In the UK, the not-for-profit sector employs over 850,000 people and contributes £18.2 billion to the economy. It plays a vital role in addressing social issues and providing essential services to vulnerable populations.

However, the sector faces significant recruitment challenges that is hindering its ability to attract and retain the top talent required to achieve growth and success, with many talented individuals overlooking the non-profit sector in favour of the private sector. 

It’s crucial therefore to identify the various benefits of working for a not-for-profit organisation and why it's worth considering this career path.

Sense of purpose and job satisfaction

Working for a not-for-profit organisation is not just a job; it's an opportunity to make a difference in people's lives and this is one of the most significant benefits - the sense of purpose and job satisfaction that comes with it.

In a survey conducted by Not-for-profitJob, 95% of not-for-profit workers said they felt their work was making a difference. Working for a not-for-profit organisation allows individuals to use their skills and expertise to help others and contribute to a cause they care about.

Whether it's working to alleviate poverty, providing healthcare to underserved communities, or advocating for human rights, not-for-profit organisations work towards creating a better world. By working for a not-for-profit organisation, individuals can be part of this change and make a lasting impact.

Achieving self-actualisation

Many successful individuals have chosen to work for not-for-profit organisations, including Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai, who founded the Malala Fund to promote girls' education, and Bill Gates, who has donated billions of dollars to not-for-profit through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Whilst it’s much easier to choose a charitable path if you already have the fame and fortune to support it, nevertheless these individuals have used their resources and influence to make a significant impact on the world, and their work has inspired others to follow in their footsteps.

This is reflective of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs motivational theory. This suggests human needs are arranged in a hierarchy, with the most basic needs such as physiological needs and safety needs at the bottom, followed by psychological needs such as love and belongingness, esteem needs, and self-actualization needs at the top.

The theory proposes that individuals must satisfy their basic needs before moving up the hierarchy to fulfil higher-order needs, but as long as those basic needs are being satisfied, a career in the not-for-profit sector can enable an individual to achieve the self-actualisation and fulfilment at the very top of the hierarchy.

Comparison with the private sector 

While the private sector may offer higher salaries, working for a not-for-profit organisation provides individuals with a unique set of benefits and these should be emphasised within your job adverts.

For example, not-for-profit organisations often offer more flexible working arrangements than private sector organisations. Although private sector organisations increased their flexible working post-pandemic, this is gradually being scaled back.

There is likely to be greater job security in the not-for-profit sector compared with private organisations where there is continuous pressure to cut costs and deliver shareholder value.

Additionally, working for a not-for-profit organisation provides individuals with a sense of purpose and the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives, which can be more fulfilling than a high-paying job in the private sector.

Addressing potential concerns

While salary is likely to be a concern for some individuals considering a career in the non-profit sector, it's important to note that not-for-profit organisations still offer competitive salaries and benefits, and this should be highlighted within your job advert.

Additionally, job security can be enhanced by building a strong network, developing a diverse skill set, and staying up-to-date with industry trends.

Summary 

It’s vital not-for-profit organisation highlight the reasons to choose them within their job adverts, including the major opportunity to make a difference in people's lives, contribute to a cause they care about, and experience a greater sense of purpose and job satisfaction – perhaps even achieving self-actualisation.

While the private sector may offer higher salaries, the unique benefits of working for a not-for-profit organisation make it a worthwhile career path to consider.

So ensure your job adverts highlight this so your prospective candidates can start making a difference today!

About Us

At Hiring Wizard, we have over a decade of success delivering optimised, fully branded recruitment campaigns using the very best job boards, achieving significant recruitment cost savings for a variety of businesses across the UK including a number of not-for-profit organisations. 

Put simply, we are brilliant at targeting and attracting the right candidate(s) for all kinds of vacancies, delivering excellent hires for a fraction of what you might pay to a traditional recruitment agency. We utilise a state-of-the-art Applicant Tracking System and have even helped our clients with their Employer Branding and dedicated careers microsites. 

So if you’re struggling to attract the right talent from your job adverts or a recruitment agency, why not give Hiring Wizard a call on 0161 696 8899 or drop us an email at info@hiringwizard.co.uk? Our dedication to ensuring our clients’ adverts are seen by the best talent means we can deliver much more diverse, quality, and quantity, of candidates.