In the realm of fundraising jobs, having the right resume is key. This article offers proven examples and strategic tips tailored for fundraising roles. Learn how to highlight your fundraising experience, quantify your achievements, and use industry-specific keywords to stand out to hiring managers. Whether you're an entry-level applicant or a seasoned professional, these practical insights can help you land the fundraising job you seek.
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Here's what we see in the best resumes for fundraising roles.
Show Impact With Numbers: Use metrics to show impact. Include
Include Skills From Job Descriptions: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are
Adapt To Digital Trends: Fundraising is moving online. Show experience with
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Upload your resume now to get a free, unbiased assessment. You'll receive a score and specific tips to improve your chances of landing that important fundraising role. This straightforward feedback can help you make your resume stronger and more effective.
Put your education near the top of your resume if you recently finished a degree. This helps employers see you are new to the field and that your latest schooling is relevant to fundraising. Especially if you studied a subject like non-profit management or marketing, highlighting this education early on can be very useful.
If you have been working in fundraising for years, list your education after your work experience. Focus on degrees and certifications that show skills in organizing events, understanding donor databases, or any training in persuasive communication, as these are key in fundraising. No need to include high school, unless it is your highest level of education.
For fundraising roles, emphasize key campaign successes. Include metrics like the amount of money raised, the size of donor databases you worked with, and any innovative approaches you led.
Clearly list these achievements under each relevant job. This gives a snapshot of your effectiveness and creativity in securing funds and engaging donors.
Keep your fundraising resume to one page if you have less than 10 years of related experience. This length shows you can prioritize information well. Focus on your most recent campaigns and the biggest amounts you have raised. Highlight roles where you led a team or project, as these show leadership skills.
For those with over 10 years of experience, two pages are acceptable. Put your most significant achievements in fundraising at the front. This helps because hiring managers tend to look at the first page more. Ensure good use of space and readability. Include only the most relevant information to make a strong impact quickly.
In fundraising, building and maintaining donor relationships is critical. Highlight your skills by mentioning specific examples where you succeeded in donor engagement, retention, and growth.
You can include details about successful donor events you organized or campaigns that led to long-term donor commitments. This demonstrates your ability to cultivate and manage essential relationships.
When you apply for fundraising roles, your resume may first be read by software called an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). It is important to format your resume so these systems can read it well.
Here are two key things you can do:
When applying for fundraising jobs, you need to show how your past work relates to raising funds. It is important to match your skills with what the job needs. Describe your past work in a way that shows you can do the fundraising job well.
You need specific skills to excel in fundraising. These are not just important for doing the job well but also for getting past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that many organizations use to scan resumes. Here's a list of skills you should consider including if they match your experience:
Choose skills that fit the job you want. For instance, if you're aiming for a role focused on digital campaigns, highlight your
Remember, you don't need to show every skill listed. Think about the specific tasks you'll be doing and choose the skills that best match those duties. If you have experience with
As a hiring manager, I value resumes that show clear evidence of leadership and career growth. When you apply for fundraising roles, it's important to highlight any experience that shows you have been a leader or have advanced in your roles.
Think about times when you had more responsibility or trained new team members. These are good examples of leadership. Remember to keep your descriptions simple and focus on the results of your leadership, like increased donations or successful events.
When you want to show your skills in fundraising, numbers speak louder than words. It's not enough to say you raised money; you need to show how much and what it did. This helps to make your past work clear and strong.
Think about your past work. Did you run campaigns? How much did you raise? For example:
When you are unsure of exact numbers, estimate. It's better to give a close idea than none at all. For instance, if you can't recall the exact
When you apply for roles in fundraising, it's important to show how you've grown into roles with more responsibility. This tells employers you can lead and take on bigger projects. Think about times you've guided a team or organized a big event.
Even if you're not sure about your leadership skills, look at any project where you had to make decisions or bring a group together. These are good signs of your ability to lead. Also, find ways to show numbers that prove your success, like how much money you raised or how many volunteers you managed.