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What better way to spend your time than getting paid for work you would do for free? For many people in search of a more meaningful and lifestyle friendly career, that means trading in the corporate life in favor of employment with a foundation, charity or other non-profit organization.
One of the best ways to transition into the non-profit arena is through volunteer assignments. As a volunteer, you’ll enjoy the chance to learn more about the inner workings of the non-profit world, develop needed skills and make connections with people who can help you network your way into paid employment.
Of course, not every volunteer assignment will lead to a salaried job. But by being strategic about your volunteerism, you can maximize your odds of turning your volunteer hours into a paid position. Here are five tips for optimizing your volunteer time as you transition into the non-profit world:
- Avoid volunteering simply because you are asked
We’ve all fallen into the trap of taking on volunteer jobs simply because we were asked and felt obligated to help (school bake sales anyone?). But if you’re serious about going to work for a non-profit group, you are going to have to clear your calendar of the “just because” volunteer hours and replace them with meaningful volunteer jobs that are more closely aligned with your career targets. Limit your volunteer efforts to jobs that will help you gain contacts, skills or knowledge that are closely aligned with your non-profit goals.
- Do your homework
Not all non-profits are created equal. Ideally, you want to find organizations that have the financial resources to support paid staff members. But at a minimum, seek out non-profits that are well-managed and provide volunteers with meaningful opportunities to strengthen their skills and enhance their non-profit resumes.
- Volunteer in high-impact areas
Be a problem-solver. Offer your services in ways that can make a real difference to the organization. Fund raising, development and volunteer recruitment are three key areas where non-profits almost always need assistance.
- Seek out organizations with “power players”
Networking is the single best way to find a paying position in the non-profit world (just like it is in the corporate world). Focus on volunteer opportunities with organizations that are run by people “in the know” who can help you build your network of influential contacts within the non-profit world.
- Broadcast your intentions
Once you’ve proven your worth, don’t be shy about letting the staff and board of directors know that you are interested in finding paid work. You never know when they might be willing to hire you for a temporary project or a more permanent position.
Finally, take advantage of some of the many excellent resources listed here on Job-Hunt to help you make the leap into the non-profit world
© Copyright Nancy Collamer, 2010. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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About This Author:
Nancy Collamer, career coach, author and speaker, helps clients reinvent careers outside the corporate box. Her clientele includes midlife career changers, parents looking for flexible work and professionals of all ages eager to create more lifestyle friendly career options. Based in Old Greenwich, CT, Nancy works with clients around the country by telephone. She can be reached by e-mail at NJCollamer@gmail.com or through her websites at MyLifestyleCareer.com, JobsandMoms.com, and NancyCollamer.com.
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