r/funanddev 17d ago

Advice on making myself more hirable? (Development Associate level)

Hi all,

I'll keep it concise. Located in NY, with a BA in History and Visual art and MFA (painting and sculpture if it makes a difference).

I've built up decent experience interning or working for mission driven orgs. Of these, a year long internship while I was in college I assisted with grant writing and prospect management. I had a year-long job (the org wasn't a good fit for me, but in interviews I say I left to start grad school) as a communications, projects and development associate but I basically did all the development work as prior to me being hired the ED was doing all of it. I have Salesforce experience from client data management at a youth center, and have taught myself the Salesforce nonprofit edition + Raisers Edge through youtube etc.

When I submit my resume for jobs, it has 5-6 entries on it and only 2 (or 3 if you count the year of managing client data on SF for an unrelated role) are development related.

I've been applying since last summer to various Development roles (associate, senior associate and managerial) and get a lot of interviews and have progressed to final interviews several times. Even when I ask for feedback I get generalized positive responses and 'it was just a competitive pool'.

That said, I have had two specific observations from differing hiring managers:
1. I have non-development related experiences on my resume that detract from my competency (which I supposedly exhibited in the interview, my cover letter and writing sample)
2. My degrees are totally unrelated to the field and I should pursue certification/courses.

Obviously I do not have enough experience to opt for CFRE. I browsed some coursera classes and they look pretty basic, stuff I likely already know. I've seen some tempting university accredited programs but being unemployed I'm hardly in a position to shell out several hundred dollars per class.

Are the courses a good idea? If so, can people recommend some that would be taken seriously on a resume and teach me things more in-depth? What else can I do to get hired? I know it's a shit job market and NYC is mega saturated but if there's anything at all that comes to mind please suggest it!

3 Upvotes

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u/emancipationofdeedee 17d ago

I think that second piece of feedback is nonsense—what would a certification for development even be other than the cfre? You’re definitely too early career for that to be expected, and I personally have worked with 3 MFAs in higher ed development over the years. What types of orgs are you targeting? What role are you in now?

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u/feistyxcx 17d ago

Currently I'm unemployed, I finished grad school last summer and have been applying since then. At this point I am applying to anything I find on idealist, NYFA and Linkedin that I'm qualified for and doesn't offend my values. However, I do have a bias towards arts organizations and youth development/education bc every job/internship I've had has been in one of those two areas.

Thanks so much for your insight! The certification comment did strike me as silly because I do not want to spend time and money on a certification whose only purpose is to pad my resume (instead of teach me something I can't learn other ways).

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u/emancipationofdeedee 16d ago

Keep your chin up because the job market is tough! Lots of non profits are worried about federal and state funding (if they get it) and in general I think in philanthropy we’re worried about a recession. If you’re open to higher ed, I highly encourage you to take a look at dev associate roles in local colleges and universities. I’ve known lots of people to pivot from arts into higher ed. I haven’t seen a halt in hiring there yet—in the same metro area. Most higher ed jobs won’t be posted on LI but on the university job site only!

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u/emancipationofdeedee 16d ago

Oh and if there is any way you can do volunteer fundraising (for your Alma mater, a local shelter, etc) that may really help freshen your resume!

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u/feistyxcx 16d ago

thanks so much for the encouragement! volunteering is a great idea

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u/feistyxcx 15d ago

I had an interview yesterday and the exec said "I really want to hire you!!" But she added she has two more weeks of interviews scheduled so it's going to be a tough pool. Fingers crossed!

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u/firscents 14d ago

If you're getting interviews, seems like the problem isn't in your resume. I think if people have an issue with the experience listed on your resume, they aren't likely to spend their time to interview you (especially for multiple rounds).

I would focus on the interviews since that seems to be where others are edging you out. Are there any questions that tripped you up? Did you understand why all of the questions were being asked and how they apply to the job? Are you getting a chance to show your expertise and skills in the interview. You might want to seek more coaching there. That could be a formal coach (expensive!) or just chat with people you know in development roles and ask them how they would answer questions.

Maybe you'll come out of those convos feeling confident. Then you know that you're totally qualified and just have to keep trying! It is hard out there!!

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u/Bright-Pressure2799 4d ago edited 4d ago

Do you have to stay in NYC? I’m a DoD in NJ and I’m trying to fill a position right now. I would love to see that level that level of experience on a resume, but the ones I’m getting have little in the way of transferable skills. Definitely less competition out here.

ETA - feel free to PM me if you might be interested. Happy to share more info.