By Karen Alphonse, Senior Executive Coach, ExecSearches.com

A cross-sector move requires rebranding and creativity. The way you have thought about your most recent position has been tied to that role and specific expectations. To break out of that cycle, you will need to develop positive ways of describing your past contributions to your teams, a captivating vision of how you can contribute to the not-for-profit sector and realistic ideas about the kinds of organizations that can use your skills best. You can and will transition successfully when you take on the task of relaunching your career.

1. Evaluate Your Recent Roles
Start by examining your three most recent roles. Name the projects and assignments that showed your skills best. By evaluating these successes, you can pinpoint the skills and strengths that were instrumental. In addition to your core competencies in finance, management, marketing, technology, human resources, notice any outstanding organizational, interdepartmental or outreach skills that do not necessarily come with your core skillset. Translate these skills in a manner that aligns with the needs and values of the not-for-profit sector that interests you.

2. Include Volunteer, Special Projects and Community Work
Consider any volunteer work, community involvement, boards or special projects that have kept your interest. Find the areas where you made significant contributions and the skills you utilized. You may be a finance expert who conducted a successful outreach campaign. You may be a marketing expert who helped to draft a winning sustainable plan. Whatever combination of skills you have, take care to describe them as they occur, not in the cookie-cutter way that many expect. Many of these skills will draw on abilities that go well beyond your credentials, formal training or professional roles.  This exercise will help build a comprehensive skill set that proves your full ability to contribute to a not-for-profit.

3. List Notable Skills
Combine the skills found from your professional roles with those from your volunteer and community work. Create a list of your five most notable skills. For each skill, generate two or three descriptions that highlight your ability and adaptability. Tailor each set of descriptions to a particular industry or NFP organization.

4. Get to Know Organizations of Interest
Study the LinkedIn profiles of organizations and leaders in the not-for-profit sector that appeal to you. Take note of the phrases and terminology they use to describe their skills and experiences. Speak or communicate with professionals who already work where you want to be. Find out what they value and how they describe their organization and the critical work that will be needed to keep things running well. Use these insights as a template to rebrand your own skills and make them relevant to the not-for-profit organizations you have targeted.

5. Align with Your Passions and with Your Dream Job
What captures your imagination and gives you energy? Which tasks literally “set you on fire?”  As you plan for your next official position, think carefully about what you love doing. Focus on that. Make certain that you mention skills and abilities that relate to your passions and interests. This will ring true in your interviews and will make your materials authentic.

Work backwards from your vision of an ideal not-for-profit position. Incorporate your Dream Job in the way you describe your skills and experiences. Tailor your professional narrative to position yourself as an ideal candidate for your desired role. At the back of your mind, envision yourself getting and excelling in your Dream Job.

6. Update Professional Profiles
Revise your resume, LinkedIn profile, and any other professional profiles you keep on social media. Ensure that they reflect your newly crafted skill set and professional goals. This will help you present a cohesive and targeted image to potential not-for-profit employers. Also, keep an eye out for postings, notices and articles that show that hiring/expansion is occurring.

Network Across Sectors
This includes getting word of mouth referrals and attending events that involve the not-for-profit organizations you admire most. Circulating provides an outlet for testing out new ways of describing yourself, building new connections and practicing your one-minute “spiel.”  Although no one networking event is guaranteed to provide you with a particular opportunity, the process itself gets you ready to perform well on interviews and to present yourself as the Dream Job perfect hire.

Ready to transition to nonprofit work? Our expert resume, LinkedIn profile, and career coaching services will help you reframe your experience for mission, driven organizations. Contact us today to start your meaningful career transition.