By Jenna Figaro, Career and Industry Specialist, ASU's Career and Professional Development Services
Writing a Resume for Non-Profit Opportunities
Writing a resume can be tedious work! How do I know what experiences to include? What is a hiring manager actually looking for in an applicant? How do I make myself stand out in this industry? There are general best practices when it comes to resume writing, but there are also some tips and ideas to consider when you are applying in a given industry.
If you’re interested in pursuing non-profit, people-oriented, or socially-minded opportunities, this blog post is for you! Here are a few things to consider as you craft and critique your resume for potential opportunities in this sector.
Highlight Your Community Involvement
If you are interested in working in the non-profit sector, now is the time to get involved in community-focused activities! Volunteering, national service, mission-minded clubs, and fundraising are all great avenues to show your commitment to the community. These are the types of experiences that hiring managers in this industry will be looking for – are you committing to serving the community you live in? Have you volunteered with multiple organizations or participated in national service? Here is your opportunity to share all about it! If you have not been involved in these types of opportunities yet, now is the time to start.
Show Your Passion
Working in a social sector can be hard work. Show why you are passionate about an opportunity, their mission, and their values. If your “why” aligns with theirs, be sure to articulate your passion. One does not pursue and accept an opportunity in non-profit without being able to showcase why and how they are passionate about that opportunity and the community it serves. Detail exciting projects you have been a part of and what impact they have had. Describe what you have accomplished through your volunteer work or fundraising campaigns.
Be Versatile and Adaptable
Often times in non-profit opportunities, you will be required to “wear many hats” or manage a variety of tasks and responsibilities. Show that you are flexible and dependable through your various experiences. Get involved outside of academic coursework. Join a club, take on a leadership position, volunteer, pursue variety in your experiences. Not only does this grow you professionally, but it helps to show that you are capable of managing multiple projects and responsibilities. Reflect on what opportunities you can seek to enhance your adaptability and reliability in various avenues.
The non-profit sector can be one of the most personally rewarding industries. Your resume is the beginning stage of showing off why and how you are motivated and qualified to be a part of such meaningful work. Take advantage of this space to show off your accomplishments and passion for service!