What is important to know if you want to find a job in charity
Jen Bokoff, a Candidate for the Foundation Center and GuideStar, is the author of the #WomxnTalkPhilanthropy blog about women in philanthropy and an expert in philanthropy. In the adapted translation of the columnJen Bokoff - universal advice for those who are going to look for work in charity.
At least once a week I receive letters with the following content: “Hello, I want to change something in my life, I think I need to work in charity, I want to do something good. Where better to send your resume? ”
I always patiently respond to such letters, write detailed answers (especially if the questions were thought out). But many topics are often repeated. Style and features of work, the size of the salary, communication, new opportunities and skills - that’s what worries everyone.
Now I will send this text to those who write to me. These are my tips for those who want to find a job in the nonprofit sector.
1. Don’t choose charity just because you want to do a good deed
You can benefit in any field. There are many easier ways to do charity - you can volunteer or make regular donations to an organization. Also, don’t go to charity to please your ego. First of all, non-profit organizations need people who sincerely believe in their ideas and mission. These are people who are ready to dedicate themselves to work, who are focused on long-term work, ready to learn and make quick decisions, people who are dedicated to their work. This is a great professional field, but weigh the pros and cons before looking for a job at a charity. And if you are really ready, you can make a great contribution to a good cause.
2. Here you can meet amazing people
In principle, interesting people meet in any field, but the charity sector is a special place, the guarantee of such a meeting is one hundred percent. Many of the people working here are true ascetics, they are ready to do a lot to help people, reduce the number of troubles and problems, make the world a better place. They have different interests and often very unusual career paths, which makes them particularly interesting interlocutors. My "friends" do not need to explain anything: they all understand the raid. The people I work with constantly inspire me to new feats, and they will inspire you in the same way.
3. You will have a lot of urgent work
However, most often the reason for this - in the organization of labor. This is a fairly common problem for the nonprofit sector. People do several things at once and often rework them to reach a deadline that never ends. But the terms people set for themselves - both personal and team. Even during non-working hours we continue to work - to participate in events, discussions, fundraising. Such persistence can lead to burnout. You need to be able to build personal boundaries, even if you love your job. Do not forget about this important topic if you come to work in our sector.
4. The salary will not always meet your expectations
Leaders of large non-profit organizations can make very good money. In medium-sized organizations, too, still earn well. So working in the nonprofit sector can be a real way to make a living. However, it is important to realize that this is not the case everywhere. Your salary will depend on the budget of the organization (this information is publicly available). Salaries in many junior or mid-level positions in small organizations tend to be lower than those available in similar positions in the private sector. So before you send a resume, think about how much you are willing to lower salary expectations and below what level you will not fall. At the interview, you will probably need to name the amount you would like to receive. Sometimes NGOs have other opportunities if they can’t pay you a competitive salary. These can be various bonuses, the possibility of remote work, surcharge for processing.
5. Even if you have connections, it is more important how you work
. It is good if you are invited to work by acquaintances or you got a job with someone’s support. Surely your acquaintances will be able to support you. But it is even more important to build relationships with colleagues within the organization, to share their experience and knowledge, resources and connections with other people. Offer new ideas, ask questions, learn from people and help in what you can help. If you request a service, be prepared to provide an equivalent service in return. Yes, people working in the charity are often kind and responsive, but it is important to be willing to share something in return.
6. Share what you can and know
Evaluate your capabilities and experience from the very beginning, they will probably be very useful in your work - and in the non-profit sphere you will be able to fully reveal them. What are these skills and qualities? The most diverse, everything is important here - enthusiasm, patience, empathy, ability to work in a team, willingness to work quickly and efficiently. But I personally think modesty is very important in our work. When you get into the nonprofit sector at any level, you need to ask questions, listen and learn. It is not a fact that you will immediately have the opportunity to become a leader, to make decisions, because the fate of real people often depends on them. Your new colleagues have the understanding and experience that you have yet to gain. This is especially useful when dealing with social issues that you are not familiar with.
7. All non-profit organizations are different
If you already know something about this sector or have worked in an organization, do not adjust yourself in advance, because you can be wrong. Ask yourself what you expect from the job, talk openly with the employer. All non-profit organizations are different, all have different styles of work. The vast majority of NGOs are small organizations, but there are also large organizations with huge budgets and capabilities. What is more important to you - scale or meaning, mission or values? Think about it, ask questions about the culture of communication, management, leaders of the organization, partners. At the same time, do not make any assumptions in advance about what your work will be like. The reality will probably be different. The charity sector is very diverse, and you will probably see this when you start working.
Read also - Doctor in every school: how the new initiative will work
At least once a week I receive letters with the following content: “Hello, I want to change something in my life, I think I need to work in charity, I want to do something good. Where better to send your resume? ”
I always patiently respond to such letters, write detailed answers (especially if the questions were thought out). But many topics are often repeated. Style and features of work, the size of the salary, communication, new opportunities and skills - that’s what worries everyone.
Now I will send this text to those who write to me. These are my tips for those who want to find a job in the nonprofit sector.
1. Don’t choose charity just because you want to do a good deed
You can benefit in any field. There are many easier ways to do charity - you can volunteer or make regular donations to an organization. Also, don’t go to charity to please your ego. First of all, non-profit organizations need people who sincerely believe in their ideas and mission. These are people who are ready to dedicate themselves to work, who are focused on long-term work, ready to learn and make quick decisions, people who are dedicated to their work. This is a great professional field, but weigh the pros and cons before looking for a job at a charity. And if you are really ready, you can make a great contribution to a good cause.
2. Here you can meet amazing people
In principle, interesting people meet in any field, but the charity sector is a special place, the guarantee of such a meeting is one hundred percent. Many of the people working here are true ascetics, they are ready to do a lot to help people, reduce the number of troubles and problems, make the world a better place. They have different interests and often very unusual career paths, which makes them particularly interesting interlocutors. My "friends" do not need to explain anything: they all understand the raid. The people I work with constantly inspire me to new feats, and they will inspire you in the same way.
3. You will have a lot of urgent work
However, most often the reason for this - in the organization of labor. This is a fairly common problem for the nonprofit sector. People do several things at once and often rework them to reach a deadline that never ends. But the terms people set for themselves - both personal and team. Even during non-working hours we continue to work - to participate in events, discussions, fundraising. Such persistence can lead to burnout. You need to be able to build personal boundaries, even if you love your job. Do not forget about this important topic if you come to work in our sector.
4. The salary will not always meet your expectations
Leaders of large non-profit organizations can make very good money. In medium-sized organizations, too, still earn well. So working in the nonprofit sector can be a real way to make a living. However, it is important to realize that this is not the case everywhere. Your salary will depend on the budget of the organization (this information is publicly available). Salaries in many junior or mid-level positions in small organizations tend to be lower than those available in similar positions in the private sector. So before you send a resume, think about how much you are willing to lower salary expectations and below what level you will not fall. At the interview, you will probably need to name the amount you would like to receive. Sometimes NGOs have other opportunities if they can’t pay you a competitive salary. These can be various bonuses, the possibility of remote work, surcharge for processing.
5. Even if you have connections, it is more important how you work
. It is good if you are invited to work by acquaintances or you got a job with someone’s support. Surely your acquaintances will be able to support you. But it is even more important to build relationships with colleagues within the organization, to share their experience and knowledge, resources and connections with other people. Offer new ideas, ask questions, learn from people and help in what you can help. If you request a service, be prepared to provide an equivalent service in return. Yes, people working in the charity are often kind and responsive, but it is important to be willing to share something in return.
6. Share what you can and know
Evaluate your capabilities and experience from the very beginning, they will probably be very useful in your work - and in the non-profit sphere you will be able to fully reveal them. What are these skills and qualities? The most diverse, everything is important here - enthusiasm, patience, empathy, ability to work in a team, willingness to work quickly and efficiently. But I personally think modesty is very important in our work. When you get into the nonprofit sector at any level, you need to ask questions, listen and learn. It is not a fact that you will immediately have the opportunity to become a leader, to make decisions, because the fate of real people often depends on them. Your new colleagues have the understanding and experience that you have yet to gain. This is especially useful when dealing with social issues that you are not familiar with.
7. All non-profit organizations are different
If you already know something about this sector or have worked in an organization, do not adjust yourself in advance, because you can be wrong. Ask yourself what you expect from the job, talk openly with the employer. All non-profit organizations are different, all have different styles of work. The vast majority of NGOs are small organizations, but there are also large organizations with huge budgets and capabilities. What is more important to you - scale or meaning, mission or values? Think about it, ask questions about the culture of communication, management, leaders of the organization, partners. At the same time, do not make any assumptions in advance about what your work will be like. The reality will probably be different. The charity sector is very diverse, and you will probably see this when you start working.
Read also - Doctor in every school: how the new initiative will work