5 Ways to Make Your Job Application Stand Out During a Nonprofit Executive Search

by Gretchen Kunkel
Senior Search Consultant, The Moran Company
“We Find Great Nonprofit Executives”

At The Moran Company, we receive thousands of job applications every year for Executive Director and Fund Development positions in nonprofit organizations across the country. With so many applicants, how do you make your application stand out against others? Here are several tips from our recruiting team:

1. Write for the position profile. Too many applicants send a generic application instead of writing specifically for the position. For instance, if the position calls for 10 years of leadership experience, communicate how you have those years in your cover letter. Take time to highlight your skills and experiences and how they match with what the organization is seeking.
2. Discuss your achievements, not just your responsibilities. Although your prior responsibilities are important, understanding how you succeeded in those responsibilities is even more important. Also, make sure to tie your achievements to the organization so the reviewer has a better sense of context.
3. Make it complete and concise. Reviewers are looking for a complete picture of your career within a reasonable number of pages. Omitting information – such as tenure at an organization, job changes within an organization, or early career jobs – or submitting a resume that does not match your published professional history on sites such as LinkedIn often feels like you are hiding something from your background. Resumes that are too many pages causes the reviewer to wonder if you are able to be concise.
4. Review your application before you submit. Many applications have typos or list the wrong organization or person. Sure, mistakes happen, but you want to do everything in your power to prevent these and show your potential employer you are ready and serious about this position.
5. One Is Enough. We are perplexed by candidates who submit multiple applications for the same position. Whether it happens due to overexuberance or carelessness, reviewers tend to take these applications less seriously. If you are uncertain if your application has been received, just ask. There is no need to submit more than one application for a position.

The bottom line is that your cover letter and resume create our first impression of you. They should be presented in a way that clearly aligns your skills and background with the requirements presented in the position profile. If done thoughtfully and carefully, your efforts make it easy for the reviewer to see you are a good fit for the position. And, at The Moran Company, this likely means an invitation to interview.

If you are currently seeking a new employment opportunity as a nonprofit executive director or senior-level fundraiser, be sure to check our “Current Searches” page frequently. You are encouraged to apply separately for each position that interests you because we want to hear why you are an excellent fit for that specific role. If you are hoping to transition to the nonprofit sector after a successful career as a corporate leader, be sure to read: “Sector Switch: 5 Tips for Transitioning from Corporate Executive to Nonprofit Leader”.

© 2020  The Moran Company, “We find great nonprofit executives.” We specialize in searches for nonprofit executive directors, directors of development/fundraising staff, and other top nonprofit leadership. www.morancompany.com