How Search Firms Can Help You Tap Into the Hidden Nonprofit Job Market
The woman on the other end of the phone is pleasant enough, I just couldn't figure out why she was calling me. "Hi, my name is Susan," she said. "And I'd like to speak to you about an exciting new job opportunity." I was confused. I already had a job, and I wasn't really looking for another one. I ask her where she's calling from. It was a local recruiting firm here in DC. Susan was a job search consultant, otherwise known as a "headhunter." She tells me that someone referred me to her, saying I would be perfect for the job. We spoke for a few minutes about the position, and while I was not inclined to put my hat in the ring, I promised to forward the opportunity to others in my network. I hung up the phone thinking, so this is how the whole word of mouth job search thing really works.
If you're looking to take the next step in your career, utilizing a recruiting firm may be the way to go. People like Susan are retained by organizations looking to hire employees with exceptional talent for a particular position. Their job is to use their networks to find the perfect candidate without going through the typical process of posting a job online and taking in applications from any old person who wishes to apply. There are many recruiting firms out there now that specialize in nonprofit positions and could be looking for you!
If you don't already have a connection to a nonprofit search firm, it may be time for you to introduce yourself and let them know you'd like to be included in their network of candidates. This article offers a few ways to make yourself known:
- Go where search organization consultants go.
- Use some of your contacts to get invited to high-end business receptions.
- Attend human resource seminars in your community or industry.
- Ask a friend or colleague recommend a search organization consultant to you-or even better, have that friend or colleague recommend you to the consultant.
- When you do make a connection, be sure to phone the consultant right away. It is the best way to initiate contact with an organization.
- If you do not have a personal introduction, send the résumé with a cover letter describing your credentials, abilities, and objectives.
Here are a few more tips I've learned from my experiences with nonprofit search firms:
- Do a great job at your current nonprofit job. Search consultants are looking for candidates with a record of high performance, so don't slack off just because you know you're on your way out the door.
- Remember that the firm is working on behalf of their nonprofit client, not you. They are not being paid to find you a job, they are being paid to find the perfect candidate for their client.
- When you contact a search firm, you should have your resume and references ready, just in case they have a search open that's perfect for you. Show yourself prepared from Day 1.
- If you are contacted by a search firm for a particular position, it's always a good idea to ask why the previous person is leaving the organization. The answer could potentially save you some heartache later, and you want to walk into the process with your eyes open to the challenges the job could bring.
If you don't yet have a connection to a recruiting firm in your area, here are a few that work locally and nationally:
I've been told by my search consultant friends that about 15% of positions are placed by a search firm. If you have the kind of talent that is in demand by nonprofit organizations, they would love to hear from you. It's worth it to work with a search firm as part of your job search strategy. Who knows? Pretty soon, you could pick up the phone one day and have Susan on the other end of your line, offering you the perfect nonprofit job.
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