Career Transition Guide Into The Non-Profit Sector

1. Contact programs such as your local United Way www.unitedway.org , Retired & Senior Volunteer Program and the Corporation for National Service www.nationalservice.org/senior/index.html for information. Many states, North Carolina, for instance, have a non-profit clearing house with directories and lots of interesting information.

2. Another terrific non-profit resource on the web, is the NY Research Foundation www.foundationcenter.org While the main Administrative Office is located in NYC, (and worth the trip into "The Village" ), they also provide cooperative libraries in many US cities. The links to the Philanthropy News Digest lists provide career opportunities at U.S. foundations, grantmaking public charities, and nonprofit organizations.

3. Conduct on-line research of non-profits in your area. Many "telephone" search engines, such as www.switchboard.com and http://yp.yahoo.com/ list non-profits in their own catagory.

4. Volunteer at an agency where you might want to work. Get to know the people you might be working with and how their organization works.

5. Visit your local library or book store (off or on-line) for books on non-profit jobs. An older, no longer published book of resources was the Non-Profits' Job Finder : 1994-1995 And of course there are others too, like the 100 Best Nonprofits to Work for (2nd Ed). There are also "Directories of Non-profits" nationwide, so don't forget to visit your local librarian for information too.

6. Be aware that the grass is not always "greener" on the other side. Working at a non-profit is just like working at any other business. You'll have a boss and all the pressures, ups and downs, and challenges that come with any job. Add to that, the need for grants, fundraising, budget cuts , lots of paperwork that you'll question doing, and that will give you a better picture of the non-profit business.

7. It won't be hard to find "someone" who volunteered or worked at your favorite non-profit; just remember to ask everyone you know if they know someone who has or does work at "that" particular agency.

8. When going on an interview - interview them! Ask about their Board, how active they are, how many people there are, what types of projects the board works on, etc.

9. Find out the burn-out level of staff. Ask for the names of a few employees and volunteers. Ask both the manager and others a few questions that will help you ascertain if you're going into a job where burn out is "mandatory". Such as: How many hours a week do they work? Is the job stressful and why?, Would they hire more staff and volunteers to assist with the work and how many? Another good question to ask management is "if you were given a gift of 1 million dollars what would you do with that money? (If "things" and not people come up in their answer, or if too many people come up in that answer, -- well you'll know that's this is not ' a place for you!)

10. Set your standards and boundaries before you sign on the dotted line! Many times non-profits have projects for you to work on that require many additional hours. Make sure "up front" that you are somehow compensated for those hours - either compensation time or paid time. nn?2000 Maria Marsala, Life and Business Evolution Coach www.coachmaria.com nnnn