October 17, 2008
Seasoned Workers From Outside the Charity World Appeal to Many Nonprofit Employers, Study Finds
By Suzanne Perry
Half of nonprofit employers say people who decide they want to work for charities late in their careers or after they have retired are highly appealing job candidates, while 39 percent say they are somewhat appealing, according to a new survey.
Almost 70 percent said that such workers would bring valuable experience to the job, 67 percent that they would bring commitment and reliability, and 62 percent that they would be effective mentors for younger people.
When asked which serious concerns they had about older workers, 25 percent said they might require higher salaries than people who had spent their careers working at nonprofit organizations, 23 percent they might be reluctant to learn new technology, and 20 percent they might lack the necessary technical or professional skills.
The survey — sponsored by Civic Ventures, a think tank in San Francisco that promotes what it calls “encore careers” for older workers, and the MetLife Foundation, in New York — last spring polled 427 nonprofit groups that focus on social services, education, health care, and the environment. It sought to assess views toward job candidates who decide to change the type of work they do in later life because they want to contribute to the public good.
Among its other findings:
- Seventy percent said they had employed late-career or previously retired workers in the past few years. Those groups were more likely to find such employees highly appealing (53 percent) than other employers (40 percent).
- Forty-two percent said recruiting and hiring talented people was a top human-resources concern, and 45 percent thought that challenge would get harder in the future.
- Ninety percent said they offer part-time work and 86 percent offer flexible schedules, but only 40 percent allow employees to work from home or from mobile offices.
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According to the above survey, I should have no problem finding a non-profit sector job, but I have absolutely no idea where to begin! I’ve been given several well known websites, but find I’m going round and round filling out websites and coming up with no matches. Just how do I find such a part-time job? Please advise. Thank you.
— janice Oct 20, 04:33 PM #
First of all ask your friends and neighbors about places they volunteer or work. This will provide you great insight into your community. Also make sure that the non profit is a place for which you can have passion and energy. I began my new career at 65.
— Rebecca Oct 22, 11:11 AM #
The two best sources of new nonprofit jobs would be the Chronicle of Philanthropy website, where you can sort by state, and the website of you local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). AFP members are always willing to consult with you, direct you toward positions in your community, and help you craft your resume to appeal to nonprofit HR and EDs.
— Earl Oct 23, 09:19 AM #
Another great resource to explore nonprofit management and leadership job opportunities as well as moving into the nonprofit sector is the Bridgestar website (www.bridgestar.org). Besides its job board, it has an entire section devoted to “bridging” to the nonprofit sector. You can read how-tos on moving from for-profit to nonprofit work, read interviews with people who have done it, and even find sample resumes.
— Carole Oct 28, 02:04 PM #