How to Craft Compelling Nonprofit Resumes
Going through a competitive job search is hard, especially if you want to work in the nonprofit sector — so stand out from the crowd! Give yourself an edge with an awesome resume that scores an A+ with recruiters and hiring managers. Here is how to craft an effective and unique resume to help you land your dream job!
Research the Role and Get Clear on Your Goals
Do a careful and detailed review of the job postings you’re targeting. Make sure you can speak to the specific skills and requirements for the job. Consider what else you could bring to the role from your experience and interests that differentiate you from the other applicants. Also, share what you hope to gain or achieve in the role. When you have all this figured out, it’s time to update your resume.
Choose and Use the Right Resume Format for Your Goals
This part depends on the working world you are in and looking to join. As long as you use a professional design and keep it clutter-free, you are safe. A good nonprofit resume format splits it into a few main sections: introduction, job history, volunteer experience, relevant skills and education.
Choose the Right Resume Length and Content
We recommend that you keep your resume to a single page. This limitation will encourage you to be mindful about what information you share, and it will communicate that you are a focused professional who can prioritize effectively. Emphasize the most relevant elements of your background. If you are changing fields, highlight transferable skills instead of just job titles.
Use Accurate Titles and Dates
Make sure you properly represent the details of all the job roles you have had, including exact duration and job titles. Everything should be up-to-date, and never ever complicate it by booking false numbers. Be careful if you are still writing traditional resumes and use past tense when talking about the positions you have already left.
Make Metrics and Accomplishments Clear
Attaching numbers to your successes on the job is the best way to demonstrate your job performance. Choose metrics that were most critical to the job you applied for, and explain how you achieved them. For example, if you monitored the grocery expenses for the month, you might say “Managed a total of $1000 in grocery bills over the course of one month.”
Include Volunteering and Education History
If you have volunteered in the past, share that in the resume, as recruiters consider it a plus as you have the right attitude towards giving back. Point out the duration and also how it connected to the skills required in the field. Finally, include your educational background. For an education profile, start with the most recent and go back in time.
Review and Update Regularly
Revising and updating your resume regularly is essential, particularly when changing jobs or making a career pivot. Review your resume once every six weeks and make sure it is up to date. Rapaciously proofread the resume and scan it for any typos or grammatical errors. Keep a few different versions so you can easily adjust it depending on specific jobs you’re applying to.