How HandsOn Network Can Help You Build Your Nonprofit Resume

by Rosetta Thurman

Published October 16, 2009 @ 06:08PM PT

You've gone to school, earned a great GPA, but you're still going to have a rough time landing the nonprofit job of your dreams. Why? Because you have no experience. Like at all. As in, you've never stepped foot in a nonprofit ever. Oh sure, you dropped a few quarters into the Salvation Army bucket during the holidays, but that doesn't count. Neither does buying Girl Scout cookies. What you need to move your resume to the top of the pile is some evidence that you know something about working in a nonprofit organization. Even if you really haven't. That's where a good volunteer leadership experience can help. Notice I said volunteer leadership, not just a simple volunteer experience where you helped clean up a river. I mean, an experience where you actually made things happen. A time when you were the one running the show. I know what you're thinking. How are you supposed to find such a golden opportunity? Cue up the happy movie music. Today is your lucky day. Meet the HandsOn Network.

HandsOn Network inspires, equips and mobilizes people to take action that changes the world. Through our network of more than 250 HandsOn Action Centers, you can find volunteer projects and programs that align your passion with real needs in your local community. You can get trained to become a volunteer leader, or you can use your professional skills to get a local non-profit organization on track. The options are endless. Our Action Centers are in more than 250 communities across the country and 11 international locations. They reach 83% of the population, facilitating more than 30,000 projects a month.

Our network also includes more than 70,000 nonprofit, faith, education and community-based organizations. There truly is something for everyone who wishes to engage in service. If you don't see something you like, don't worry - your local HandsOn Action Center will help you design, develop and manage a project that really gets your blood pumping!

Sound pretty groovy? I thought you might like it. To get in on the action, the first thing you need to do is find your local center and check out the volunteer opportunities available and sign up for a few shifts with the type of nonprofit you'd like to work for. But don't just stop there. Offer to be the team leader for the volunteer assignments you choose. You will be responsible for organizing the other volunteers, coordinating with the nonprofit you'll be working with, and communicating with the staff of that particular volunteer action center. And when it's all over and done, be sure to type it all up on your resume. Under "Leadership Experience." Has a nice ring to it, yes?