Recent trends show a dramatic increase of the number of people wanting to transition from the for-profit world to the nonprofit sector. If you are contemplating a similar move, here are some steps that you can take to ensure that it goes as smoothly as possible.

1. Make connections. Nonprofit organizations, whether they are hospitals, universities, disease/health organizations, or arts groups, are about people. Speak to people you know who are working in nonprofits either as employees or volunteers. Make contact with professional associations.

2. Educate yourself. Once you’ve made contact with individuals in the nonprofit world, learn more about how their organizations work, the challenges they face, and the positions available within them. This will give you a better understanding of what types of jobs and organizations are out there and what type of organization and direction that you would like to pursue. The internet is also an excellent source of information.

3. Show your commitment. Nonprofit organizations are also about commitment to a cause. Donating your time and expertise to a nonprofit will help you to make connections with other professionals and demonstrate your commitment to prospective employers. It will also help you decide if the nonprofit world is for you.

4. Get credentials. If you are like most individuals who are contemplating a change to the nonprofit world, you already hold one or more degrees. Depending on your particular situation and the type of job you are applying for, you may need to get additional credentials to be competitive in the labour market. For example, if you are currently in communications and want to move to a position in fundraising, the CFRE designation or courses at a community college may be necessary.

5. Look critically. Once you’ve decided on the type of job and organization you want and you’ve taken some courses and updated your skills, you are almost ready to embark on your job search. At this point, you need to take a critical look at your resume and cover letter, and/or enlist a friend or professional resume writer to help you. Quite a few resumes, from individuals coming from positions at all levels, do not address the employer’s needs as they are outlined in the job ad. This is a critical flaw that may land your resume in the rejection pile, even if you are qualified for the job. Nonprofits are busy organizations, and whoever is doing the recruiting will likely not have much time to review your resume, so make sure it’s organized, to the point, and highlights the skills and experience you have that are relevant to the position you are applying for.

6. Keep learning. This is a time of challenge and change for Canadian nonprofits with increasing competition for resources and higher expectations for openness, professionalism, and clear financial management. Make a commitment to invest in your professional development. Take courses, read industry and business publications, and join applicable professional associations to keep your knowledge and skills up-to-date.

This article previously appeared on www.crawfordconnect.com/mappingthejourney.html and is reprinted with permission.

As the new president of crawfordconnect Deborah connects nonprofit organizations with executives and senior fundraisers. In her 24 years in nonprofit, Deborah has consulted with charities throughout Canada and the USA. She is an active volunteer and currently serves as a board member with the Association of Fundraising Professionals Golden Horseshoe Chapter.