Feeling behind in the job market.

25 Comments

1. AnonymousSeptember 10,2023 at 4:44PM UTC

   I meant to add that because I cannot find a decent job I’m stuck having to take very low paying jobs that have nothing to do with my interests etc, they just pay the bills.

2. AnonymousSeptember 10,2023 at 6:50PM UTC

   No shame in taking jobs to pay the bills! I'm looking at temp work to help me through financially while I look for a job. Do you have any skills that may be applicable to contract work?

   What kind of non-profits are you looking at?

3. AnonymousSeptember 11,2023 at 8:18PM UTC

   Hello, yes nothing wrong with it at all but it seems I have to work multiple in order to stay afloat till I find something that aligns with my career! Ones that are centered around education STEM/STEAM. Or working with college students.

4. AnonymousSeptember 12,2023 at 12:50PM UTC

   Lots of great suggestions in the thread so I'll try not repeat myself. You can try looking at resources through the college/university where you received your degree. Many of them have alumni services with help for job placement and they may have connections with educational NPOs. You could also leverage LinkedIn to look up alumni that have positions in NPOs and see if they will have a brief (20 min) chat with you about the work environment, hiring process, what the current trends and needs are, how you should sell yourself, etc. If you land on the right connection they can send your application material directly to the hiring manager. Trying to get the application submitted as early as possible (within 2 days of the posting) has been suggested. Not sure if this will make a huge difference if your application/resume is not getting a favorable review, but it may at least get you in that early cohort before the blanket rejections get sent out for too many applicants. Try to find someone in that world who can look at your resume to suggest ways to optimize for NPO jobs. I've heard so many uneven experiences with 'career coaches' and resume writers. Just be careful of investing a chunk of $$ on one of these people/groups. Many are simply just not that knowledgeable or they apply generic guidance that may not be useful to an NPO application. Wishing you success!

5. AnonymousSeptember 12,2023 at 3:46PM UTC

   Thanks so much ! People on LinkedIn don’t reply whenever I reach out! But I’ll keep trying.

   I’ll reach out to my schools careers department to see if they can help at all. I have a few people I can reach out to, I have and I’ve gotten my resume looks good.

   im a bit wary of career coaches too, good you mention this because I’m a bit apprehensive as I’ve tried one before and, let’s just say he overwhelmed himself.

   thank you!

6. AnonymousSeptember 12,2023 at 1:13PM UTC

   I just saw Girls Who Code have a couple of openings that are remote right now. When I was working at the university they would run summer programs to teach coding to young women people in the community. The posted jobs look to be coordination/communication/management, etc., so you wouldn't need coding experience for these. https://jobs.lever.co/girlswhocode

7. AnonymousSeptember 12,2023 at 3:41PM UTC

   That’s great I’ll look at their careers page thank you!

8. Danielle MadoleSeptember 10,2023 at 5:06PM UTC

   Reach out to your network for starters; use job posting platforms (LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, etc.) to see what jobs are posted; find out who the job poster is or who the point of contact is in recruitment / HR etc. Go directly to the company’s website for any interesting jobs you see and call / contact the company's point of contact, sending resume directly to the recruiter/HR. You have to find a way to set yourself apart and be memorable. Also, make sure your social media accounts are linked (X, FB, Linked In, website, etc.) and make sure your personal branding is on point before you start the process. Good luck!

9. AnonymousSeptember 11,2023 at 8:15PM UTC

   Hi there, yea I’ve been doing this but, most of the time companies don’t have direct lines to HR and if they do it’s always a generic response. But, I’ll keep trying!

10. Cyndi RosenblattSeptember 10,2023 at 5:12PM UTC

    Since your recent work experience is unrelated, you might consider volunteering to get some related experience. This could lead directly to a position with an organization you're already volunteering for or with directly relevant experience to add to your resume.

11. Dana AugustinSeptember 11,2023 at 8:17PM UTC

    Thanks!

12. AnonymousSeptember 10,2023 at 6:02PM UTC

    Nonprofits are usually very closed professional networks and usually people get referrals to job opportunities. I would network to try and find out about openings.

13. AnonymousSeptember 11,2023 at 11:48AM UTC

    Nonprofits are strange environments. Thet don't always follow a predictable path. Usually hire family or friends and so you would do well to form those relationships. Networking and professional organizations might open some doors.

14. AnonymousSeptember 11,2023 at 8:16PM UTC

    I’m trying out more professional organizations! Thank

    you

15. AnonymousSeptember 11,2023 at 1:14PM UTC

    “Nonprofit” is a kind of organization, and includes many, many different kinds of institutions. This is like saying you want to work in the financial sector or in manufacturing or for state government. What _kind_ of nonprofit do you want to work in? What would you do there? What mission area resonates with you?

    idealist.org is a good nonprofit job bank to give you some ideas

16. AnonymousSeptember 11,2023 at 2:31PM UTC

    Hi there, I like working in nonprofits centered around education and working with underrepresented groups. Idealist is a great site and I have been using it. The issue seems to be every rejection always say they have had too many candidates.

17. AnonymousSeptember 11,2023 at 5:12PM UTC

    Volunteer first in the places where you want to work, then get to know the staff there and when roles open up you will be top of mind. Most NP's struggle to find volunteers for the good work they do. Good luck.

18. Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachSeptember 11,2023 at 7:07PM UTC

    Hi! Have you thought about working with a career coach? I can help you approach your job search differently so you can start landing interviews. Here's my link to sign up for a consult call & learn more : https://maeganmillercoaching.as.me/consultcall

19. AnonymousSeptember 11,2023 at 8:13PM UTC

    Hi Maegan,

    Great idea thank you. I will reach out!

20. Krystin MorganSeptember 11,2023 at 9:33PM UTC

    You are not alone in this! Right now it's a very tough market for a lot of industries, with many companies pulling back on hiring because of the economy. I can't speak to the nonprofit field specifically, but I'm seeing this in a lot of industries at the moment.

21. AnonymousSeptember 12,2023 at 3:44PM UTC

    Yes, exactly this! This is where I’m having a hard time. I see everywhere that people are experiencing the same thing I am. With inflation and the economy it’s become incredibly difficult!

22. AnonymousSeptember 12,2023 at 12:51PM UTC

    I know that Arts in CT were hiring. Maybe give them a look

23. AnonymousSeptember 12,2023 at 9:30PM UTC

    Non profits are just as filled with psychopaths as any other field. Not since 1999 have I felt any camaraderie whatsoever. Since then, I have always felt It's not the work I hate, it's the people.

24. Cheryl-AnneSeptember 13,2023 at 12:51PM UTC

    Thank you for the honest truth about non-profits, and here I am applying to them hoping for a change from consulting in the information and technology services industry.

25. AnonymousOctober 24,2023 at 12:03AM UTC

    Couldn't agree more!