By Alison Stein Wellner

Q. I am looking for an entry-level job in nonprofit community relations, but most job openings seem to be geared toward upper-level executives. Any advice for how I can get started?

A. While you might not be seeing many job listings for entry-level positions in community relations, they're definitely out there, says Sara K. Gould, president of the Ms. Foundation for Women, in New York, whose communications staff members take on community-relations tasks, as do its program associates. It may just be that you're skipping over positions that would be considered entry-level in community relations, because they are labeled as administrative, she says. But don't be fooled.

"Many entry-level positions, although listed as administrative in nature, involve significant support activities and tap staff talents," she says. It's worth a phone call to find out whether an administrative position will have any responsibilities in the area of community relations.

There are many ways to get started in community relations. Temping is one route, suggests Ms. Gould. "A temporary position can be an excellent way to get your foot in the door and prove your dedication and drive," she says. And volunteering is another. "In a tight job market, employers often look first to their volunteer base when looking to staff up. After all, these are the folks who have already proved themselves both committed to the organization's mission as well as efficient and effective employees."

Side benefit: Volunteer work in community relations will help you build a portfolio, and an address book filled with contacts, says Mary Koniz Arnold, former associate director of the Dutchess County Arts Council, in New York State, and currently a writer and photographer in the office of community relations at Dutchess Community College. (See this previous edition of Hotline, which discussed turning a volunteer position into a full-time job.)

You also might think about offering your services as a freelancer, says Ms. Arnold.

"Some nonprofits run at a sophisticated level and have a significant budget -- and others are operating on a shoestring," she says. "To either organization, freelancers can be valuable to help with discrete projects or stretch budgets without adding regular staff to their budget lines."

In addition, if you haven't already, think about building experience in an analogous field in the for-profit world, she suggests. "Community relations for a nonprofit can encompass elements of press relations, journalism, graphic design, Web design, bulk-mail procedures, social and fund-raising events, program development, and many areas of financial development, including grant writing, membership solicitations, and capital campaigns. People in charge of not-for-profit hiring will be impressed with expertise and experience in any or all of these fields," she says -- which just might help you land an entry-level spot.