9 things to highlight on your resume to get noticed by nonprofit employers

Joining a nonprofit organization will give you a great chance to slow down and self-reflect on your career values while giving back to the community. However, the economy is tough across the US these days, and nonprofit employers are feeling the effect too. While the demand for the services of nonprofit organizations has risen in the past few months, so have the costs of running operations. Hence, nonprofit employers are not actively hiring as much as they used to.

Is the nonprofit sector still hiring?

The nonprofit sector is still hiring, although at a slower pace than usual. While some organizations were affected severely by the economy, causing them to let go of lowest performing employees, other nonprofits are observing a rise in hiring for finance and development sectors. Some nonprofit employees have announced hiring freezes for a few months until the economy clears up. However, you should enter the job search with a well-written resume since no one can tell when an opportunity will open up.

What must you highlight on your resume to get noticed by a nonprofit employer?

Candidates who apply for a position in a nonprofit must have a certain set of skills to navigate the various challenges of the industry. Some qualities that set apart an ideal candidate for a nonprofit are:

• The ability to manage through influence
• Being able to manage projects with minimal resources
• Capability to collaborate with a variety of stakeholders
• The ability to perform well in a consensus-driven environment

How to get noticed by a nonprofit employer during a recession?

1. Be very clear about your strengths

Your resume must be written in such a way that it highlights all the relevant strengths that qualify you for the role.

2. Quantify your achievements

Accomplishments are more impressive when they are backed up by metrics. Use numbers, percentages, KPIs, and dollars saved to make your achievements more noticeable on your resume.

3. Highlight your volunteer experience

This is a crucial step if you are changing careers from a for-profit industry to nonprofit work. Mention clearly how the position you held was voluntary and emphasize the impact of your actions. Talk about the results you achieved at your previous volunteer job.

4. Demonstrate your fundraising abilities

Been a committee member for a fundraising event at a previous job? Talk about the methods you used and the results you obtained. Highlight your familiarity with cash flow and revenue generation.

5. Mention your ability to reduce costs

If you have been tasked with reducing costs for projects at a previous job, mention how you achieved that on your resume. Your experience with reorganizing processes and staff to tighten budgets will get your resume noticed by any nonprofit employer.

6. Display your ability to focus on core programs

Your resume should narrate the story of how you tightened an organization by identifying the core value of the company mission.

7. Give priority to your adaptability skills

Adaptability skills are crucial for a career in a nonprofit. Have you carried a team through an unpredictable environment at a previous job? Are there any instances where you managed crises masterfully?

8. Show how great you are at risk management

During a recession, every employer is keen on hiring individuals who are natural at assessing risks. Highlight your ability to forecast financial risks. If you have managed your own business before, this will be a huge asset for your resume.

9. Show that you are willing to relocate

Most nonprofit employers are seeing candidates who are not willing to move to accommodate a new job. You can easily stand apart from the crowd by mentioning your interest in relocating for the job.