How To Transition From Working In Not-For-Profit Organizations To For-Profit Organizations

If you are a nonprofit professional looking to change your career, switching to the private sector can be a rewarding move. Several women we talked to who have made that transition said they are happier than they were in their previous roles, citing reasons such as higher salaries, better work life balance, more collaborative cultures and more experts in their field to learn from as reasons.

Here are a few nuggets of wisdom that they learned from their own experiences.

You may be drawn to the nonprofit sector because of a mission, and thus might have some reservations about moving to a company that is more profit driven. However, if you are switching to the private sector, it is important to discard those biases and go in with a clean slate. 

“I wish I hadn’t heard so much vilifying of the private sector; it’s been a great experience for me so far,” said Ellery Weil, a former academic who works at an education company.

Another part of keeping an open mind: becoming comfortable with a larger, more matrixed company.

“I think some people can get intimidated by it because it is so big and some people thrive more in a smaller environment, but I just look at it as more people to learn from,” said Jen Ewing, who switched from working at a major teaching hospital to a medical device company.

If you are a mission-driven individual looking to leave the nonprofit sector, find a company or role that allows you to stick to your core values and find meaning in your work.  

“Find a job that you can personally identify with the mission for, what the company does or what you’re doing day-to-day,” said Audrey Stout, a benefits analyst.

Audrey also stressed that profiting and making a positive impact are not mutually exclusive. She said she has found purpose in helping employees understand their benefits. 

“Ultimately the company is for-profit, but that doesn’t mean they’re not doing something beneficial to society,” Audrey said.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, for-profit employees have historically earned 4-7% more than their nonprofit counterparts in similar roles. However, it is important to be aware of the standard salary range for your role.

“I would say you should do your research on salary so that you’re not getting the low end of the salary just because you don’t know what you would be getting,” Audrey said. 

According to LinkedIn, showing your transferable skills is one of the most important steps in transitioning from a for-profit to a nonprofit career. In the interview, make sure to give specific examples of how you used these skills and how you can connect them to a new role.

For example, if you are a marketer switching from nonprofit to for-profit, talk about a successful campaign you spearheaded and how you can leverage your knowledge of paid search campaigns or social media in the new role. Even when you have the job, you can build confidence in applying your old skills to new settings. 

One key difference between nonprofit and for-profit organizations is a focus on revenue rather than fundraising. If you are moving to the private sector, Jen advises becoming comfortable with thinking beyond your own individual projects and focus on how your work impacts company’s overall sales growth. 

“I felt more driven by trying to improve for the company,” Jen said. 

Whether you are thinking about leaving the nonprofit sector, actively interviewing, or accepting an offer, doing your research and learning from other’s experiences can help you navigate a new company and new way of doing business.

It is important to remember that you can bring your own experience and knowledge to the table to help you transition to a new company and add value to a new position.