by Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network
So you’ve applied for what could be your dream job at a great nonprofit in Tennessee. You send off your resume and cover letter, and you wait. And wait. And wait. Finally, you receive a form email from the organization letting you know you didn’t even make it to the first round of the interview process. How could this be? What happened? You were perfect, right?
I have made some wonderful hiring decisions in my life and some that I will regret until the day I die. What I do know is that some of my best hires are people who weren’t necessarily the best fit on paper, or they were a little underqualified. They still got the job, though, and I can tell you that every one of those people had one similar quality: their resumes and cover letters stood out even if they didn’t perfectly fit the criteria. They landed an interview because of their special attention to detail, and because of that, they were given the chance to show how great they were in the in-person interview.
Recognizing that every leader has a different decision-making process, the tips below won’t necessarily guarantee an interview, but they will at least give you a leg up on the competition. Sometimes, even the most dedicated do-gooder gets stuck in the application abyss, never landing that coveted interview. Today, we’re spilling the 501(c)tea on some of the basic reasons your resume might be getting the thumbs down.
Secret #1: The Robotic, Say Nothing Cover Letter
We all know the importance of a killer cover letter. It’s your chance to serenade the hiring manager with your passion and experience, like a love song for the cause. But here’s the thing: a generic, AI-generated love song is just creepy. Ditch the “Dear Hiring Manager” templates and robotic platitudes. AI is great, y’all, but it has yet to truly replicate the passion and power of a great cover letter. I can spot a cover letter template from a mile away. You wouldn’t write a dating profile that says “enjoys long walks on the beach and… uh… making a difference?” Show them why this particular mission ignites your soul! Give specific examples of how you relate to the mission of the organization, how your previous experience is relevant, and what you hope to gain by joining the team. Tell us a story with your cover letter.
Secret #2: The Job Hopping Houdini – But Can You Actually Do Magic?
The nonprofit world thrives on stability. But let’s be honest, sometimes life throws curveballs. Now, a history of short stints doesn’t automatically disqualify you. If your resume reads like a travel brochure, be prepared to explain those quick exits. Did you gain valuable skills in each role? Focus on the transferable skills you learned, not just the number of jobs you’ve had. Be sure to explain why you may have “job hopped” in your resume and give good reasons that doesn’t disparage the organization…that’s an even worse look than job hopping.
You may have worked at some terrible places, but remember that hiring managers are looking for patterns in your resume and cover letter. What’s the common denominator in all of your previous short-term work experiences? You. One might easily (if not wrongly) assume that you are the problem. And no one wants to hire an employee who will be gone within a year. Replacing employees costs more money than it does to hire them!
Secret #3: The Application Instructions Aren’t Written to Not Be Read
Nonprofits often have specific application processes for a reason (it’s not just to torture applicants, I swear!). Following directions shows respect for their time and helps streamline the process. Don’t be that person who ignores the “attach resume in PDF format only” request and sends a blurry picture of your CV on a napkin. (This actually happened.)
Secret #4: The Grammar Gremlin – Your Worst Nightmare (But Not As Scary as Never Getting the Interview)
Let’s face it, typos happen. But a resume riddled with grammatical errors screams “didn’t even proofread!” Luckily, we live in a world of AI spellcheckers! Use them! But remember, AI can’t replace good writing.
Secret #5: The Leadership Whisperer – They Can’t Hear You If You Don’t Actually Lead
Talking about your “leadership skills” is one thing. Demonstrating them is another. Did you spearhead a project that made a difference? Did you mentor a colleague? Show, don’t tell! Use specific examples to paint a picture of your leadership prowess. So many cover letters and resumes talk about people’s leadership competencies, team spirit, etc. without showing any evidence.
So there you have it, folks! By avoiding these not-so-secret pitfalls, you can transform your application from “meh” to “YES PLEASE!” Remember, the key is to be genuine, showcase your skills, and (bonus points!) make them understand why you care so much about the mission of their organization. Now go forth and conquer the nonprofit job market!