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For job seekers interested in working for a non-profit, it can seem like a tough road. You wonder if a non-profit will pay the bills. How many people really work at a particular non-profit? What do the non-profit’s employees think about their jobs?

When you ask around, you hear mixed reviews. One person talks about how they love helping children. Another talks about their disastrous Executive Director. Many talk about sacrificing their salaries for their job. Some talk about their great work life balance. Others talk about working all weekend at events.

This is a lot to think about. Below are three resources to help you narrow your choice down.

  1. Book of Lists – If you aren’t sure where to begin, pick up a copy of your local Book of Lists. The Business Journal in your city produces these books annually. They contain a list of the top non-profits in your region. You can easily scan their annual revenue, number of employees, and other pertinent information.
  2. GuideStar.com – GuideStar.com is a website that provides data about non-profits. If you sign-up for a free account, you can download copies of most non-profits’ 990 Forms. These tax reporting documents often allow you to view the company’s revenue and expenses. It also allows you to learn the highest paid employee’s salary. That salary can vary from $30K per year to $300K per year, so pay close attention to this important piece of information. It will give you a sense for how much other funding the organization has available.
  3. Glassdoor.com – Glassdoor.com allows employees to anonymously provide information about their employer. You can often find the number of employees at an organization, reviews of the environment, and salary ranges for various positions.

If you take the time to go through these three simple steps, you’ll have a better idea of where to begin. In fact, you may find that a few of your favorite non-profits actually pay just as well as your current for-profit job.

Once you have a list of your top 5 non-profits, start reaching out to find out more. Talk to your friends who work there. Setup informational interviews. Volunteer your time. Look for ways to get the truly inside scoop. This information, paired up with the data you’ve gathered will give you the best idea of where to begin.

I hope these tips have helped you. Visit CopelandCoaching.com to find more tips to improve your job search.

Happy hunting!

Angela Copeland

@CopelandCoach

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