How to Get Your Foot in the Door (Even if Your Dream Nonprofit Job Isn't Hiring)

If you're looking to change nonprofit jobs, you may already have a particular organization in mind that would be your "dream job."You might have a desire to work for the Girl Scouts, for instance, but your only problem is that they're not hiring right now. Just because X nonprofit organization doesn't have any openings listed, doesn't mean you can't begin to build a relationship with them now that could benefit you in the future. You also have to remember that most job vacancies aren't listed online - many nonprofits still rely on word-of-mouth to find candidates. If you want to get your foot in the door of a nonprofit you really want to work for, it wouldn't hurt to start now so that when a job does come available, your name will rise to the top. Here are some ways to build connections with a nonprofit you really want to work for, even if they're not hiring right now.

• Sign up for their newsletter: If there's a particular nonprofit you're interested in, it helps to know what the organization is up to. Go onto their website and check out the "news" or "about us" page where there may be a signup page where you can add your email address to receive newsletter updates  if they have one. Reading a nonprofit's newsletter can help you learn about the staff, board members, and funders who are involved in the organization. The newsletter will also provide you with updates on their programs. Nonprofit also sometims post volunteer opportunities and upcoming events in their newsletters.
• Join their Facebook fan page or follow their Twitter feed: If you're on Facebook or Twitter, you have a plethora of opportunities to keep up with your favorite nonprofit online. Thousands of nonprofits have accounts on Facebook and Twitter. Just search for the name of the nonprofit to see if they have a page on either site. The great thing about nonprofits who are engaged in social media is that there is already a system set up to automatically update you when they post any new information.
• Attend their events: Many nonprofits host frequent fundraising events or "open house" gatherings where you can come to learn more about the organization's work. Their website, newsletter, Facebook or Twitter may provide information about upcoming events. When you attend their events, try not to give off the impression that you're a desperate jobseeker. Instead, introduce yourself as someone who is passionate about the cause and build rapport with some of the staff and board members. Later, you can follow up with the people you met to request an informational interview to talk about the field in general.

Don't give up on your dream nonprofit job just because they aren't hiring at the moment. People still quit their positions, get fired, go on maternity leave, go back to school, etc. A job that's filled today could be open tomorrow, and you want to be in the running because the organization already knows and likes you. You never know when you could end up hearing about a job opening as a result of your ongoing communication with them. It's better to build your relationships now, so they're strong by the time you need them.