January 12, 2006 | Read Time: 3 minutes
Q. I have been attempting to land a fund-raising position for the last year but so far, no luck beyond a couple of interviews. I am 27, possess a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and am willing to take an entry-level spot. I have no direct experience in development, but have been performing volunteer work recently and have added that to my rsum. Any tips for getting a foot in the door?
A. Employers are never looking to hire someone with zero experience in their field, and nonprofit development directors are no exception. Even when applying for an entry-level position, you must show an employer that you have some interest and basic knowledge of how it all works.
You say that you have recently started volunteering, which is a great way to gain experience and prove your interest to employers, but only if those volunteering efforts are related to fund raising. If not, it’s time to change that.
Identify a charity for which you have a passion, and offer your services, says Tali Pressman, development and community relations director at Progressive Jewish Alliance, a social-advocacy organization in Los Angeles.
“Offer to do grant research or to draft the first copy of a pitch letter,” she says. “Ask to sit in on meetings, shadow the fund raisers, learn the lingo, and watch how they do their work. Keep track of what you learn and the projects you work on so that you can include them on your résumé.”
Ms. Pressman specifically suggests working with smaller organizations because they are likely to offer you more hands-on experience.
Another way to show employers that you are dedicated to a career in fund raising is to take a class, says Ms. Pressman. Many colleges and nonprofit resource centers offer fund-raising courses and seminars. Also, go to fund-raising events, lectures, and other cultural activities so you can introduce yourself to people who work in the field, adds Ms. Pressman.
“Tell everyone you meet that you are looking for work and what you want to do,” she says. “You are bound to meet someone who knows someone who can help you out.”
Another suggestion: Volunteer to work with one of the many local and state 2006 political campaigns.
“If you are interested in politics, are willing to work crazy hours, and want a crash course in fund raising, get involved with a race or two,” says Ms. Pressman.
Make an effort to impress. “Everyone you work with should know you and your abilities, and be happy to make a phone call on your behalf to help you find a full-time position,” she says.
But maybe, given your background, applying for entry-level positions is not the best way to reach your goals, suggests Jill Muchow Rode, development director at the Santa Barbara Zoo, in California.
“Even though a candidate with a bachelor’s degree may tell me that they are willing to take an entry-level position to gain experience, I find it hard to believe that they would take a pay cut for a data-entry or assistant job just to get experience in development,” says Ms. Rode. “My intuition tells me not to hire that individual, as I get the feeling they would soon be unhappy with the pay, the work, or some other aspect of the job, considering their previous experience and background.”
Instead, she suggests, set your sights on opportunities that are more in line with your business-administration background, such as a job in event planning, public relations, or marketing for a charity, which may add more transferable skills to your résumé.
Another area in which to look for employment is within the business-development offices of charities, says Corinne Abbott, chief development officer at the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, in Washington.
“There is a rapidly growing need among many nonprofits to develop revenue-generating programs,” says Ms. Abbott. “You might find a great fit and can always transition to traditional philanthropic development once you’ve established yourself with the organization.” (For more about the opportunities in this area of nonprofit work, see “Cultivating the Business Side of Charity,” The Chronicle, March 18, 2004.)
