Using your experience at a large NFP to your advantage

Working for a large international charity isn’t always a positive when it comes to looking for a new job. NGO Recruitment’s Lois Freeke explains how to make the transition process easier.

Jobseekers from large international non-government organisations (INGOs) and charities can sometimes face negative stereotypes. Hiring managers can regard these candidates as being less agile, overpaid and doing jobs that are not relevant to their needs. 

This is because INGOs are known for their complex business processes that have an impact on how people work and behave in the workplace.

It’s also difficult to transfer experience out of INGOs when looking for new roles. Organisations affiliated with the United Nations, for example, have positions with titles like ‘technical officers’, ‘section heads’, or ‘peacekeepers’, which are not found in smaller NGOs or other organisations in the for-purpose sector.

If you’re a jobseeker transitioning from an INGO, it’s important to market yourself effectively throughout your job search, from the application process to the interview.

Here are some ways you can maximise your chances of landing a new role:

• Translate your experience into the language of the organisation you are applying to join. Avoid jargon and abbreviations that a hiring manager may not understand.
• If you have a very ‘market-unfriendly’ job title that doesn’t exist in your target organisation, use a more widely spread equivalent on your LinkedIn profile and resume.
• Pay attention to how you present your cultural fit to your target organisation. If they are seeking traits such as agility and flexibility, address those in your application and profile. 
• Your cover letter and LinkedIn summary section are good places to show your working or leadership style. Practise your career impact stories to demonstrate the results you have created in a larger organisation context, and show how they will benefit your target employer.
• Make sure your motivation for your target organisation and its mission is clear. After working with an INGO, a smaller organisation may assume you are not interested in staying with them long-term.
• Get referred to a position by building your network of allies to help recommend you to the hiring managers and decision-makers in your target organisations. 
• Plan ahead, don’t wait until you have been with the same large organisation for so long that you might be seen as too senior or too institutionalised and a ‘flight risk’.

This article was originally published on NGO Recruitment’s website.