Want a nonprofit career?

If your relentless pursuit of social justice has led you to the nonprofit sector, but you are unsure of where your specific career path lies, this week’s blog is for you. By examining your previous work experience, educational background and personal strengths, you can gain clarity about how you can best serve your favorite cause and achieve job satisfaction. The following resources and tips can be used to inform your self-discovery process.

Start with your strengths

Here at JVA, we love StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath, and I personally think it’s a great resource for anyone who is new to the nonprofit sector. By purchasing the book new, you gain access to the online self-assessment tool that reveals your top five strengths, which are then decoded in the book. Each strength category is accompanied by “Ideas for Action” that suggest jobs and tasks that would be most fulfilling to you. I find this tool to be a lot of fun and incredibly useful for both young and established professionals alike. Notice whether your collective talents suggest a position that allows you to take on leadership responsibilities, interact with clients or donors, or perhaps assume responsibility for a particular program.

Build on your existing foundation

What is your educational background? Are there volunteer or internship positions that you really enjoyed? Pick out the specific tasks and subjects that you excelled at and examine various job announcements and position descriptions for those types of tasks. By comparing job descriptions to the list of things you already love to do, you can spot trends that could lead you to your dream job. Do your ideal responsibilities typically align with those of a program coordinator or development associate? Begin exploring those jobs in more detail and learn what it takes to land your dream career.

Conduct informational interviews

Yes, I know, I advocate for informational interviews quite a bit in my blog—but trust me, there’s a reason. If you have spotted trends in the types of jobs that fit your strengths and passions but you’ve never personally been in that position, it’s a great idea to get more information from someone who has. Plus, informational interviews expand your network and could lead to potential partnerships or job opportunities down the road. It’s safe to assume that the people in these jobs are stretched for time so be sure to think about your questions and concerns ahead of time, be prepared to talk about your reasoning and experience, and be extremely appreciative of their time. For more informational interview tips, check out this blog.