For the past five months, I worked as an interim Marketing Associate for a non-profit in my area. It was only 25 hours a week and I was working retail on the side to pay bills. The marketing position ended on Wednesday (I was covering for someone on maternity leave and she came back).
The non-profit has a Communications and Social Media Coordinator position available, but again, it's only part-time, but not interim (somewhere in between 15-20 hours a week). I would keep my retail job.
My question is, are the part-time positions worth it in order to build my resume? I eventually would like to work as a full-time marketing director, but there really aren't any jobs in my area in the marketing field that allow less than 3 years of experience. Will the part-time positions for small non-profit actually be taken seriously on a resume or would I be wasting my time? I've been trying to get a full-time marketing job since I graduated 3 and a half years ago.
TIA for your advice!
Re: Marketing people come in
Absolutely! Non-profits need marketing and advertising just as much as for-profits do! Experience is experience.
I did an internship with a non-profit in college (marketing). I think the key is to try and get into and "own" as many projects as possible (without being an office nazi...lol).
I found that working in non-profits allowed me a ton of experience simply because there was a ton to do and fewer people to do it.
Thanks! My interview is Tuesday and I feel pretty confident about it. The job description is pretty much exactly what I did in my previous position at the non-profit and all the people liked me and kept telling that they wished I was sticking around. My old supervisor has already emailed the lady I'm interviewing with telling her that she highly recommends me for the job.
I'll let you know what happens.
I would absolutey take it, especially if you are ok working part time. Social media marketing is the new "it thing" and people are ALWAYS looking for employees with actual experience in that field not just someone that says they are good on facebook. This is a great resume builder.
Also, I currently work in an off shoot of the non-profit marketing sector (we are a for profit company helping with non-profit acquisition). I think it would be beneficial to you to use your company's membership to DMA or NDMA to do some kind of training.
I know they offer DM 101 courses all over the country that are realyl great to network and meet others in the industry and is great for someone getting their foot in the door.
If your non-profit isn't a member, perhaps its something you can research and explain the benefits to them.
Also, every year there is a Bridge conference in DC. Whether or not you are able to attend, I would check out their power points and uploads from break out sessions- there is great learning material. The Bridge is actually JUST for non-profit marketing teams so its another great learning tool. I follow them on facebook. Plus. I always think its great to pull up the keynote speakers, and check out their companies-- that's a great way to look for job opportunities.