First impressions are a big deal. Like your resume, you need a great cover letter to give you an advantage. Nonprofit hiring managers say that cover letters make them pay attention to an application with more than 60% of nonprofit employers preferring to see a cover letter when looking at job applicants. Yet, many applicants still submit generic resumes with no introduction, no cover letter – and no chance of standing out. Without a cover letter, your application may never make it out of the slush pile. Keep reading to learn cover letter tips to “wow” California nonprofits and get that interview.
Why Nonprofit Cover Letters Are Important
Making an effective cover letter is simple once you understand what it should accomplish. Cover letters highlight your best traits and tell the story of how your skills can help the nonprofit. Job seekers should write a custom letter for each application. A well-written nonprofit cover letter is worth the effort because:
- It shows that you researched the organization
- It tells an engaging story, not a life story
- Focuses on your dedication to social impact work
- It lets them see your creativity and resourcefulness
Above all, your cover letter should express that you value the nonprofit’s mission. Nonprofit hiring managers must see that you care about the organization and its work.
What skills do nonprofit hiring managers value?
For-profit businesses value a set of skills that may differ from what nonprofit organizations need. Unsurprisingly, some work experience from for-profit companies is transferable to social impact work. However, if candidates don’t have all the skills initially, nonprofit managers seek those who are willing and able to learn, grow, and develop into highly valuable leaders.
Making the best impression possible starts with having the skill sets nonprofit hiring managers want. When compared side-by-side, some of these skills seem like management-level traits. As a nonprofit job seeker, you should:
- Teach and Train Others
- Have Empathy and Communication Skills
- Think Critically and Creatively
- Anticipate Stakeholders Needs
This isn’t an exhaustive list of traits, but it looks great on your job application. Nonprofit hiring managers want to see that you have the initiative to get things done. Your cover letter’s job is to convince them you’re a good fit.
The Anatomy of a Great Cover Letter for Nonprofits
The best format for your cover letter depends on the organization. However, the standard cover letter format for a nonprofit job is still the best and includes:
- The Header: Your header has your contact information on top.
- The Greeting: Don’t be too casual. Keep your greeting neutral and use the hiring manager’s name whenever possible.
- Introduction: Start with your attention-grabbing one-liner that explains why the position intrigues you.
- Cover Letter Body: Describe why you’re the best, using relevant context to the organization.
- Conclusion: Keep your conclusion short and sweet, and relate to the position one last time.
With a strong foundation, someone will notice your nonprofit cover letter, and it will be more effective.
Watch out for ChatGPT
Generative AI companies have developed tools for working in many industries. While 75.7% of marketers use AI tools for work, these tools are also valuable for general content writing. The use of AI tools in the workplace has sparked debate.
Hiring managers may reject AI-generated cover letters, suspecting plagiarism or lack of originality. AI tools are a great place to start, but the last thing you want is a hiring manager suspecting you of plagiarism.
AI is best for:
- Generating ideas
- Giving you a solid rough draft
- Helping with general editing
Depending on the tools, AI can also be helpful if you’re applying to several positions. If you inject none of your personality into the cover letter, your skills won’t matter. Even if you had some AI help, your voice needs to shine.
Dangers of one-size-fits-all approaches
That brings us to the next concern and why we caution against relying on AI. It may seem like we’re bashing AI, but it only writes what you feed it. Many people submit the same cover letter to multiple organizations.
After all, using a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach saves time. But with nonprofit cover letters, that’s a dangerous game. Hiring managers are not only interested in your capability to do the job, but also your passion or point of view for the cause.
A template won’t convey your passion or your years of experience. Sending a generic letter to every nonprofit hiring manager is what they call “cover letter killers.” Nonprofit hiring managers look for signs your cover letter uses generic messaging like:
- Using ‘Dear Hiring Manager’ or “To Whom It May Concern” instead of a specific name
- Copying large chunks of text from your resume
- Common language patterns associated with AI-generated texts
Each position will require different skills, and customizing your cover letter is a good idea. It’s about more than just making a single hiring manager happy.
Customize your cover letter for California nonprofits
Cover letters are your way of showing that you took great care in researching the organization. Those who personalize their cover letter receive more interview offers than those who don’t. Try these tactics when customizing your cover letter:
- Mentioning a Connection: Think about anyone you know working at the organization. Candidates with employee referrals are 4x more likely to land the job.
- Include a Story And an Achievement: Don’t just list your accomplishments. That’s what your resume did. Instead, tell a story that helps nonprofit managers visualize why your deeds matter.
- Use Keywords from the Job Description: Many companies use applicant tracking systems to scan for specific keywords. AI can help you include these relevant keywords to increase your chances.
- Use a Personalized Call-to-action (CTA): Customized CTAs perform 202% better than basic ones. They are important in telling the nonprofit hiring manager what you want to do next, like asking for an interview.
Avoiding Common Mistakes in Your Nonprofit Cover Letter
Cover letters can make or break your chances of securing a dream job. Common mistakes can quickly sabotage your efforts. Avoid these pitfalls:
- Being Too Formal: While maintaining professionalism is crucial, you should show your personality and genuine interest in the cause.
- Ignoring The Culture: Each nonprofit has a unique culture and value system. Ignoring this in your cover letter can lead to a disconnect.
- Focusing on Your Needs: Your cover letter shouldn’t just be about what the organization can do for you. Focus on your contributions to their mission.
Final Thoughts
Crafting an impressive cover letter for a nonprofit organization is about more than listing your skills and experiences. You must show your passion for their cause, understand their culture, and convince them why you’re the best candidate. Avoid common mistakes and focus on your value to their organization.
These strategies will help you stand out and get closer to landing your dream job in the social impact sector in Southern California.
