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How to Break Into the Nonprofit Sector

Idealist can help you land your first social-impact role (without starting at square one). Explore our resources and job opportunities for aligning your personal values with a professional career.

Handy Tools for Your Job Search

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Social-Impact Resume Template

Use our Resume Roadmap to discover tips and resources for customizing your resume.

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Designing Your Dream Career Course

Plan out steps for landing your dream career with our free email course.

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Nonprofit Cover Letter Guide

Learn how to personalize your cover letter for every kind of nonprofit job.

More Resources for Sector Switchers

Getting started in the sector

Before applying for a nonprofit job, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the terms, lingo, and types of organizations that are common in our sector. Here are some resources to help you get started:

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How much money can you earn in a nonprofit job?

Explore nonprofit salaries, make informed decisions about your career, and learn how to negotiate salary before accepting a job:

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Which nonprofit job should you pursue?

The social-impact sector offers a wide range of opportunities to grow useful skills, advance your career, and make a positive impact in the world. But with so many possibilities to consider, how can you know which nonprofit job is right for you?

Highlight your transferable skills

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Grad Calendar

Considering graduate school?

Explore Jobs on Idealist