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First, you have to see where the non-profits are-- where do you want to work and live? What interests you about development? What is your fundraising background? An employer wants someone who has the skill sets to be successful, but above all, an entry level player must be a good fit with the exisiting staff.

Ignore the large job websites. Employers resort to posting on those sites out of desperation when their personal network and colleagues fail to come through with referrals of decent candidates. Call it unfair, but I'd much rather hire someone I know or know through a fellow worker/industry professional. (Think of it like the sorority recommendations that come in at recruitment-- those girls stand out because someone you know has recommended them.)

Start subscribing to list-servs who post jobs, network with sorority alumnae and get involved in a community activity where you can increase your networking and practical application of development skills.

If you are relocating and waiting to find a job before you move, just GO. Employers are more likely to hire someone who is already living in the area. Why waste time interviewing someone entry level who lives 3 states away when they may take the job and mid-move change their mind, which starts over the process of the employer having to look for someone.

Do you have a master's degree and you are looking for an entry-level position? Take your master's degree off your resume. That's right. Lie. You are applying for an entry level paying job. Someone sees your master's degree on there and immediately discounts you--- why should I hire you and pay you more when you have just as much real experience (or less) than someone with just a BA? The only people who need master's degrees are those who have experience in their field and are looking to take it to the next level (not entry level) or those who can't be employed without it (Industrial Psychologists, Doctors, Speech Pathologists, Lawyers and some Social Workers, among others.) If you're fresh out of undergrad and diving back in for an MA, stop and ask yourself why. You could be making yourself unemployable at the entry level--- and if you come out of a master's with no practical work experience, you're doubly up a creek without a paddle. That and for every 10 MA's I know, 9 are miserable with their degree and student loans because they didn't take the time to work in their field before continuing on to higher education. Again, this is true of some fields, not all. But with non-profit, marketing and communication, a master's degree is useless at the entry level. Internships and volunteer work relevant to the position are what will get your foot in the door-- both as a resume builder and as a potential to go from intern to full-time worker at the same place.

Tailor every cover letter and every resume to the job you are applying for. Don't waste their time or yours with a blanket cover letter addressed to "Sir or Madam" telling them your "Educational background makes you qualified to handle indepth analyses across a variety of complex platforms, which makes you well suited to the position." What the hell does that mean? Exactly. Use plain English. Resumes should be no longer than one page. Cover letters should be no longer than one page. You have not done anything to this point in your life worthy of two pages. Leave off summer jobs baking bread and painting houses. In your letter, express why the job interests you, how you heard about it, that you want an interview, and throw out a couple of pre-professional or working life highlights that stand out about you. The average employer will take about 8 seconds to scan your resume. Make it stand out.

If you are asked to an interview, immediately send a hand-written thank you note to follow up the next day. It does make a difference and helps keep you top of mind to the employer.

- Qualifications to dispense advice is based on 5+ years of personal interviewing, relocating and hiring/intervewing experience. PM if you'd like any resume writing advice. The job search can be a challenge, but it is something you need to be committed to in order to see results. I'm happy to help.