7 Tips for Landing a Nonprofit Job as a Young Professional

I was lucky enough to meet with a group of young, aspiring nonprofit professionals at a brewery last week. There were seven of us sitting at a long wooden table, sharing ideas about how to wake up each morning and do good in the world.

Our discussion shifted between nonprofit vs for-profit roles, intern & volunteering experience, our values, what motivates us, why one person was interested in a particular path versus another, etc. It was fun to chat with such smart and motivated individuals just starting on their journey into the nonprofit space!?

It has been about ten years since I graduated with my first degree and really started pursuing my career in the nonprofit sector (at the time, I wanted to work in the museum field). Many of these individuals I met with have recently finished their degrees and wondering where to begin when looking for jobs in the nonprofit sector.?

So I thought about some valuable lessons that I learned over the past decade that might be helpful for them as they embark on their own journey. Here are some tips I put together on how to land a job in the nonprofit sector as a young professional:

Figure out what you want

As the old adage goes, know thyself.

Knowing (and acknowledging) your strengths and weaknesses is a must for any job seeker, but it's especially important when navigating this industry. The nonprofit sector is broad and encompasses many different roles ranging from clerical to out in the field. It's helpful to know what type of organization you'd like to work for (local vs international charities, etc), as well as what causes you're interested in supporting. Use the following questions to guide your exploration:

• What kind of work experience do I have? Do I have a better understanding of human relations or strategy or something else?
• What skills am I missing? What type of experience would make me more marketable in the nonprofit sector?
• Which causes am I most passionate about and why? Am I passionate about poverty alleviation or women's rights or education reform or something else?
• Are there certain organizations that stand out to me because they are doing innovative work in my field of interest?

Research organizations that interest you

Once you've established your goals and interests, the next step is to research organizations that match your interests. To start, identify some of the most well-known nonprofits that are making an impact in the field you're interested in. Spend some time reading through their mission statements and financials online to get a sense of what they do and how they operate as an organization. Knowing this will help you find more organizations like them.

Once you have a good list of organizations, take some time to research which ones are currently hiring and which ones might hire in the future. If any of the ones that interest you are not hiring right now, make note of when they normally do so and try to contact them around that time. Additionally, look into each organization’s approach to volunteer work—this could be a great way for you to gain experience with their company until there is an open position!

Network, network, network

One of the most important steps to landing a job in the nonprofit sector—or any sector for that matter—is networking. As a young professional ready to launch your career in the nonprofit sector, you may be ready for commencement, but are you ready to network like a pro?

Conferences and events are great places to start networking. There is a plethora of conferences and events related to different issues and topics all across the country throughout the year, like The Nonprofit Marketing Summit, Cause Camp, or the TNPA Leadership Summit. Attending these conferences gives you the opportunity to meet people over a common interest or passion and gives you something interesting to talk about besides weather patterns and the price of groceries.

The most important thing to remember is that it’s okay if you don’t know exactly what you want to do yet. If someone asks, “So what do you do?” tell them that you're looking for X, Y, or Z and ask them about the work they've done. Networking is not the same thing as asking outright for a job—you'll get much further if you take the time to build a relationship with people at conferences rather than approach everyone with your resume in hand.

Follow up with everyone you meet at an event by sending an email or connecting on LinkedIn (with a personalized message) within 48 hours of meeting them. Don't treat this like an afterthought—the follow-up will help cement your new connections memory of you and help build the relationship further.

Volunteer

If conferences aren’t an option for getting yourself out there, there are plenty of opportunities in your local community. You can look up organizations in your area on websites like VolunteerMatch or Idealist by searching for volunteer opportunities surrounding issues or topics that interest you like environment, human rights, community organizing, economic development, or anything else that might pique your interest!

Volunteering allows you to understand what an organization does and gives you the opportunity to build relationships with people who have a great idea of what it takes to do the job you want. It also shows your commitment to the cause, giving you a competitive edge over other applicants, and helps you learn more about the nonprofit job market. Volunteering even gives you a chance to try out different jobs within the field at no cost and without having to commit yourself long term if it doesn't turn out as expected.

The most important thing when volunteering is that you do it for the right reasons. Don't just look into opportunities because they're convenient or give good experience on your resume; make sure they align with your personal values and interests too! It'll be much harder for employers to see how passionate you are about their mission if there's not really much overlap between them and yours.

Join a professional association

Another great way to meet people in the nonprofit sector is to join a professional association. Most associations offer discounted rates for young professionals, which may or may not include access to networking events. If they don't, I recommend upgrading your membership so you can go to these events.

While there are more specialized networks, you should check out the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) as a good place to start (check out the Young Professional Membership option). Not only will you get access to great networking events and job opportunities, but you'll also benefit from their many resources that help educate members on the latest trends and data in fundraising.

If you're shy or don't feel like you have what it takes to network in person, there are also plenty of online communities and forums that can connect you with other young professionals, such as LinkedIn Groups or the Donorbox Knowledge Community. You can interact casually on message boards or even just lurk (read through the posts without participating) until you're comfortable enough with the community to start posting yourself. Platforms like these may give you access to job postings or important news within your niche sector of nonprofit work!

Take your time

Do not rush the process.

You are new to this industry and will have some factors working against you. Perhaps most prominently, you do not have a lot of working experience. Many organizations need experienced people to fill roles that truly capitalize on their skills. So, you may find yourself applying for lots of different jobs and not being selected for interviews very often. Do not be discouraged by this!

The reality is, many young professionals will find themselves in a similar situation when they enter the nonprofit sector (I was here once, too). Many successful young professionals found their roles by applying over and over again until they found one that was just right for them, while still actively engaging in the nonprofit space. And they were patient while they were doing it (but still persistent).

While it is great to apply to many jobs, know that the quality of your application matters more than the quantity of applications you make. This includes ensuring your resume is up-to-date with relevant skills or volunteer experience, as well as including a cover letter where you address why this organization and position interests you specifically. Do not underestimate the power of a really well-written cover letter.

Hang in there and enjoy the journey

When you are first starting out in the nonprofit sector, it can feel like a catch-22: no one wants to hire you because you lack experience, but how are you supposed to get experience if no one will hire you? It is definitely discouraging when someone says that they have “no budget” for an intern or entry-level position, but there is hope!

Most importantly, try not to take it personally. I know this is hard, especially when the rejection is coming from an organization that does work that is close to your heart. But if your goal is just to get a job in the sector and gain some much-needed experience (and a paycheck), then don’t be afraid of opportunity when it comes knocking—even if it isn’t exactly what you had in mind.

Nonprofit jobs can help you learn, grow, develop relationships, and make a difference in the world. There are so many reasons to work in this amazing sector filled with organizations that make the world a better place, and with the right attitude and drive, there is no reason why you can't do it too!