How to land a nonprofit job

When I was the lead organizer of Philly's Nonprofit Nerds group, the question I got asked the most was: "How do I get a job in the nonprofit sector?" 

Here are the strategies that have served me well in my own career (and have helped current and aspiring nonprofit workers land jobs):

1) Make a list of the causes you care about.

When you're looking for your first nonprofit job, it saves time to make a list of the causes that are most near and dear to your heart. Think about organizations you've donated your hard-earned money to, or jot down a list of the people you admire and projects of not-for-profit companies that really resonate with you. See if those organizations are hiring, and if not, aim for jobs at similar companies that can get you closer to working for your top tier choices.

If you're not sure what you're passionate about, but you know that you definitely want to make a career out of serving the greater good, that's totally valid, too. One question I've used when job hunting is: "Will I be happy working at this company for two to three years?" If the answer is no, keep looking.

2) Create a website and social media profiles tailored to the jobs you want.

If a hiring manager was looking for someone with your skillset and passion for nonprofits, would they be able to find you through a keyword search on DuckDuckGo or Google? If the answer is no, make a website and professional social media profiles on LinkedIn and Facebook so employers can easily find and connect with you. You may also want to create profiles on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, depending on what kind of role you want and where hiring managers are looking for job candidates.

I also encourage job seekers like you to study the listings of your dream jobs, and make sure that the keywords and phrases in those listings appear on your website and in your profiles. If you've written articles or op-eds about the field you want to work in, if you've been recognized for extraordinary volunteer service, or if you made an appearance on a podcast, organize those leadership-building materials in one place. Always look for ways to make it easier for a prospective employer to envision you in the job...and the positive press you would bring to their organization.

3) Build relationships with people whose work you admire and/or who work for companies you'd like to work for someday.

I say "build relationships" here because your aim is not to land a job, but to build mutually-beneficial connections with people who can vouch for you as you look for a job. How many times have you purchased something or tried a new service because someone you trusted recommended it to you? Well, it's the same idea with nonprofit networking. Nonprofits want to hire job candidates with good word-of-mouth reviews. 

To get started, look for people on LinkedIn who are doing the mission-driven work you'd like to be doing. Reach out, let them know you admire their work, you'd like to do similar work, and ask if they would be up for doing a 15-minute informational interview to swap notes. If they say yes, here's my informational interview steps for success: 

• Write your questions in advance, try to keep it to three maximum.
• Let your interviewee do most of the talking. This is your time to practice active listening.
• Respect the 15-minute time commitment! Nine times out of ten, if you acknowledge that your time is almost up, the person on the other end of the call will give you an extra minute or two more to wrap things up. 
• As you finish the call, ask how you can help them. For example, if your interviewee mentions an upcoming fundraising event their organization is planning, let them know about a press contact you know well who would be interested in covering it and offer to connect them. If you help your interviewee, they are more likely to help you in the form of a job opening tip or a friendly referral. 

(Note - the only exception when it comes to requesting an informational interview would be folks who are self-employed as consultants or who run a small business that works exclusively with nonprofits. If you want to "pick their brain," always request a paid consultation.)

4) Make a boilerplate resume and cover letter, then tailor them specifically to the job you're applying for. 

Have a resume document that lists your directly-related professional experience, notable achievements, and the month and year you worked in those roles. If you have some impressive volunteer leadership experience under your belt, make sure you have a section that lists that. Don't forget to mention the software and equipment you are well-versed in, too! 

Once you have a template for your resume and cover letter (hint: always include a cover letter, that's your written elevator pitch), look at the job description, especially at the requirements and essential duties. Make sure the key words and phrases in those areas appear throughout your resume and cover letter. If you possess anything under the "Preferred Experience" in the job listing, make sure you emphasize that as well. 

Pro tip - always apply for the job, even if you're only partially qualified. No one expects to hire a unicorn, and during the course of the hiring process, you may reveal additional expertise and skills that the hiring managers didn't know they needed until you described them in your cover letter or resume. 

5) Be authentic and honest during the interview process. 

Job interviews are a lot like going on a date - now that you've impressed one another on the phone or via your online profile, it's time to see if you have chemistry. Speak to your accomplishments, but also be honest about what you're looking for in your next job. Interview the interviewer. Ask the hiring manager or team about what the day-to-day schedule is like in your role, what qualities they are looking for in their ideal candidate, and what they are doing as an organization to make sure their leadership team and staff reflects the demographics of the population they are serving. Ask curveball questions, like why the person whose job you're interviewing for is no longer in it, and my personal fav - "Do you have any concerns about my candidacy?" If they do, thank them for sharing those concerns, and address each one so that your interviewer is reassured. 

Lastly, advocate for what you are worth when it comes to compensation during the interview process. Always make a counter-offer when it comes to your salary. If the salary is too low and there's no wiggle room, walk away. If the nonprofit organization has a salary band or job grade structure, try to get in at the highest level you can. 

Every person brings something to an organization that no one else can, and you deserve to be compensated well for the awesomeness you bring, especially in the nonprofit world.

Other things to consider

Applying for jobs and not getting any interviews? Give volunteering a try! I struggled to find a long-term job after my Peace Corps service came to an end in 2011, so I volunteered for two nonprofit organizations serving communities across the continent of Africa. Those experiences built upon my expertise as a nonprofit communications leader, and the connections I made helped me land future jobs and consulting gigs. 

If you're one of the many people who lost their nonprofit job as a result of the pandemic, you are not alone, and your skills are needed. Take this time to share your expertise and invest in yourself. Start a blog or write articles on LinkedIn. Take a class, or offer one of your own! Develop new self-care routines that you can bring to your next job role. Look for questions related to your line of work/skills on LinkedIn, in Facebook groups, Reddit, or other social media platforms, and share your advice like you would if a dear friend was asking you directly (hint: be humble, and avoid phrases like "you should"). Your advice could make a difference in someone's life, and you never know who may see it, from hiring managers to executive directors. 

Good luck, enjoy the process, and always ask for what you're worth!

Want more tips for nonprofit job hunting and links to new job opportunities in the Philadelphia area? Join the Nonprofit Nerds Philly community on Facebook.