Though it may seem to a candidate who is new to the non-profit sector, or new to professional life in general, that non profit job postings require a large number of specific skills, some of these can be easy to acquire while in a transition period between careers or after finishing school. Once the candidate looks at a large number of possible jobs in the target range, he or she can focus on commonly required skills and look for areas of improvement.
Nonprofit Job Postings and Skills Needed
In some cases, it may be obvious that a candidate does not have a particular skill. It is a waste of time to apply, for example, to jobs that require five years of experience when one is just out of college, or to apply to a job that lists a degree one does not hold as an absolute requirement. Words such as "must" and "required" mean that there is little leeway – unless one can reasonably describe previous experience to fit what is required, or has a very similar educational qualification and can explain in the cover letter why there is a match, the person is under-qualified for that job.
In other cases, however, there is a little more room to work. Often jobs list "preferred" experience or education, or use vague terms to describe the kind of candidate the employer is looking for. In this case, it is helpful to make a list of some of the recurring requirements or preferred skills for jobs that fit into the candidate's basic experience and education profile.
How to Gain Additional Skills Applicable to Non-Profit Sector Jobs
Once the candidate has a list, he or she can then make a list of existing skills that match what employers are looking for. For example, many employers expect candidates to be highly organized – this might be demonstrated through listing a project the candidate completed in a short time frame for a previous job, or an event he or she coordinated as a student leader. Such details can be listed underneath a particular experience on the resume.
The next step is to identify some skills that the candidate does not have, but can easily obtain. For example, many job postings today express an interest in candidates familiar with new social media. These applications are easy to learn alone on the Internet – anyone can get a Twitter, Facebook, Digg, or YouTube account, and nonprofits often use these applications to spread the word about a particular issue or campaign.
Other qualifications might be a little more involved – learning Spanish, for example, or learning to use HTML to design webpages. Still, these are often accessible skills that one can learn using a CD-ROM program or local classes at a community center or university. Volunteer opportunities are also great for getting a handle on the non-profit environment and developing skills such as fundraising, grant writing, or running a team of political campaign volunteers.
When using any of these tips, candidates should be honest and forthright about their experience. Taking a class or volunteering for an organization shows employers that the individual is interested in developing his or her skills in the field and is committed to a career in the non-profit sector. These opportunities can also lead to new contacts and networking leads. A professional resume that highlights a number of applicable skills can go a long way towards finding a new job.
Judith Faucette - Education Judith graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in 2006 with an honors Bachelor of Arts degree in History ...
