Q:  I have been thinking about changing my job for a long time.  I vow to do this every January, but haven’t taken steps to make my resolution a reality.  Specifically, I am interested in finding a position at a non-profit.  I am worried about whether I can afford it, but want to start the process of exploring my options.  Can you help me make this year’s resolution more than just an empty promise?

Nancy in North Carolina.

A:  Dear Nancy:

You are not alone. Many lawyers have successfully transitioned to the non-profit arena, and many more are considering doing so in the future.

The transition to a non-profit has features common with any job search, but also has some unique qualities all its own.  As with any job search, the most successful candidates are those that can demonstrate why they are interested in the particular employer (as opposed to others in the same industry), and what they can do for that employer.  For many of our clients, this is the most challenging part of the job search, because if you don’t do this well at the beginning of the job search process, in a resume or otherwise, you don’t reach the interview stage of the process.

Therefore, it is important to identify clearly the types of positions you are interested in and what you can offer each prospective employer.  When dealing with transitions to non-profits, there are three general possibilities: 

To make this transition, the key is to identify your relevant transferable skills.  One way to identify such skills is to look at a posting for a position that might interest you and take note of the required skills.  For many of our clients, the key skills that they need to identify relate to managing people and budgets.  This is because managerial positions at nonprofits are more likely to pay more.  And compensation issues are often cited by attorneys as a significant barrier to making a transition to non-profits.

But don’t assume that all nonprofits pay peanuts.  To be sure, virtually all with nonprofits pay less than positions at large firms, but that is also true of almost all other defense-side private law firms.  I am personally aware of several senior level managers at non-profits whose base salaries exceed $100,000.  This is certainly the upper end of the range, and few people can transition directly to an Executive Director slot.  People don’t work at non-profits to become rich, but even the salaries paid mid-level managers at certain non-profits may allow you to live comfortably.  Likewise, fundraising or development positions may also pay more than other non-profit jobs, as the ability to raise funds is prized by virtually every non-profit.  Ultimately, you are in the best position to determine what positions you can afford financially, but if you have your heart set on working for a non-profit, don’t assume that financial considerations are an absolute bar to reaching your goal.

Finally, make sure you highlight that you are a good ideological fit for the nonprofit employer.  For example, if you are interested in an environmental group, demonstrate that you are interested in the cause.  This can be an important stumbling block for attorneys, especially if their legal work can create the impression that they prefer to serve clients whose interests are anathema to those served by the non-profit.  This obstacle can be overcome, but make sure that you express enthusiasm for the organization’s mission.  After all, it’s what binds employees to the non-profit; it makes it enjoyable and meaningful for them to work there. 

Third, instead of simply going to work for a non-profit, some attorneys start their own.  This is not common, but I have personally worked with attorneys and law students who have been instrumental in starting organizations such as charter schools.  If you are inclined to start such an organization, resources exist to help you.

Selected On-Line Resources About Non-Profits

There are a multitude of online sources where you can learn more about nonprofit careers, including those that list specific job openings.  Here are a few that you might find useful. 

www.idealist.org--contains a wide array of information about nonprofits and public service organizations; lists nonprofit positions nationwide, most of which do not require a law degree. 

http://philanthopy.com/jobs -- an excellent resource for those seeking to learn about the nonprofit market; excellent links to a wide array of resources; also includes a searchable database of nonprofit positions nationwide.

www.pslaw.net -- Affiliated with the National Association of Law Placement (NALP), this site collects hundreds of nonprofit opportunities for attorneys throughout the United States and abroad.  This site requires registration, although registration is available for free for students and alumni of numerous law schools.

www.cnmsocal.org –this site is operated by the Center for Nonprofit Management, which is based in Los Angeles, and provides consulting services to those who manage nonprofits.  This site contains a salary survey for nonprofits, and is a good resource for anyone thinking of starting or advising a nonprofit.  This is also a good resource for those who seeking to learn about seminars and other training opportunities that might ease their transition to a non-profit.  For example, the center hosts seminars on topics such as grant writing.   Similar organizations also exist in some other large cities.