Moving to a nonprofit-sector job might just be one of the best career moves you can make, but be sure you’ve done your homework. Working in a nonprofit setting often is attractive to senior-level executives who have led large organizations and want to have a deeper sense of purpose in their career and feel they are making a difference in the world.
In many ways, the transition from a for-profit setting to one that exists for a greater cause can seem like an exciting adventure that is full of new challenges and where strong leadership thrives.
The desire to be a part of something greater than yourself and to make an impact on your community is a noble goal. Many times, executives are interested in leading an organization that focuses on a medical condition or supports families facing a particular challenge after someone close to them experiences problems. The motivation to give back to a cause or a community due to a personal experience is a worthy calling.
It helps to know that working in nonprofit organizations requires a strong blend of internal and external leadership skills. In other words, it helps to be as good at reaching out to the community with fund-raising efforts (external leadership) as you are at persuading teams of volunteers (internal leadership).
You may think leading fund-raising initiatives will be easy compared to the challenges of leading a major corporation, but that’s not necessarily the case. Fund raising is a challenging business and with a tight economy, grant programs are being scrutinized, so the need for a strong personality to gather donations and generate interest in the organization’s goals is at an all-time high.
Here are some things to consider before taking a nonprofit-sector job:
In a corporate-leadership role, the ability to make swift decisions and react quickly is part of the competitive environment and is what keeps businesses moving. In a nonprofit setting decision-making can take longer, and it takes time to get used to the layers in the approval process.
Consider whether you would you enjoy marketing the organization, including the public-relations duties and fund-raising activities needed to accomplish projects and reach goals?
Don’t discount the culture clash that exists between the corporate and nonprofit worlds. It can be challenging, and of all the factors that influence whether a nonprofit-sector job is a good match, culture ranks high on the list.
Are you prepared for a decrease in compensation?
Can you make the transition to a more consensus-driven environment?
Presentation and writing skills are a must in effectively meeting organizational goals and encouraging and motivating donors for support.
The nonprofit sector always is looking for talented leaders who can bring a new perspective to the organization, and that’s good news for those looking to make this transition.
If you are interested in a nonprofit-sector career path, consider serving on the boards of nonprofit organizations and developing a network of friends who can share information with you about the needs and challenges nonprofit organizations face before making a move. That way, you can tap into the hidden job network that produces more information about jobs and organizations and can help support your transition.
The trade-offs you must make when choosing a nonprofit-sector job over one in the corporate world can be worth the effort and financial sacrifice. At the end of the day, knowing the value you brought to a charitable cause is priceless.
Have you worked in a nonprofit setting?
