The Non-Profit Job Search

So, you want a meaningful, socially responsible job…

Front line jobs in nonprofits include positions such as counselor, social worker, therapist, educator, health service provider, researcher, disaster relief specialist, crisis interventionist, and so on.

Behind-the-scenes jobs might include fund raising, accounting, public relations, management, project coordination or general office support. These behind-the-scene jobs provide the most employment opportunities for individuals who do not possess the necessary background (yet!) for a front-line position. They help new grads gain entry into an organization so that they can develop their skills, gain experience, clarify their career goals, network, and prove that they are creative and productive employees. And since nonprofits most often hire from within, starting out in a behind-the-scenes job is a great way to get your foot in the door and prove yourself.

Networking is a powerful tool…

Entry into the world of nonprofits often comes through someone you know—friends of family, family of friends, people with whom you have done volunteer work, internship supervisors, professors, alumni, fellow students, etc. Spread the word through your network of contacts that you are looking for work in the nonprofit sector. And never underestimate the value of relationships you have made while doing volunteer service. These contacts have seen your good work first hand—they have seen how well you:

· Plan and organize events

· Recruit and lead your fellow volunteers

· Relate to people in the community

· Work on a team

· Design and produce newsletters or flyers

The contacts you have made while volunteering can help you broadcast goals plus can serve as excellent references.

The value of internships as a job search tool...

Since many nonprofits prefer to hire people who are already working for them in some capacity, doing an internship is another excellent way to be hired by the nonprofit of your choice. Realize, though, that internships are often unpaid, or are very low pay, while the competition for paid internships is very stiff. While doing the internship you may need to have a “survival job” on the side to help pay bills. Internships also serve as an opportunity for you to become more aware of your own gifts and more aware of the different kinds of work available within the nonprofit world.

The Internet is a gift...

The Internet is another good nonprofit job search tool since most nonprofits have webpages or post their openings on sites such as:

http://www.idealist.org

http://www.opportunitynocs.org

http://www.nonprofitjobs.org

http://www.nonprofitcareer.com

http://www.nonprofits.org

http://www.essential.org/goodworks/

http://www.pj.org

http://philanthropy.com

http://www.guidestar.org

Http://www.afsc.org

http://www.americorps.org

While the Internet as a research tool is wonderful, the Internet as a contact tool is incredible! You can save yourself a lot of money and time by e-mailing organizations to inquire about possible jobs, rather than calling them or snail-mailing letters of inquiry to them.

Other job posting resources…

Local newspapers and periodicals are other good places for finding job openings. Career Development Center subscribes to postings such as:

Human Services and Liberal Arts Careers (weekly)

Current Jobs for Liberal Arts Graduates

Opportunity NOCS

AVISO (museums)

ArtSearch (fine, performing arts)

You can find these postings in our black Job Vacancies binders along with other individual job postings (look in Human Services, General, Opportunity NOCS, and General binders).

Some things to remember when looking for a job in a nonprofit…

· Only 20-25% of jobs are ever advertised, and those that are might only be advertised in one place—the local paper. That means that if you only look for advertised positions you will miss out on a huge portion of what is really available! Since that is the case, you must look beyond the obvious to identify organizations with which you would like to work, and then contact them directly—or check out their website—to learn about possible openings.

· Check and re-check resources often. New jobs are added to internet databases and our job binders daily.

· Always follow up on every lead. Don’t make assumptions about an organization until you have researched it.

· Don’t sell yourself short. Job postings list the requirements for the “perfect candidate,” but the reality is that those who are in charge of hiring realize that they may never find the perfect match. For example, if a posting lists a requirement such as “Two years of experience,” and you are a soon-to-be grad and have completed one or more semester long internships, plus have done volunteer service, you should still apply for the job. You might actually be the most qualified person to respond to the posting!

Books in the Career Development Center that might be useful…

Careers for Caring People & Other Sensitive Types

Great Jobs for Sociology Majors

Careers for Good Samaritans & Other Humanitarian Types

A Guide to Careers in Community Development

Careers in Social Work

Choices - Careers in Social Work

America's Top Medical, Education, and Human Services Jobs

Great Jobs for Psychology Majors

Career Paths in Psychology

The Psychology Major: Career Options and Strategies for Success

Profitable Careers in Nonprofit

100 Best Nonprofits to Work For

Volunteer America

Jobs and Careers with Nonprofit Organizations

Americorps: Service Your Country and Pay for College

National Directory of Private Social Agencies

Directory of Quaker Volunteer Service, Training, Witness & Internships

Quaker Information Center Directory