By: Lori McMullin, APR, Director of Business Operations & Communications
Center for Business Excellence
In today’s tight job market, many former private-sector, for–profit employees may want to consider dipping their toes in the non-profit “pond.” Those of us who have worked in the non-profit world for any length of time know there is a real network among the varying local community agencies.
Executive directors and staff alike talk with frequency in an industry that demands collaboration at its finest to make every precious dollar stretch as far as it can. Although many industries are working with fewer resources and non-profit organizations seem to be hit the hardest and leaned on the most, some paid positions must continue to be filled.
As a former executive director of a local agency, I can tell you I received my best job candidate referrals from my network of colleagues (to include my friends at CBE, of course)! If I found a candidate with both for-profit and non-profit experience, I was very eager to get them in front of me to interview. The combination of private business experience with the understanding of how the non-profit world operates is phenomenal.
The bottom line is this. If you are out of work, seriously consider volunteering at a local non-profit organization. It very well may lead to a job offer at the agency or another one. Yes, the salary will most likely not be what you are accustomed to, but don’t box yourself in.
Who knows? Today, you may be a volunteer coordinator and two years from now, you may be the executive director. To quote one of my favorite songs, “Take your passion and make it happen!”
Check out this link for more tips:
http://www.keppiecareers.com/2010/04/06/altruistic-tuesdays-can-volunteering-win-you-a-job/
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