What's it like looking for a job in a non-profit and working in a non-profit?

For those outside the nonprofit sector, a nonprofit organization may look like any other business, distinguished by a mission to do some good in the world and providing a respite from the pressures of for-profit work. In reality, nonprofits inhabit a parallel business universe, one with its own rules, rewards and frustrations.

The differences are especially important for someone in a job search moving from a for-profit organization, but anyone considering nonprofit opportunities should understand what sets them apart. A savvy career counselor and professional resume writer will have some experience at helping navigate these waters.

To state the obvious, the primary distinction is the organization's focus on doing something for the greater good rather than on becoming as profitable as possible. If you are motivated by a cause and want to contribute to a solution, nonprofit work can indeed be meaningful and fulfilling.

In addition, nonprofits are sometimes seen as more relaxed, as places to restore balance and regain some of your life outside work. True, the pace may be somewhat slower, but that comes at the expense of being able to make decisions and take action quickly. Gaining consensus and negotiating layers of administration can be frustrating in their own right and you may not feel the decrease in pressure when faced with decisions that directly affect lives in fundamental ways.

Financial Reality

Nonprofits are almost never flush with cash. Rates of pay are typically below those offered for comparable work and responsibility in the for-profit sector. In fact, the nonprofit sector is chronically stressed by underfunding. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the situation is worsened by the failure of funding sources to account for very real indirect costs like overhead and administration. As a result, working for a nonprofit means devoting a great deal of energy to balancing available funding with the sheer cost of the organization's day-to-day survival, and simultaneously working to accomplish the organization's mission. This precarious state of affairs is a fact of life for nonprofits.

Office politics are a given in any organization and they can be just as complicated in the nonprofit environment, where several constituencies come into play. This calls for another balancing act among the competing agendas of staff, administration, Board of Directors, donors, government agencies and, of course, the population the organization is trying to serve. At a nonprofit, the decision-making process can be slower and more emotional than in the for-profit world.

As a consequence of financial constraints and the need to manage those diverse interests, nonprofit work requires both flexibility and versatility. A nonprofit manager may wear many hats and have little opportunity to delegate. Limited staff makes for more hands-on work. This may not be the most congenial atmosphere for someone accustomed to plentiful support staff and a well-defined role, but it may be perfect for someone with a more entrepreneurial approach.

At the same time, this enthusiastic spirit must coexist with very real constraints imposed on nonprofits by the outside world. Nonprofit operations are subject to scrutiny beyond that imposed on other businesses. Their books are open, if only as a condition of maintaining tax exemptions, and a variety of agencies have a say in how a nonprofit must be run. That oversight extends to limitations on how money can be raised and spent, and nonprofit work, however entrepreneurial, requires an ability to thrive in a complicated regulatory structure.

Happily, nonprofits, unlike most for-profit companies, provide a way to experience things from the inside. Almost all nonprofits are hungry for volunteers willing to get involved. Roles range from clerical work, support staff and fundraising to direct service and, for those with appropriate talents or expertise, service on the organization's Board of Directors. Working in any of these roles can help determine whether the real-world work of a nonprofit is for you. If all goes well, volunteering is also a viable path to actual employment.

In the end, even the strongest sense of mission may not be enough to make non-profit work the right choice for you. However, if that mission is combined with realistic expectations, the non-profit world is a place to find meaning in a career.

Tips for a Nonprofit Job Search

If you have made the decision to look for a job with a nonprofit, whether as part of a broader job search that includes for-profit companies or because you have set your sights specifically on non-profit opportunities, there are many ways to make that search successful, but two pieces of advice stand out.

First, align your goals with a cause that you already care about. That alone puts you a step ahead, because you probably know something about the issues involved and the organizations trying to address those issues. Instead of starting from scratch, you have already taken the first step toward narrowing the field. It also puts you in position to make a more natural and convincing case for your candidacy and to communicate a genuine sense of mission beyond a mission to simply get hired.

Second, volunteer while you are looking for a job. On the one hand, volunteering provides a golden opportunity to experience nonprofit life first-hand. On the other, successful volunteering can lead to paid employment or, at the very least, add a meaningful experience to your resume.

Volunteer opportunities can be found online, either by going to a specific organization's site or by using one of the many sites that connect volunteers with nonprofits, including VolunteerMatch (www.volunteermatch.org), SmartVolunteer (www.smartvolunteer.org) and Volunteers of America (www.voa.org).

Beyond those two fundamentals, there are many other ways to hone your search strategy and improve your candidacy.

1. Highlight versatility in your resume.

Especially in smaller nonprofits, job roles frequently involve wearing multiple hats, moving between different roles and adding new skills as you go. If prior experience has put you in this kind of situation, it should be a clear point of emphasis.

2. Emphasize your ability to do more with less.

If anything characterizes nonprofits across the board, it is their constant shortage of funds. Nonprofits are always struggling to make ends meet, and you should highlight experience that shows off an ability to flourish in an environment where frugality is key.

3. Set up some informational interviews.

An informational interview is a chance for you to learn more about a particular organization and about nonprofits in general, and people are surprisingly willing to take some time to speak with someone genuinely interested in their work. Whether the interview turns into a job offer or not, it is a chance to market yourself in a situation without the pressure of a job interview and it can provide leads to other opportunities that you might not otherwise know about.

4. Don't forget the government.

Governments, particularly local governments, have many things in common with nonprofits. Towns themselves often need volunteers for a variety of purposes and they are frequently in working relationships with local nonprofits.

5. Consider nonprofit boards.

It may sound like starting at the top, but volunteering on a local nonprofit board can be a useful part of a job search. The benefit to your resume is obvious, but it also provides a wonderful opportunity to network. Every nonprofit has a board and smaller organizations are often looking for volunteers who can contribute everything from basic skills to fundraising help. One online resource worth trying is Boardnet, at www.boardnetusa.org, which operates as a clearinghouse for nonprofits and people interested in serving on a board.

6. Nonprofit jobs are on the web.

There are many sites that focus on nonprofits and that include job postings. The Bridgespan Group is a management consultancy for nonprofits and operates Bridgestar (www.bridgestar.org) as the recruiting arm of its organization. Other options include Jobs for Change (www.jobs.change.org.), Opportunity Knocks (www.opportunityknocks.org) and Idealist (www.idealist.org). For jobs specifically in foundations, consider the Council on Foundations (www.cof.org), which offers very detailed job postings.

7. Don't overlook the obvious.

Nonprofits use the same resources for recruiting that are employed by any organization. Monster.com is hardly non-profit specific, but it includes nonprofit opportunities along with all its other listings. Nonprofits, especially those looking for help in a specific location, also use Craigslist a great deal. Its low cost makes it a natural for the chronically underfunded nonprofit.