Working in an NGO – Everything you need to know
The world of NGOs is highly competitive: here are some tips for entering the nonprofit sectorIt’s no secret that millennials want to feel like their work is making a positive impact. For some, that means finding work outside the traditional business sector and moving toward NGOs. NGO stands for non-government organisation. They are usually nonprofit and generally aim to respond to humanitarian, social or environmental needs through volunteer work, and/or public and private funding.
Save the Children, Oxfam, Doctors Without Borders, British Red Cross, Wellcome Trust: these are just some of the most well-known, traditional non-profit organisations operating in the UK and globally. Just as start-up culture has caught on in traditional businesses, it’s also caught on in the charity sector with innovative newcomers like Kickstarter and JustGiving, giving those looking for a career in the nonprofit sector a wide range of organisations to choose from.
Landing a job in an NGO is a bit different from your traditional career path. So, what do you need to do?
Here are some tips for entering the nonprofit sector
According to the Guardian, it takes a combination of volunteer work, relative work experience and using your network to get a foot in the door.
Build up relevant experience
Most of us still need a day job to pay the bills, so if you’re not in a position to volunteer full time, try to build up your experience in the sector through part-time volunteer work. Volunteer at your local soup kitchen at the weekend or help organise a blood drive. Building your experience will with different volunteer activities will also help you decide on the best type of NGO for you.
Use your network
The world of NGOs is highly competitive, so it’s a good idea to look to your network during your job search. Join charity meet up groups or networking events. And if you happen to find a job that catches your eye, do a little digging around to see if you know someone (or someone who knows someone) at the organisation and reach out to them via email or social to get an introduction.
Focus on your most relevant skills
If your background lacks the specific skills NGOs are looking for, think about the skills you have that would transfer well into any role in any company – soft skills, organisation skills, computer skills – these are skills that are easily transferrable. Also take a deeper look at your resume and think about how you can take your specific experience and make it relevant for your dream job. According to Devex.com, the most in-demand skills include, human resources, program management, IT, data analysis and business development.
