6 Things to Consider Before Transitioning from the For-Profit to the Non-Profit Sector
This post was first published on the site of Professionals doing good - a here we are global partner connecting professional volunteers with volunteer opportunities in Cambodia.
Like many people, when I reached my forties and after having workedseveral years in the corporate sector, I somehow felt that there had tobe more to life. Don’t get me wrong, I had been blessed with a greatlife: I had exciting jobs, I was travelling the world, and I had goodhealth as well as a loving family. Having received so much from life, Ifelt the time had arrived for me to finally give back. I resigned frommy secure job, relocated to Cambodia, and happily shifted my career intothe non-profit sector.
Since then, I have been contacted by friends and colleagues who areboth surprised and curious about my choice. Some of them were thinkingabout a change of career themselves. They often ask, “How did you doit?” I would say that it was a combination of courage, luck anddetermination that helped me find my way. Here are a few of the thingsI’ve learned that I would like to share with any corporate professionalswho are considering a career transition from the for-profit to thenon-profit.
1. Volunteer before making any big decisions
To volunteer or to give away your intellectual property for free to agood cause is the best way to start. It is a move that will help you tounderstand, from an inside perspective, the culture of a non-profitorganisation. It is a different set of values, a different pace and adifferent style of working from the corporate sector. Having a real,albeit non-paid, work experience in a non-profit is an invaluable factorwhen deciding to change careers. It also gives your CV an additionalboost, which may be instrumental in convincing a recruiter to give yourresume a second look and maybe an opportunity for an interview. For themore fearless of you out there, I would suggest taking a sabbatical,possibly abroad, to be fully immersed in the new world before decidingto quit your job.
2. Hone in on your transferable skills
Assess your core skills and make a list of which of those could betransferable to the non-profit sector. Declutter your CV of corporatejargon and reformat your professional history so that it highlights yourtransferable skills. Are you a human resources professional? Anaccountant? An expert on communication and social media? A specialist onstrategic planning? Do you have an IT background? All of those aretransferable skills that are very much sought after in the non-profitsector. The two worlds have more similarities than you may think.
3. Search for small-sized non-profit organisations
When applying for a job in a big non-profit organisation, experiencednon-profit professionals will have a competitive edge. My advice wouldbe to look for small- or medium-sized organisations where yourexpertise, even in the non-profit sector, may still be considered anadvantage.
4. Assess your finances
Generally speaking, the non-profit sector doesn’t offer the samecompensation, benefits, bonuses, stock options, incentives, allowances,or even the freebies of a corporate environment. My advice is to make anhonest assessment of your financial status, of the quality of life youwould not want to compromise, and of your pension scheme or mortgagerate. You don’t want to regret your choice once you receive your firstsalary sheet from the non-profit world.
5. Be humble and open to starting all over
Corporate experience may be helpful when switching career paths, butnot always. No matter how experienced you may be in the for-profitsector, when you start working for a non-profit, you have to somehowunlearn what you knew before, and be ready and willing to recreate yourportfolio of knowledge and expertise. Respect the knowledge andexpertise of your new coworkers, and understand that you will not haveall the answers straight away.
6. Be persistent and don’t give up
Lastly, be persistent and resilient in your choice. For example, youmay not find something right away, your CV may be rejected, or you maynot pass a few interviews. But stay positive and be persistent. Like anycareer switch, moving to the non-profit sector requires an investmentof time and energy, which will always pay off if you do not give up.
Post by Luisa Gentile the founder and director of Professionals doing good. Luisa is a passionate, energetic and versatile professional who has lived and worked extensively for multinational corporate organisations in Europe, the Middle East and South-East Asia. This has included roles in people & organisational development, project management, human resources and corporate social responsibility.
With a growing desire to bridge the gap between sectors, Luisa transitioned to the world of non-profit through professional volunteering in Cambodia and is currently based in Siem Reap. Since 2015, Luisa has assisted several Non-Government Organisations with strategic planning, undertaken Managerial roles and is currently serving on the Board of Directors for a local, reputable educational NGO.
In Luisa’s words: “Through Professionals doing good, my hope is by harnessing the expertise of qualified volunteers and ensuring a thoughtful exchange of knowledge and skills, that real, lasting impact is achieved as a result of that experience.”
