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Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Professional Transitions from For Profit to Nonprofit:
The Ins and Outs of Sector Changing

By: Michelle Pagano Heck, Senior Consultant, Dewey & Kaye

Have you thought about leaving the business sector to enter the nonprofit job market? Individuals may look to make a career transition in order to find more meaningful work or do something that makes a difference. Or, in today's economy, prolonged unemployment may have a person seeking new professional avenues. While at first blush it may appear that professional experiences and skills from a corporate arena naturally transfer to the nonprofit community, this is not the case. It is not as simple as applying for a position at a foundation or social service agency. Bridging the employment divide between these two sectors includes a strategic job search as well as a challenging personal search. While Dewey & Kaye does not provide a service line to support jobseekers, we have seen successful and unsuccessful transitions and offer up these suggestions for how to approach a job search that may include a sector change.

SELF INVENTORY
It is critical for a jobseeker to have a very clear understanding of what motivates him/her in their professional endeavors.  A few key questions to ask yourself before beginning a search include:

• Why do you want to leave the corporate/business sector for the nonprofit sector?
• Have you had any experience with nonprofits that would indicate that this is a good move for you?
• What are your impressions of the nonprofit sector and are they proven and accurate?
• Nonprofits are as diverse as for profits.  What area excites you? The Environment? Arts? Human Services?

UNDERSTANDING THE CULTURE OF NONPROFITS
There are myths that linger about the nonprofit sector.  Heard these lately?

• The workplace culture is "easier" or "less demanding" in a non profit.
• Everyone that works in a nonprofit is driven only by mission.
• "Those that can't work in a corporate culture, opt out by choosing the nonprofit sector."
• All Incorrect.  Employees of nonprofits are highly skilled, educated, talented and many could have chosen careers in any number of areas.  They have deliberately, not accidently, chosen the nonprofit sector for their professional pursuits.  Nonprofits are highly professionalized work environments and many employees of NPOs work longer, harder hours due to resources restrictions: "Too much work, too few people."  While being passionate about the mission of an organization is paramount, employees are looking for professional growth, fair compensation, a healthy work culture as well as the ability to "make a difference."

In addition to understanding the culture of a nonprofit environment, it is essential that the business of a nonprofit is understood.  While business is driven by the financial bottom line, nonprofits are driven by a "Double Bottom Line."  They need to be financially stable, adapt to constantly fluctuating sources of revenue and constantly evaluate the cost centers of programs that serve their clients and/or constituents.  The "double" is that in addition to keeping the financial bottom line on track, they must be diligent about meeting the bottom line needs of their mission.  

PREPARING FOR A NONPROFIT JOB SEARCH
These are a few things a jobseeker can do to prepare for a sector transition and demonstrate serious commitment to being a part of the nonprofit workforce.

• Identify nonprofit organizations of which you feel an affinity and begin to volunteer
• Seek out Board positions
• Become a donor
• Become educated:
• Carnegie Foundation Library, i.e.: Grant Writing Classes
• On-Line tutorials
• Professional Organizations, i.e. AFP
• Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management

WHAT NONPROFITS EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR IN STAFF

• Flexibility/ adaptability to change
• Working with resource restrictions
• Ability to interface with a Board of Directors
• Analytical and leadership abilities

Sound familiar?  Much the same as our brethren in business

RESUME HINTS
Here is a list that will make your resume easier to interpret for the reader. 

• Include a professional summary
• Chronologically order your work history (Skills based resumes are challenging to decipher)
• Highlight nonprofit experiences on your resume: COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP/VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE.
• Use language that is nonprofit appropriate.  Avoid business and industry jargon.
• Tailor your experience and list of accomplishments to reflect that transferability of your skills
  For example: "Managed sales clients through Contact Management Software, similar to Raiser&39;s Edge, used in fundraising programs."

• Include trainings, professional development courses.
• Follow Cover Letter does and don'ts. Use language that conveys who you are and less what you have done.  Convey your values and motivations.

THE SEARCH AND INTERVIEW

The Search

• Contact organizations in which you have an affinity and/or prior experience as a client, volunteer or donor.  Ask for an informational interview.
• Research organizations of which you can feel passionate about their mission.  Read everything you can about the organization.  Website, www.guidestar.com.
• Review the Board lists for organizations.  Do you know anyone?
• www.deweykaye.com/jobswatch ; www.idealist.org

The Interview

• Be professional.  Wear a suit.
• Know everything about the organization.  Read. Study. Inquire.
• Know why you want the job.  Do not only say: "I just want to make a difference."
• Rehearse how to describe what you have done in the past and how it is applicable to the needs of the organization.
• Come prepared with at least 3 questions, none of which could have been answered by a cursory glance at their website.
• After the interview, write a handwritten thank you note.

 

Michelle Pagano Heck specializes in interim management, executive recruitment, development assessments, planning and strategy for nonprofits and can be reached at 412.434.1335 or michelle.heck@deweykaye.com.

 

Dewey & Kaye