Volunteer to Find a Career...And More!

I’m often asked from emerging leaders what they can do to find work in the nonprofit sector. Every day available nonprofit positions seem more and more competitive, leaving lots of questions from individuals navigating their way through it all. Here are some tips……

VOLUNTEER!

The best way I’ve found positions at organizations I loved was to volunteer first. It’s a great strategy because it provides the volunteer with an opportunity to “try on” the organization, and the organization to do the same with the volunteer, without all the messy paperwork.

Find an organization that you are passionate about and be proactive in approaching that nonprofit about an opportunity to volunteer. Ask them about their needs and see if you can match your skills, passion, and interests with those needs. For example, are you familiar with social media and does the nonprofit need to set up a Facebook Cause or Page? Maybe this is something that you can help manage for them, and it will help you learn more about the organization.

While it is great to offer your time, also be sure that the organization has the capacity to lead volunteers. Volunteer management is a critical skill that nonprofits rely on, but that doesn’t mean that they all manage volunteers well. At one point, I volunteered for an organization coordinating other volunteers. Be creative since you never know what will come along.

In at least half the organization I’ve worked for, I started out volunteering for them or for a collaborating organization. By being in theses nonprofit communities I heard about job opportunities before they went across the wires publicly. I built relationships and allowed others to see what I was capable of doing. If I would do that much work for free, imagine what I could accomplish with a paycheck and an organizational structure and team behind me!

NETWORK

Join your local networks, including a nonprofit association or the local chapter of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network. Typically, these organizations have listservs, LinkedIn Groups or more that post jobs and other opportunities on a regular basis. Form a relationship with these networks by attending events and introducing yourself.

Networking can feel like a skill in and of itself sometimes, but take the time to be engaging and interested in what is happening in your local nonprofit community. Be on the lookout for free events, where you have the opportunity to meet nonprofit leaders that can help you connect to your passions.

And always have some kind of business card (there are free services out there) to hand to new contacts. Follow up with anyone you meet the next day and thank them for taking the time to speak with you and share your knowledge and interests, and offer up an additional time to meet in person.

JOB BOARDS

Be sure to sign up for job boards to see postings of job openings as well as volunteer opportunities. YNPN San Diego has a great list of job boards for nonprofit positions. By signing up for and checking these job boards you can get an idea of the opportunities in your area and nationally. Idealist.org is a favorite among emerging leaders; they post both job and volunteer opportunities.

Look to different sites that allow you to post your résumé, such as Idealist.org. If you are not already on LinkedIn, create an account and nurture it. Take time to update all your information – your résumé, groups and affiliations and so on. Join groups that are related to an area of interest or that may help you to network online. Follow up on interesting posts and stay active. Reference your LinkedIn account on your email and business card.

COACHING

Finding a mentor or a coach in someone who has been involved in the local nonprofit community is always a good idea. It will help you connect to some seasoned and established leaders. Be sure to be clear about your needs when looking for a mentor or coach. Having a coach – either formal or informal – will help both you and the coach; these relationships always turn out to be mutually beneficial.

You never know where you might find a peer mentor or coach…it could be through a networking event or online. Maybe it is someone who is younger than you, but has had more experience and connections in the nonprofit community. Be sure not to make assumptions as you never know where the next opportunity will show up.

MOVING FORWARD

Taking one, two, or three of the recommended steps listed above is how I have become involved with so many nonprofits and a true believer in the social sector. Be careful what you wish for though…your success and connections might be more than you ever expected!