The Non-Profit Sector

The Non-Profit Sector

The non-profit sector (sometimes referred to as the ‘third-sector’) is vast, covering everything from electronics, housing, healthcare, information technology, financial, legal, transportation, and a whole plethora of others. Many in today’s job market would not normally consider this as a starting place for their jobhunt, but they could be missing some valuable opportunities. Although many non-profit organisations utilise volunteers, there are still lots of opportunities for paid part-time or permanent jobs within the sector. Common perception is that as a job field, there is no money to be made working for NPO’s (non-profit-organisations), which isn’t true at all. The downside though is that paid work with non-profits tends to be highly specialized, or open to graduates only. Furthermore, salaries in the non-profit sector, particularly with not-for-profit and charitable organisations, does tend to be lower. The advantage however is that you could be working in a job with people who share the same passions and beliefs as you. Many also have the perception that work in the non-profit sector is easier than in the public or private sectors, which is definitely not true either. Although non-profit organisations are not run to make profit, they are still focused on results and are highly accountability driven

Those seeking work in the non-profit sector typically need to be able to demonstrate a background that shows they can move that organisations core objectives forward, and in this regard, it typically means having experience in the same or a similar field related to that line of work. A key trait often sought after in the sector is that of a leader who is good at motivating volunteers and other employees. That is why, when it comes to paid employment in the sector, not-for-profit organisations are typically looking for professionals with a resume that boasts a proven track record of results.
With that being said, there are many blue-collar positions available within the sector too, such as warehouse workers, delivery drivers, and other front-line staff.
With all these things considered, although non-profits will still hire graduates, they are actually more inclined to hire older, more experienced candidates which is a big departure from the typical hiring practices found in the public and private sectors

Types of paid jobs in the non-profit/ not-for-profit sector

What employers in this sector are looking for
A genuine interest and a passion pertaining to the job or field of choice. Preferably in conjunction with a proven track record that demonstrates accountability and an ability to deliver results

• Strong leadership skills
• Accountability
• Commitment
• Kindness and empathy

(The ability to speak a second or multiple languages can also be a big advantage in this sector too)

One of the things you should be looking to emphasize is that what makes this line of work so appealing to you is the fact that you will be working in a field with people who have the same passion and desire towards their work as you. Some people can experience a greater amount of overall job satisfaction because of this, and that is something you can certainly emphasize here if you wish. Another advantage is that the jobs you’ll find in the non-profit/ not-for-profit sector can sometimes be in slightly more relaxed environments compared to comparative jobs in the public or private sectors. On top of this, as the people you’ll be working with tend to share the same commitment and beliefs about their work as you do, it can sometimes to translate into slightly better job security as well

What is often said about non-profit work is that it is meaningful and worthwhile, playing a vital role in the lives of people who are less fortunate. People attracted to this sector are individuals who are looking to make a difference in the lives of others, and they are willing to stand up and do their part to contribute to the betterment of the world around them

Sometimes it can be difficult for people interested in the non-profit sector to differentiate between the organisations and charitable entities of which it is compromised. The terms non-profit and not-for-profit refer to different things although they are essentially interchangeable, because both refer to areas where things are not being run to make a profit

Non-profits pertain to things such as businesses, although the correct way to refer to these would be as business entities, because these are not businesses in the strictest sense of the word as, again, they are not being run to make a profit. Instead, these are businesses set up to fund specific initiatives such as outreach programs, local community centres, etc

Not-for-profits on the other hand are things like churches, political groups, and charities. All share a similar trait in that they are not being run to generate a profit, but each has a different purpose and different objectives. For instance, the money generated by churches will be used to fund church related projects, the money generated by political groups will be used to fund politically based initiatives, and money generated by charities will be used to fund whichever particular cause that charity is concerned with. Another trait that differentiates the two is that donations made to not-for-profits are tax deductible

Charities as defined by statutory definition are: Non-profit organisations that have demonstrated their purpose for operating for the good of the public and for social betterment

Volunteering within the non-profit/ not-for-profit sector
If you can find the time, something else that will increase your chances would be to volunteer. This is because it is something that makes you come across as a much more viable candidate in the eyes of any interviewer in the non-profit/ not-for-sector. Not only do you gain valuable experience by volunteering, but it also demonstrates your dedication and commitment to a relevant passion or cause. When going down this route, it is always best to find a role related to the same or similar line of work that you are looking to get into, although sometimes this may not always be possible due to the limitations on the range of volunteering positions available. Remember that you will not be contracted in the same way that a paid employee is. For that reason, you can commit to only a minimum number of hours each week if you wish – there will be no financial repercussions because you’re not losing out on wages – and the advantage to your C.V will be just the same as if you were volunteering full-time hours for that organisation. So it doesn’t matter if it’s 10 hrs or 40 hrs a week you volunteer for – an employer will still see on your C.V that you were involved with that organisation, and the number of months or years that you volunteered with them for, so you still gain the same advantage on your C.V, even if you commit to working the minimum number of hours each week for that organisation

Volunteering experience on a C.V in the non-profit sector
In the public and private sectors volunteer positions on a C.V are still frowned upon when such work is in place of paid employment, for the simple reason that working in a position of paid employment proves to the hirer that you are employable. However, another major departure in the non-profit/ not-for-profit sector is that most relevant volunteering work on a C.V is a big asset. This is because non-profits/ not-for-profits are looking for individuals who have a genuine interest and commitment to the roles for which they apply. That is why volunteering will always count for more with employers in the non-profit/ non-profit sector than it does in the private or public sectors

Volunteering experience on a C.V in the public and private sectors
If you find yourself in a position where you have lots of non-paid volunteering experience on your C.V and are applying for work in the public or private sectors, a good way of explaining this to an interviewer is that you were initially trying to get into the non-profit/ not-for-profit sector by doing some volunteer work because you have a passion for such and such a thing, but due to the lack of paid opportunities have decided to widen your job search. This is a great way to explain away excessive amounts of non-paid volunteering experience on a C.V…

Making Donations
Most people might overlook this simply because it might not seem immediately apparent, but another great way to score points with the interviewer is to tell them that you have been donating to a worthy cause

This works best where you manage to slip this fact into the conversation casually, particularly where answering an interviewers opening questions concerning things about yourself like your interests or hobbies. This tactic is also much more effective if it’s something relevant to the field that you are applying for. Keep in mind that there is no guarantee you will get the job, so if you decide to utilise this tactic, only do so if you are able to, and have a genuine desire to contribute to the betterment of a particular cause or pursuit