3 Ways to Get Promoted Within Your First Year in a Nonprofit Job

by Rosetta Thurman

categories: Leadership, Personal Branding

Published September 18, 2009 @ 12:58PM PT

"Mediocrity is self-inflicted." - Walter Russell

Six months into her new position as a Development Associate at a small, youth development organization, a friend of mine (we'll call her Dana) realized that she was really doing the work of a Development Director. She was in her early 20s just starting out in her career. Yet Dana's job duties had become more and more complex, and while she enjoyed all the different aspects of fundraising, she felt that her title and salary should change due to the advanced nature of her work. In just six months, Dana had implemented their first online giving program, engaged new donors and successfully organized a large fundraising event that brought in thousands of dollars. When she came to the Executive Director to ask for a raise and a title change to Development Director, her boss was all too happy to oblige. After all, they certainly didn't want to lose Dana, a valuable employee with proven results.

Sound like a Cinderella story? Well, it's not. It's true, and Dana shows that young nonprofit professionals CAN get promoted very quickly in an organization if they play their cards right.

Ask for a Title Change
Especially if you work for a small nonprofit, where job descriptions and titles can be fluid, you can buck the system and get promoted "in title" as they say. If you find yourself with managerial duties on your plate, while working with the title of "Assistant," it may be time to have a conversation with your boss about what's possible. I would request a 30 minute meeting (don't make a big deal about it) and explain how your job description is really equivalent to that of a manager or director. It also helps to have a few job descriptions from other nonprofits handy to prove your point. You may not get a raise to go along with it, but future employers will always offer you more money if you have 'manager' or 'director' on your resume quicker than they will if all you have is a history of being an 'assistant.'

Do Your Job Really Well
The first year of a nonprofit job is critical. Don't be a slacker just because you can. Come in to work on time and do an excellent job within the position you were hired for. If you are in charge of a program or project, make sure it doesn't just get done, but do it in a remarkable way, on time and within budget. Instead of coming to work just to "do your job," try to exceed the goals that the organization has for you or your department. If you need to raise $100,000, raise $150,000. If you're tasked with recruiting 20 mentors, go out and find 25. While you'll still get a paycheck, doing the bare minimum is not going to be enough to get you promoted to a job with more responsibility and/or more pay. Doing your job well means going the extra mile when your colleagues need help, too.

Become a Rainmaker
A rainmaker is someone who has a knack for using their connections to benefit their company with new clients, customers, or investors.  When you come into a new nonprofit job, don't be afraid to use your personal networks to connect you to opportunities that will benefit the organization. If you belong to an alumni association, ask your fellow classmates to volunteer or donate to your cause. Put messages out on your Facebook and Twitter profiles to increase attendance at your nonprofit's events. Help garner press for your agency by calling in a favor from your friend who works at a local newspaper. If you can bring in new assets that the nonprofit didn't have before they hired you, your name will be at the top of the list when an internal leadership position opens up.

Dana was promoted within six months because she did a great job, brought in new assets, and then asked to be promoted. While it's easy to get comfortable in your job, you really have to stay at the top of your game if you want to move up in your career in your current organization or otherwise. What are some techniques that you've used to get promoted during your nonprofit career?