Ask A Recruiter: Transitioning from For-Profit to Not-For-Profit

Contributed by Gretchen Anderson and Michelle Kedem

I’ve recently run into a few women I used to know in banking, and they’re now working in the not-for-profit sector. Inspired by their stories, I’m contemplating making this kind of transition myself, but I’d like to get a realistic sense of what this would mean before I put myself out there. How can I demonstrate that I’d be a good choice for a mission-driven organization, even if my whole previous career has been in the for-profit sector?

As you already know, you’re not alone in wanting to make this switch. In today’s job market, there are record numbers of mid-career private sector professionals who are shifting over to the not-for-profit sector. And, while finding a way to give back is often a primary driver for this shift, these people often find a host of other reasons to love their new jobs: a chance to engage with big-picture issues, an improved lifestyle, and a chance to work with colleagues with a different range of experiences, to name just a few.

So how can you prepare yourself to make the jump – even if you don’t have not-for-profit experience on your resume? To start, you can relax – the great news is that organizations in the not-for-profit sector are, increasingly, recruiting directly from private sector companies. There is an increasing awareness that some of the skills and knowledge that are in the for-profit sector, particularly in professional services careers like law, consulting and banking, can help not-for-profits change and better establish themselves. For example, skills like establishing infrastructure, planning for growth, developing strategic plans and creating robust and challenging career opportunities for their employees can all be useful in both sectors.

This doesn’t mean, however, that you can waltz into an interview and expect the not-for-profit to be grateful for your expertise and charitable inclination. You should be able to speak in detail about the issues that the organization addresses – demonstrating passion, informed positions and curiosity. If you are interviewing for an organization that is involved with education in the city where you live, for example, you should prepare some good questions, which might be based on your experience as a parent, a student, or a taxpayer. The way you discuss the issues should show that you are thoughtful and engaged, that you have relevant experience, and that you will be willing to learn.

You should also reflect the full range of your experiences, beyond the ones that you traditionally tend to think of as related to your career path. Volunteerism and board membership are clear ways to demonstrate your willingness to give back, but you also might also think more broadly about your extracurricular life, and find ways to tailor stories that demonstrate who you are and what you believe in. Do you hike in nature preserves with your friends? Have you ever taken your family to an eco-resort? These experiences would segue nicely into a discussion with recruiter for an organization focusing on the environment.

Most importantly, as with any search, remember that the best sources of information are always going to be people who blazed this path before you – so go back to those women you used to know in banking who have already crossed over, offer to buy them a cup of coffee, and get them to tell you their tales. Any career search is a mixture of strategy and serendipity – you never know what nuggets you glean might prove useful (or whether their organizations might be hiring!)

Michelle Kedem and Gretchen Anderson are both with On-Ramps (https://www.on-ramps.com), where Michelle is a founding partner. Visit On-Ramps’ website or reach out to Michelle or Gretchen for more ideas and information about career transitions.