Supercharge Your Resume by Listing Nonprofit Jobs

Updated June 18, 20221.4k

Working in nonprofit jobs can be a great way to build up a strong resume. Here’s what you need to know about finding and listing nonprofit work.

Nonprofit Jobs

If you want more from your work than a paycheck, then a nonprofit job could be just what you need to find fulfillment. Furthermore, nonprofit jobs can look great on any resume. Many job seekers fail to consider nonprofit positions because they assume that they are not suitable for people who want to work full-time or make a good living, but this is not the case. In fact, adding nonprofit roles to your job search could be highly beneficial.

What is a Nonprofit Job?

A nonprofit organization is a company or organization that is tax-exempt because its overall mission statement is to further a charitable or social cause and otherwise benefit society. Nonprofit organizations can provide community services, offer family support, create job opportunities, undertake advocacy work, provide healthcare, or even provide veterinary assistance. Any work that you do for a nonprofit organization will count as a nonprofit job on your resume.

Finding a Nonprofit Job That Suits Your Career Path

If you would like to work in a nonprofit job but are not certain what kind of nonprofit role would suit your career ambitions and interests, don’t worry. There are many options for nonprofit jobs – here’s a few common full-time and part-time positions:

Program coordinator
Executive director
Fundraising assistant
Program manager
Associate director
Assistant director
Mental health support officer
Project manager
Administrative assistant
Community engagement coordinator
Communications manager
Outreach officer
Family support program officer
Public health program assistant
Foodbank assistant
Community foundation officer

If any of these seem attractive to you, then you should look for job postings within local nonprofit organizations. Before you apply, however, consider your passions and skills. If you want to help people and you are a people person with mental health knowledge, then working with social services or young persons’ charities could be a positive experience. You could work in human resources or as a case manager. If you’re more technically minded, however, then a position in information technology might be best. You could work in tech support or as a social media manager for charities in the nonprofit sector. Once you find job postings you want to apply, for you should treat them the same as any other job application.

How to List Nonprofit Work on a Resume

If you have worked for nonprofit initiatives in the past, then you should include them on your resume, even if the role was unpaid or undertaken as an internship. You should list your nonprofit jobs in your resume work history section, along with your other professional work experience. List up to ten years of work experience in reverse-chronological, providing the company name, job title, and the dates you held the position, as well as your key achievements in that role. For example:

“Social Media Manager - [XYZ] - June 2013 to November 2015

As a social media manager with [XYZ] I was responsible for managing and analyzing social media campaigns. The goal was to bring awareness to our partners and causes. Though [XYZ] works with many Catholic charities, they have secular and social partners too. Recently I led a collaborative project to bring awareness to rising homelessness. I suggested that we consult a social worker during the campaign for specialist insight. The campaign received 20% more traffic than our average campaign and raised $30,000.”

This example is effective because it gives a good idea of the details of the job posting, context regarding the company, and a specific achievement. The achievement this example gives shows skill and creativity. More than this, it suggests professional development as the job seeker was in charge of a campaign rather than assisting. When you list the nonprofit work you have done, you should:

Be concise.

It can be tempting to go into more detail than necessary in order to impress a recruiter. Resist this urge, as your resume should be no more than one page in length.
Be specific.

Discuss your achievements in specific terms. Use figures and numbers where you can or timescales if you cannot. For example, say you managed a project over one year rather than ‘some time’. Likewise, you should state that you improved something by 15%, etc., rather than just stating that you “improved” conversion or uptake or ROI.
Use active language.

Passive language is one of the easiest ways to put a hiring manager off. Be active when you discuss your previous work and successes, such as using “managed” or “maintained” rather than “was responsible for”; take ownership of your professional development.

FAQ: Nonprofit Jobs

Can you make good money working for a nonprofit organization?

Yes, though nonprofit organizations tend to pay less than for-profit organizations, you can still make a good living from working a nonprofit job. What’s more, working in a nonprofit can help you to level up your career and land your dream job further down the line.

What is the difference between a nonprofit and an NGO?

A nonprofit is a company that is categorized in a way that changes its tax status, while an NGO is a non-governmental organization. NGOs can be nonprofit organizations, but the two are not mutually inclusive.

Which resume format is best to apply to a nonprofit job?

The resume format that is best for a specific nonprofit job application will depend on the type of role you have applied for. However, a reverse-chronological format is generally the standard option no matter what kind of job you are applying for.

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About The Author

Cindi Cervone Carlson

Cindi Cervone Carlson is a Senior Vice President for Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. Cindi is responsible for developing, delivering, and implementing a dynamic, world-class organization dedicated to delivering outplacement consulting, training, support, and executive coaching. Cindi started her career at Challenger as a client who had lost her job. Over the past nine years, she has risen from an entry-level, part-time professional to Senior Vice President.