Nonprofit Staffing | Nonprofit Executive Search – We're the Nonprofit Staffing Experts.

Ok, lets start with the benefits:

(1) They are attractive to work at because they are mission driven and they offer A do-good feeling from working at them.
o At a nonprofit you can work someone you actually care about. And because of this (in the job-seeking stage) they also expect you to offer more than just a resume match.
o To secure a position you will need to demonstrate a personality fit, and your proven passion for their mission.
o Even your outside activities all matter to nonprofit employers.
o Bottom line: nonprofits are looking for people who care about their purpose as much as they do.
o As long as you are active in pursuing your interests this will help you, but in situations where job seekers have been passive about volunteering, or working in for such a purpose this will work against you.

(2) Another Big Benefit Are “The People” In The Sector.
o We are progressive, open to change, and care about our communities; where else can you find this?
o In general nonprofit employers truly care about their staff and are normally open to committee decision making.
o This is different than for-profits. For-profit companies are top down only decision makers (traditionally) and normally do not “discuss” their decisions openly before they are made in the same way. This is a great strength but also a great challenge. For this reason expect the hiring process to take a bit longer.
o Though the process is time intensive, it is also offers stability, reliability, and employee buy in. Things that are very important when considering nonprofit leaders are responsible to boards, and many times must justify their decisions. Another benefit of difference in seeking in the nonprofit sector is that it allows us to passionately work in an area without appearing like “fanatical jobseeker.”
o If you approached a for-profit with as much direct experience as many nonprofit jobseekers do, you would probably be labeled a stalker or out for personal gain. Honestly, try telling a Finance Director at Gap Inc., that you watched them speak at the most recent event at Masconi Center, that you volunteered at their two last gala/events since 2005, met their personal assistant at an art show last week, read the last three publications they had written, that you are very devoted what they do, and really want to work with them. They will be either terrified of you, or expect you to do their laundry.
o Nonprofits are different. You are expected to network in their area of expertise, read their works, meet their employees, and volunteer at their events. In fact that is fastest way to get hired at one.
Unlike for-profit corporations the information you need to secure a job lead is very available in the nonprofit sector. You always here people say this, getting a job is all about networking. For better or worse, finding the best job for you often comes down to knowing the right people. Maintain relationships from past jobs, internships and volunteer experiences.” Thus, having the correct experience volunteering, and the right approach is a strong way in.
o Remember that in the nonprofit world it is much better publicized when their events are, and how to get involved with an organization.
o Each of these are opportunities to get your foot in the door.
o So, go to their website, and you will find many doorways in.
o Information on how to volunteer, and even the Executive Director’s email is normally located right there.

The Challenges
(1) Finding the position you are right for and sticking with it. (RECUITERS SEE THIS EVERYDAY!) If you can choose a position that you are interested and stick with it you will always be employed.
o Story: many people always say, “wow I would be great at event planning,” but only stay in the position (if they can get it) for a year to three.
o This is the same for Grant Writers, why are they so in demand? This is because most people do not stay in the area, or only dabble in their creation.
o The key is to find a position/area you are right for and sticking with it.
o This is the key to your professional success and it is also your hardest decision.
o Don’t go from development back to programs.
o Don’t go from operations to marketing.
o These leaps are very hard to pull off.
o Decide what you want to do today and start working in it; if you don’t have enough experience in it to get paid yet; volunteer.
o If you are senior level and are not working in it now, better join a board.

(2) Choosing and sticking to a general area of interest and overall mission or niche within the nonprofit sector.
o Jobseekers everyday are surprised when they are not selected for an opportunity, and may have come in second or third in the interview process.
o I would say 8 out of 10 times it is because another person had prior exact industry experience in the position.
o So, if you are working in education, stay in education, if you are working in a religious organization stay in what you know.
o Of course people also get board and need change. This is the biggest challenge in nonprofit job-seeking: finding an area that you like and sticking to it.
o Remember you are most qualified for working in the area you are currently in, so choose wisely the positions and roads you enter.

(3) In the nonprofit sector we are very diverse in ethnicity, but not always diverse in beliefs within each organization. This can be limiting in some ways.
o Since we are mission driven entities and most nonprofits hire individuals that morally agree with their actions, this can limit our expose to outside beliefs and competitive information.
o Organizations hire individuals aligned with their mission, and normally do not hire disinterested perspectives.
o This is also why having an active board is so important for nonprofits, and also why we hear in the recruiter sector “I don’t want a yes person,” from executive directors.
o This problem does not exist as much for the for-profit sector. Disinterested perspectives and stockholders are actually required for may many larger for-profit corporations.

(4) Lastly, understanding the truths behind some of the myths of the nonprofit sector is also a challenge and can prove very helpful. Here a few that are talked about quite a bit and some that I also found discussed on Idealist.org:

Myth (1), “No one makes any money in the nonprofit sector.”
This just not true, in fact $670 billion are earned by nonprofit organizations annually, and one in twelve Americans work in the nonprofit sector.

Myth (2) Working for a nonprofit is not really a career path.
o In reality, the nonprofit sector provides many people with a lifetime of exciting work.
o Nonprofits also tend to offer young people more leadership opportunities than other sectors.

Myth (3) Everyone that works in the nonprofit sector is nice. Though I must say that the sector is filled with many happy people, it is also filled with difficult personalities, big egos, and office politics as well.

Myth (4) The nonprofit sector is not competitive.
Organization at time do compete with each other for funds, grants, and on certain issues, organizations may have missions that are in direct opposition to one another (such in the case of abortion, or the environment/development). You have to be competitive as jobs seeker as well, and make sure to market yourself fully and honestly.

Myth (5) Working for a nonprofit is just like volunteering, this in not true. Nonprofits rely on volunteers however they are often shielded from the organizational, financial, or issues relating to time working in the field.

For more information about for-profit jobs and staffing please see: http://scionstaffing.com.

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It is vital that before you go into an interview that you have properly prepared yourself to talk. But before you can talk about yourself and the company you first need to do your homework.

So do read their website cover to cover, re-read and memorize the job description you are interviewing for, and look up your interviewers on LinkedIn, Youtube, Facebook, and Twitter, to have a better understanding about where they are from, where they have worked, and who they are. Trust me, it helps! But at the same time make sure not to divulge to much personal info about them, or ever be anything but 100% formal!

Ex: If you learned that are passionate followers and attendees of Burning Man, don’t mention it, perhaps they do not want their co-workers to know! By divulging to much personal information about your interview you may look odd, or like a stocker. There is a fine line so just stick to the basics. Talk about where they are from, lived aboard, or went to school.

In your research, do try to find a news story about them, or watch a YouTube video the company may have been in – they offer wonderful clues into the culture of where you are interviewing.

Look, interviewing is a technique. And the most important thing that you can do to prepare is to practice and know what you are going to say before you say it! Here is an easy approach for preparing for any interview, be it for a mail clerk position, or VP level.

Step one: make up, and formulate an answer for the most popular questions that will be asked of you.

Think about it, most employers always ask the about the same questions, or at least will include some similarities in questions when they bring you in. You may also be thinking, what about the “odd-ball questions,” that are sometimes asked like: “If you were a car what kind of car would you be and why?” These, can sometimes be asked, but are normally not really relied upon to decide if you are a good candidate or not. So, try not to worry about the unexpected. Odd questions are generally used, just to make the interviewer feel less square, and feel more cool. So just act like they are a fun question and you cant go wrong. Instead, turn your attention to prepare yourself for what you can expect. This is proven to be the best way to be successful in an upcoming interview.

Here’s a tip – know, and get used to the idea that at least once (probably twice) you will get tongue tied or stumble answering the questions. DO NOT PANIC! This is NORMAL! All candidates do this, just move on. So take you time and don’t worry if you do. If you even need to buy a second to regain your composure, or think about what you will say, just ask them to repeat the question and take a deep breath.

The best way to knock an interview “out of the park,” is to practice, practice, practice, answering the most popular questions out-loud. Grab a friend, or if your buddies are too busy, make flash cards and repeatedly make yourself answer the questions aloud while sitting at a table.

In a perfect world, you should have another person mock interview you to prep. There is not better way to prepare. Give them the following questions and tell them to throw in some questions of their own. Tip – do not at any time break character or start talking about how you are doing with your mock interviewer! Always pretend like you do not know them, and talk to them like the interview is really happening.

Following are a list of popular and great questions you should prepare yourself with. Know these forward and backward and you are on your way to rocking the interview!

Top General Interview Questions

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why are you interested in this position?
• What would you do for us that someone else can’t?
• What about this position do you find most attractive? Least Attractive?
• How long would it take for you to make a meaningful contribution?
• How do you describe your personality?
• What would you say are the major personal traits/qualities this job demands?
• Describe to me how this job would relate to the overall goals of the company?
• What aspects of your job do you like best?
• What aspects of your current job do you like the least?
• Of all the work you have done, where have you been the most successful?
• How do you make yourself indispensable to a company?
• Why do you want to work in this position?
• What do you look for in a job?
• What are the three most important responsibilities of this position?
• How long would you stay working at a position such as this?
• What do you see yourself doing ten years from now?
• Tell me about a time when your course load was heavy. How did you complete all your work?
• Tell me about a time when you had to accomplish a task with someone who was particularly difficult to get along with.
• If you were hiring for this job, what would you look for?
• What are you looking for in a job?
• Why should we hire you?
• What would your most recent employer say about you if we asked?
• Have you ever been asked to leave a position?
• What salary are you seeking?
• What is your greatest strength? Weakness?
• Do you have any questions for us?

Top Management Questions

• What is your management style?
• What did you look for when you hired people in the past?
• What do you see as being the most difficult task in being a manager?
• What is your biggest weakness as a manager?
• How many people did you supervise on your last job?
• Give of an example of problem that occurred with a subordinate and how did you resolve it?
• How do you motivate others?
• Give of an example of a training program you lead or created?
• Please give an example of your experience with budgets or project management? What are you strengths in the area?

Step two: anticipate what they might ask you about and practice answering these additional questions as well! Normally your biggest clues on what will be ask to you, is listed on the job description. Expect a question, or the interviewer to want to talk about each bullet point in some way. So do your research and spend time thinking about the job and the responsibilities if you really want to land it!

Step three: repeat.

For more information about for-profit jobs and staffing please see: http://scionstaffing.com.

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