In Nonprofit Hiring Trends and Tactics, practice leader Molly Brennan offers a range of ideas, practical tips, and insights that will help you navigate and understand the nonprofit hiring landscape as a candidate, hiring manager, or member of a board of directors.
As an executive recruiter who is hired by nonprofits to conduct executive searches, I want to start by validating what you are probably thinking: It is tough out there. There is no doubt that this is a challenging market for job seekers. Federal budget cuts and layoffs—and the resulting nonprofit layoffs layoffs—have created a steady flow of very talented professionals who may have found themselves unexpectedly out of a job for the first time in their careers.
It’s a different market than it was even six months ago, and for experienced leaders…it can be daunting.
This flow of candidates is bumping up against a dam of uncertainty and no small degree of inertia caused by the Trump administration’s moves. Nonprofit leaders aren’t changing jobs because they are worried about leaving their organizations during a difficult time or they are worried about making a move to an organization that may seem too dependent on federal funding or are simply feeling like any move in this market is too risky.
It’s a different market than it was even six months ago, and for experienced leaders who have not had to go through the process of seeking, applying for, and landing a new role in a long time, it can be daunting.
In addition to the strategic and tactical challenges a job search always poses, many people I’ve talked to recently are also navigating serious emotional challenges related to being on the job market at a time in which much of the nonprofit sector is facing unprecedented threats. While some people are reeling from an unexpected and shockingly sudden release from a career they’ve built for decades, others mourn the threatened loss of entire slices of our sector, as we’ve seen with global development. And many simply feel unequipped to navigate a market that seems crowded with exceptionally talented people, completely dependent on who you know, and managed by AI-enhanced gatekeepers.
But it’s not all bad news. There are still opportunities emerging. Consider that for every five leaders who decide they can’t leave their organization in such a vulnerable moment, there are a few who decide that the right thing to do is step aside and let a new leader take the reins.
Tips for Landing the Job You Want
Many simply feel unequipped to navigate a market that seems crowded with exceptionally talented people.
Despite the tumult in our sector, there are concrete, practical steps you can take to improve your chances of landing where you want to be and feel more confident, resilient, and focused during your job search. Below are some tips to consider when applying for a new job in the nonprofit sector:
- Start with your story.
Before you reach out to contacts or even apply for a single job, take the time to nail down the three to four sentence synopsis of your strengths and skills, key accomplishments, and where you are headed.
This is particularly critical if you’re considering switching sectors, such as moving from government to the nonprofit or private sector. You may eventually have a few versions of this story depending on who you are talking to, but start with the core messaging that tells anyone, in a simple, easy-to-follow manner, what you’re good at, what you’ve accomplished, and how you want to put all of that together in your next role.
I am constantly surprised by how many extraordinary leaders aren’t able to do this and subsequently put themselves at risk of not effectively demonstrating why they should be considered for an opportunity or networking conversation. Consider starting with the following formula, filling in the blanks, and adding more detail afterward: “I bring x years of experience in y industry, and I led teams of x size to achieve y goals/impact. I’m looking to take my skills in xyz to xyz role/industry.”
- Review your online presence.
One of the first things a hiring manager, recruiter, or networking contact is going to do is Google you, so you need to know what they will see. Are your social media accounts public or private? If they are public, are they showing a side of you that you want a future colleague or employer to see? Is your LinkedIn up to date? If not, make sure it is and is serving as an online resume of sorts, with a clear record of your career progression, volunteer work, and professional affiliations. Expand your LinkedIn presence by posting articles and posts you find interesting and commenting on others.
- Strategically expand your network.
Networks are critical for job searches. Connecting with people that you know, telling them your story in a way that helps them quickly understand your strengths and what you’re seeking, and staying in touch almost always opens doors.
But it’s important to network strategically—think quality over quantity—and to be aware of how stretched most people are right now. Leaders are being bombarded by requests for informational calls and advice. Be judicious about taking people’s time and always look for ways to reciprocate.
Above all, be patient. A job search in today’s market is going to feel different than it might have in the past.
It’s most effective to network once you have a sense of what you’re looking for so you can carefully identify the right people and ensure the conversation is productive. If you’re not quite sure what you’re looking for, spend the time to refine that before leveraging your network or be clear that you’re in an exploratory phase with networking contacts so they can prepare appropriately.
Maintaining Momentum
On the less pragmatic, but equally important side of the job search coin is maintaining a positive mindset. There is so much that feels out of control right now. You may need to remind yourself about what is in your control and refocus yourself there. This includes your actions, thoughts, decisions, and self-talk.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the work of job searching, break your process down into bite-sized steps. Work on your story today and run it by a friend or colleague. Reach out to two people in your network tomorrow. Spend 30 minutes improving your LinkedIn headline the next day.
Above all, be patient. A job search in today’s market is going to feel different than it might have in the past. But if you develop and follow a thoughtful strategy, you will set yourself up for unexpected connections and opportunities.
