Job Search Strategy: Working For A Cause You Support

From time to time, I work with job hunters whose career choice is to now work for a cause they support, even if their career has not been on that track. Perhaps they have reached a level of success in a lifelong career and now want to apply those skills in another field where they have strong beliefs. Maybe they have been volunteering for a non-profit and now want to make it a paid job.

This shift in careers can be very satisfying.

But first, do your research on salaries in organizations that support your beliefs, if the jobs are paid. Search online for “salary surveys” (e.g., Ranstad, Robert Half Int’l), check Payscale.com, Glassdoor.com. While some of these can be inaccurate because in some cases they depend on employees self-reporting instead of first-hand research, they can give some useful information.

Possible strategies

• Consider working as a volunteer at first so you get to know the organization and its culture

• “Job shadow” someone who works there in a role you might fill, to see what it’s really like

• Of course, you can skip the “trial” strategies and simply apply for and take a job there, but we strongly recommend doing as much research as possible.

Where are such jobs?

• Do searches on “turning your support for a cause into a career”, or “working a job that helps you give back”, or similar. 

• Check lists of non-profits in your area. Do searches on “non-profits” in your state or metro, and you will find some with lists organized by “helping children” or “helping veterans” or “Feeding the homeless”. A very good example: Minnesota Council of Non-Profits, at www.mncn.org.



• Organizations and factors to consider are the following:

§ A foundation that gives grant money to causes you supports

§ An organization that seeks out grant money for causes you support

§ A company whose products or profits support your favorite cause(s)

§ A marketing company that specializes in campaigns that promote or support your candidates

§ A think tank with consultants on board who advocate for causes you support

§ A publication that supports your causes

§ A social group that supports your causes

§ Business groups that support your beliefs

§ Working for a legislator or other elected leader whose stands you support

§ Theatre and the arts in the areas you support

§ Public health or other health advocacy organizations or groups

§ Non-profits of all kinds

§ Very union-based or very non-union-based companies

A final word

While each of the above may not lead to an actual job, the connections you make might prove to be fruitful, leading to other connections at organizations that need you.