A wavering economy, nonstop government shakeups, and layoffs in the government and private sectors are all tightening the nonprofit job market. More people are going after fewer jobs. In response, you need to be creative and patient and supercharge your cover letter and résumé.
And even if you’re happy in your current role, says Katie Donovan, a career and pay equity consultant, “there’s no such thing as a stable job. But you are still in charge of your career.”
Analyze your skills
“Be creative in what you think you can do,” says Donovan. For example, “building relationships” could apply to customer relations, alumni relations, or stakeholder relations. “Ask where else relationship-building is important. It might be investing at a for-profit. It might be board-of-director support,” she points out.
If you can handle 70 percent of the tasks, apply.
“If you can handle 70 percent of the tasks, apply,” says Hakimu Davidson at Impact Search Advisors by Nonprofit HR.
Rethink titles
Titles change. Over 15 years, Davidson says his job has been called recruiter, talent acquisition specialist, executive search consultant, and now senior consultant. Plus, organizations use different titles, and some get creative, such as using “happiness officer” for “customer support.” A LinkedIn search can bring up alternates, as can staying active in your field’s professional associations.
Find connections
On the plus side for this year, events where you can meet people in person — conferences, job fairs, professional organization meetings — are back to nearly pre-pandemic levels. When there’s a chance to let someone put your face to your name, take it.
Before you apply, find any connection. It can be your cousin’s dogwalker.
“Before you apply, find any connection,” urges Donovan. “It can be your cousin’s dogwalker.” Don’t forget that LinkedIn shows connections.
“Don’t feel like you’re begging for a favor,” she adds. “Say, ‘If a referral bonus is a potential, I’d be happy to let you submit my résumé.’” Applying this way bumps you much higher — and can net the employee a tidy sum.
Donovan recommends calling to confirm your application arrived, “even if the ad says ‘no calls.’” It means that an actual person is looking at your résumé, however briefly.
Spread the word
Most jobs are never advertised, and most interviews go to people with a connection to the organization. Develop your professional community by routinely going out for coffee or lunch with others in the field to chat about work, Donovan says. That positions you to hear about openings.
Davidson urges you to tell everyone — including online — when you’re looking for another job. You never know where someone else has connections.
Use technology wisely
Ask an AI tool such as ChatGPT to find jobs posted within a specific time that have your degree and the skills you want to use as requirements, Donovan says.
Try out an app that analyzes the job description against your résumé, Davidson suggests. Jobscan and SkillSyncer are two of many available.
Set alerts on LinkedIn, Indeed, Candid, and other job boards. Check in the morning for updates, Davidson says, and apply as quickly as possible. But take the time to proofread. He has received many letters addressed to the wrong company.
ChatGPT is also good for tracking down people, Donovan says. “Rather than asking who is the HR representative, ask for the management/director/recruiter for job XYZ. It will often come back with the name, title, and contact information.”
Sell yourself in your cover letter
What you put in your cover letter, Davidson says, can determine whether you get a call — or don’t. Focus on accomplishments. “What has changed? Improved? Been fixed?” he says.
What you put in your cover letter can decide whether you get a call — or don’t.
An AI tool such as Grammarly or Rytr is OK for a first draft of your cover letter if facing a blank screen freezes you up. You’ll get boring language and a rehash of your résumé, though, so be sure to edit it. Think: “How would I tell a friend about something I handled really well at work?” A cover letter can show your personality, which a résumé doesn’t.
Showcase numbers
Put data in your résumé. Most recruiters aren’t experts in the work associated with a role. Data helps them understand the size and scale of your work, such as millions spent, number of families helped, or number of people assisted.
“People think they should save that information for an interview,” Davidson says, but it can make your résumé stand out. “Put in as many numbers as you can.”
Persist
If you’re looking for a job, make a job of it, advises Davidson. That is, treat securing a new position like a regular job itself: Set aside time for it, plan steps, follow through, and celebrate accomplishments along the way.
Visit the Chronicle’s careers page to find job openings at nonprofits and foundations.
