How to Find Non-Profit Jobs

Non-profit or not-for-profit organizations essentially operate non-commercially to serve society in whichever way possible. The purposes of not-for-profit organizations vary, but include welfare, recreation, supporting a social issue, charity and general improvement in quality of life. Such organizations enjoy a tax-exempted status and are typically sustained through donations from government or other private and public sources. Similar to profit-making companies, non-profit organizations use the Internet in their search for dedicated candidates. This means job seekers can go online to find suitable opportunities with any of the more than 1.6 million not-for-profit organizations in United States.

Things You'll Need

• Computer

Instructions

1. Go to popular search engines such as Yahoo!, Google or AOL and search for "non-profit organizations" and similar keywords. The search engines show several listings. Thoroughly explore all results listed on at least the first results page, which typically shows links best matching the search criteria.

2. Browse through the search engines' own portals, which often have their own job sections that are dedicated to non-profit jobs. These portals can offer a good chance of coming across more employers. Use their discussion forums to network and know related information.

3. Look for not-for-profit organizations to get a list of leading non-commercial setups. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, for instance, is the largest non-profit organization, worth almost $60 billion. Other globally known non-profit foundations are the Red Cross, UNESCO, Amnesty International and IEEE.

4. Use wikipedia.org for detailed information about non-profit organizations. Related articles on Wikipedia give links to popular non-commercial setups.

5. Check out Web sites catering specifically to non-profit organizations and their requirements. One such site is idealist.org, which has a vast database of non-profit jobs spanning 165 nations. You can search a job by its title, city or country, or by the organization's mission. Information about internships, volunteering positions and job opportunities are listed here.

6. Use networking sites such as LinkedIn and MySpace to form a network of like-minded people. The more people you network with, the higher are the chances of you getting a good break.

7. Check Web sites of local museums, aquariums, environmental groups and other not-for-profit outfits for job openings. Working at such institutions is beneficial in terms of experience as well as adding value to your resume.

8. Search for job postings by non-profit organizations on popular job sites such as Dice, Monster, CareerBuilder and HotJobs. Although, these sites mainly cater to profitable companies, non-profit jobs are listed as well.

9. Receive email updates by becoming a member of the Nonprofit Career Network, another site supporting a non-profit job search portal to interested candidates. The site has a directory of non-profit organizations so job seekers can get information about the group. This way, individuals can also explore job openings with a particular non-profit agency.

10. Check in with Experience Works, a non-profit organization focusing on training and employing senior citizens with low incomes. The organization is a great place to learn from experienced members.

Tips & Warnings

• Becoming a member on popular sites gives you the option of setting alerts so you get email notifications every time a suitable job is posted.

• Post your resume stating relevant work experience and qualifications.

• Regularly check the accounts you create on job portals.

• Interact online with others. If you have a skill, write about it and let others know about your abilities.

• Other sites worth exploring include nonprofitjobs.org, opportunitynocs.org, execSearches.com, ceoexpress.com and philanthropy.org (see links, below).

• Beware of online scams. Remember that a genuine work opportunity will never require you to pay. All so-called part-time opportunities that tell you to send them money so you get profitable work are frauds.

• Students, teenagers and their parents must check the credentials of prospective employers especially if they are relatively unknown. What appears great online may be in reality a risky situation.

• Read the fine print before signing any contract.