Back in September, I wrote the post, “Is Switching To the Nonprofit Sector the Right Choice For You?” It generated many comments – all saying it is worth making the switch.
Since then, through my work as a recruiter, I’ve spoken with many seeking to switch into the nonprofit sector. Some have successfully managed their searches and have found new positions, and others are still on their journeys. All, though, have already enjoyed a high level of accomplishment in their professional lives.
For some of those still searching, the search has been and will continue to be a struggle mostly because they haven’t “searched” their souls deep enough. As I noted in my original post, switching is not easy, and it needs to be planned out. The candidates whom I’ve met have all given close scrutiny to their skills to see to where and how they can transfer them to the nonprofit sector. For instance, an advertising sales executive took the initiative to reach out and discuss specifics about how his sales and marketing experience could benefit the nonprofit in which he was interested. He also knew to apply to a nonprofit that was closely aligned with his personal interests. This made a big difference; had he gone into the interview and was not genuinely passionate about the organization’s mission, I doubt the board would have taken the chance. And, guess what? He got the job. Lessons Learned: Get your ideas in order; know how you can use your skills, and research organizations that fit with your personal experience and interests.
Your experience and interests certainly take a front row consideration when deciding how and to where you might change jobs. Another big consideration is making sure you have done plenty of research to understand the sector itself — an how much it pays. Pay is often, but not always, the biggest hurdle career changers need to get over. One candidate with whom I worked had strong marketing experience that could be transferred to a number of organizations. She had a great career in marketing and specific experience in cause-related marketing with very well known companies. But, her salary requirement was about $20,000 higher than the market would pay. That was the first problem. The second problem was that she really didn’t understand the difference between a nonprofit and a foundation which lead to my concern that if I sent her in to interview with a client, she wasn’t going to be able to convey a sincere interest in the nonprofit sector given her lack of understanding of its basis. You may be passionate about the cause, but you also have to commit to the sector. Between a lack of knowledge and her high salary requirement, it added up that she would not be a good fit for the opening. Lesson Learned: Really do your research. Then do some more. Making the switch to the nonprofit sector will be a major change in both your personal and professional life, so take time to learn as many specifics about nonprofits as you can.
Once you have scrutinized the sector, your professional desires and the details ultimately affecting your decision to switch, it’s time to take the plunge, and start the process to switch. Such an undertaking is not for the faint of heart, and to that, I offer an observation I’ve made of job seekers (which also goes for most situations in life): Persistence pays off. This is illustrated by a former financial services executive who has decided to switch to the nonprofit sector. With financial services on the downswing, he has made the commitment to find a role in philanthropy. To that end, he is taking his research and networking seriously. He meets with as many people as he can, and he is extremely humble in his approach. He has the background to easily go into networking interviews all puffed up, but he knows he has things to learn. He asks everyone with whom he meets what literature should he read, to whom else he should speak, and he follows up with everyone to whom he reaches out. He is determined in every aspect of this process! And, not only that, he has a positive attitude. Not one discouraging word comes out of him. To tide things over while he works to make the switch, he took a job that allows him to work at off times so he can effectively network. I have no doubt he will find a job. Lesson Learned: Stay positive; follow up, and don’t think you know everything.
Most of the feedback I received from real life switchers from my previous post focused on how working for a nonprofit is relationship driven. To quote one of the comments, the “major difference is that in a non profit your success is driven by your people skills, where in for profit your success has a more technical focus.” Others focused on how it was more important for them to make a contribution to their community than to have a bigger pay check. One commented that after all is taken into consideration (taxes, etc.), it would take a really large pay cut to force you to change your standard of living, and that “… doing what you love, even for considerably less money, is PRICELESS!” I couldn’t have said it better!
Carmel Napolitano is a New York City based independent executive search consultant for the philanthropic, nonprofit, and public sectors. With over 20 years of experience, Carmel started her career in higher education fundraising, She has an exceptional track record of placing senior staff at local, regional, national, and global organizations. For more information take a look at her website, www.cgnassociates.wordpress.com or email her at cgnexecsearch@gmail.com.
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Carmel, you bring up a great point; many switchers have not searched their soul deep enough before starting their nonprofit job search. The market is tough out there, more so now with government making heavy cuts in grant funding, which often results in hiring freezes and/or pay cuts. It’s quite easy to become excited about the potential that lay ahead of them and because of this, they may fall victim to the allure of a job offer that matches their skills and offers a decent paycheck, without taking into consideration whether or not their mission is completely in line with their own. Although the nonprofit sector revolves around relationships, switchers should also be aware that this may not be true in larger organizations, where it may operate and feel closer to corporate culture. The former financial services executive you mention is doing the right thing by taking his time to do his research and network. He’s smart to make the best use of his time to gain further experience; when the time is right, it will be rewarding in so many ways!