch from other sectors.

Although volunteering may not always directly lead to a position with that organization, there are many career benefits to volunteering including:

• Networking.

  People working within the organization you volunteer with can be a great resource by potentially providing information on job openings in your target field and they may be able to introduce you to the right people to advance your career. In addition, you can approach your volunteer supervisor to act as a reference for you during your job search.

• Development of nonprofit job skills.

  Volunteer work for an organization is an excellent way to help gain relevant job skills that will benefit you in your nonprofit job search. For more midcareer spouses, volunteering will provide you with the opportunity to apply current job skills (from other sectors) in a new way, therefore revealing your skills to be transferable to the nonprofit sector.

• Exploring your options.

  Volunteering as opposed to full time work gives you the opportunity to explore different jobs and issue areas within the nonprofit sector. Volunteering can thus help you to decide what cause or issues you are most committed to working on and allows you to begin building your experience and honing in job skills that can be beneficial for future job searches.

• Building experience in the nonprofit world.

  Nonprofits place a high premium on a candidate’s dedication to their cause or issue area. By volunteering your time to a nonprofit organization, you will be able to demonstrate to hiring managers when you engage in your job search that you are both knowledgeable and committed to the work and issues they advocate.

Volunteer positions can be found through various websites including Volunteer Match, Idealist and QuintCareers.