The Top 10 Tips For Finding A Nonprofit Job

Looking for a nonprofit job? You're not alone, unfortunately, which means you will have your work cut out for you.

Just because it's hard doesn't mean it's impossible, however. The NonProfit Times has a variety of resources to help job seekers, including our career center, Jobs blog, and our weekly Jobs eNewsletter. All of these are deisgned to make finding a job easier, but they aren't the only answers.

Tom Friel, the retired chairman and chief executive officer of Heidrick & Struggles International, recently spoke to Bridgestar, an initiative of the Bridgespan Group, and offered up his top 10 tips for finding a nonprofit job:

• Do a thorough and honest assessment of your motivations, skills and capabilities, and record them.
• Decide very specifically what you want to do and make sure your qualifications match the job requirements. 
• Learn who the key players are at your target organizations and find a way to get in front of them. 
• Consider an interim path to your goal if necessary, such as consulting, temporary assignments, internships or volunteering. 
• Use your personal network smartly and efficiently. It is larger than you think. 
• Recognize that most people will want to help you, but they won't do your homework for you. 
• Get connected with recruiters and other intermediaries who are specifically involved in the searches that fit your capabilities and objectives. 
• When preparing for a meeting, think about the needs of the person with whom you're meeting. Over time. if you help your contacts, they will help you. 
• When given an interview, prepare thoroughly and ask thoughtful questions. 
• When your job search is completed, thank the people who helped you.