Getting a job in the nonprofit world isn’t always easy. At many organizations the process can be highly competitive, and it can be a struggle to get noticed. 

To help you land the position you want, here are five simple ways to stand out when you’re applying for a nonprofit job:

1. Do your research.

No two nonprofit jobs are the same. Even organizations with similar goals and ethoses have unique approaches to their work, so they’re looking for candidates who meet their specific requirements. 

One of the best ways to stand out during your job search is by thoroughly researching the individual nonprofits you’re applying to and using that information to adjust the applications you send in.

Get to know the organization’s mission, approach, and even its work culture. Most importantly, reread the job description and note any specific skills or experience the nonprofit is looking for.

While doing your research, ask yourself the following questions:

• What sets this nonprofit apart from similar organizations? 
• Do your interests and passions align with the nonprofit’s mission?
• Do you see yourself fitting into their office culture?

Once you’ve done some research, adjust your resume and cover letter (and any other job application documents) to target the specific job you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a social media management job at a nonprofit that’s focused on building support among young people, use your job application to highlight your experience with platforms that are popular with their target audience, such as TikTok.

2. Focus on your passions.

When you’re applying for a nonprofit job, it’s essential to highlight your passions. The nonprofit sector is all about passion—passion for the cause, passion for the work, passion for making a difference. 

So in crafting your application, be sure to emphasize what drives you to work in this sector. Don’t be afraid to get personal and share your own story if you think it’ll resonate with the hiring manager.

For example, if you’re applying for a position at a nonprofit that focuses on animal welfare, explain why you want to work in this specific field. Maybe you had an experience with the factory farming industry that spurred your interest in animal rights. Whatever your reason for wanting to work in the nonprofit sector, let the hiring manager know you’re passionate about the work you do.

The best way to do this is by writing a unique cover letter that highlights what drives you to work in the nonprofit sector and how your interests align with the organization’s mission. In your introduction, give employers insight into what causes you’re passionate about and why. This helps employers understand immediately why you’re a good fit for the organization.

3. Highlight your relevant skills.

While having a passion for your work is important, hiring managers also want to see that you have the hard skills needed to do your job well. 

Hiring managers clearly state the technical skills they’re looking for in the “Requirements” section of the job ad and will usually even include examples of personality traits they want candidates to have.

Make it easy for them to find what they’re looking for by highlighting your relevant skills throughout your resume and cover letter. An important tip for your resume is that you should plainly list your expertise in the skills section of your resume, as well as mention them in the context of your work experience. If you really want to showcase specific expertise in one area, you can even include examples in your resume summary (if you have one) to immediately show employers you have the right qualifications.

4. Update your social media profiles.

Social media is an essential part of representing yourself as a professional. Most people know by now to at least keep their public social media profiles work-appropriate (or hide what they don’t want employers to see), but social media also has the potential to actively aid your job search and help you stand out as a candidate.

Many successful professionals in the nonprofit sector use social media not just to connect with friends but also to raise awareness about issues they care about. Especially on platforms like Twitter and Instagram, you can discuss with a larger audience what you care about and connect with other people who share your passion. By using social media as a platform, you’ll also naturally build a professional brand for yourself, which can help attract the attention of potential employers in the nonprofit world.

In addition, studies suggest that nonprofits aren’t maximizing their impact on social media to the extent that they could be. Even if your job has nothing to do with social media, showing organizations that you’re savvy with it is a good way to stand out from other candidates and show that you have extra skills that could benefit them.

5. Be creative in your approach. 

Nonprofit organizations are always looking for new and innovative ways to raise awareness and funds for their cause. 

So when applying for a job in the nonprofit sector, be sure to highlight your creativity. Provide examples in your resume’s work experience section of times when you used an unconventional approach to solve a problem or tried a new process to help the organization adapt.

You can also show off your creative side by using a novel approach to the job application process. For example, send in a video resume or use a nontraditional resume format to help your application stand out.

However, be sure to check how formal the organization you’re applying to is before sending in nontraditional application materials. If the nonprofit you want to work at has more of a start-up feel, then a video resume is probably okay. But if you’re applying to a more buttoned-up organization like a legal aid nonprofit, you should stick to a formal resume and cover letter.

No matter what type of nonprofit you want to work at, these simple tips can help you stand out as an applicant and improve your chance of landing the job. Now, it’s time to start sending out applications and preparing for those interviews.

Conrad Benz is a senior editor and resume expert at Resume Genius, where he helps jobseekers craft standout resumes and launch their careers.