Getting a job can be hard but it can be made at least a little easier by modifying your job search strategies. Down economies, lack of experience, lack of connections, not enough effort; these can be just a few of the many barriers to getting a job in the nonprofit sector. Read on for strategies and specific tactics that you should be using to beat unemployment.

The 10x rule

Grant Cardone, in his book The 10x Rule, talks about the 10x rule as being the only difference between success and failure. The 10x rule suggests that the amount of effort you think it takes to do something should be multiplied by ten times. This will guarantee you the results you are aiming for.

This is a great rule to apply to your job search. Many job seekers don’t cast a wide enough net. If you think it’s going to take 15 applications to get a job, use the 10x rule to multiply that to 150. You need to dig deep and put ten times the effort into your current job hunt. Many job seekers underestimate the amount of effort it will take to secure a great job. Don’t give up and stay persistent.

You versus the hundreds of others

In my work, I’ve had the opportunity to review a lot of job applications. At least 50% of these are generic resumes that could have been used to apply for a completely unrelated position. If you are applying for a nonprofit financial position, you had better make sure you are highlighting all of your financial experience and qualifications, as well as prior nonprofit work.

You must make it easy for your potential employer to see how you and your qualifications fit with the advertised position or your resume will pushed to the bottom of the pile. What many applicants don’t know is that any given job ad may result in hundreds of applications. If you think someone is going to hunt through your resume with a fine comb on their first look, you’ve already lost.

It’s important to consider how you can make your resume and cover letter stand out within the first few seconds of looking at it. A good tactic here is to have multiple versions of your resume that work for different job descriptions, so your resume clearly shows how your qualifications and achievements fit with different positions.

Getting around a lack of experience

Lack of experience can be one of the biggest reasons why people don’t get the job offers they are looking for. Remember that time is finite, so don’t bother applying to senior positions if you only have junior experience. Put your time and effort where it matters – with positions where you clearly meet the qualifications and experience required.

It is also important to manage your expectations correctly. If you are new to the sector or profession, you probably aren’t going to make top dollar yet. In this situation, the most important thing might be gaining the experience necessary to advance your career.

Once you understand how to assess your fit for a posted job, it’s time for some specific tactics.

If you are lacking in experience, consider volunteering as a way to fill out your resume. If you’d like to work for a particular organization, volunteering with them can be an excellent way to network and establish a good reputation – people tend to be far more interested in hiring someone they know firsthand is a good worker. If you are looking to gain real world experience in a specific profession, such as fundraising, look for volunteer opportunities that will allow you to use and develop these skills. You might also want to consider joining an organization’s board of directors.

Once you have some volunteer experience under your belt, be sure this is clearly highlighted on your resume. Especially in the nonprofit sector, there is nothing wrong with emphasizing your volunteer experience, provided it is relevant to the job you are applying for.

You may also need to get creative in finding the jobs that aren’t advertised on job boards. One of my favourite tricks is to search organization websites for an About Us or an Employment Opportunities section. Sometimes organizations will advertise here first before listing their job opening on other websites. Remember, the sooner you submit your application, the more likely you are to get noticed. Following an organization’s social media channels can also be a good strategy for finding out about possible opportunities.

Factor in the learning curve

A good project manager knows that the first time you do something it will take longer because you’ll need to work through a learning curve. Getting set up for your job search takes a lot of effort and creative thinking. Coming up with lists, folders for job searches, rss feeds for job opportunities and even learning how to talk in an interview will take time. Be patient with yourself and remember that each time you do something, whether it is successful or not, it is a good opportunity to practice your skills.

Edwin is an avid writer and marketer. He currently works at Toronto web design firm 9th sphere. Edwin used to hate the job hunting process, but now finds it a great opportunity to learn and grow.

Photos (from top) via iStock.com. All photos used with permission.