13 Tips To Finding A Social Innovation Job

Looking for a social innovation job? No matter how you define social innovation, we got the latest tips and guidelines for finding a career in this growing sector.  We’ve curated feedback from different social innovation insiders to bring you this list.

1. DON’T JUDGE A JOB BY ITS TITLE.

Social innovation jobs don’t always have the most obvious names. Don’t just search for “social innovation” as companies have different names for their jobs. Use Bmeaningful and other resources to help curate the jobs out there. Be a detective and look into the job responsibilities to see opportunities for impact.

 2. THINK BROAD-ER.

Discover career paths and opportunities that you never knew existed. Use resources like ours not just as a way to find social innovation jobs, but a way to learn about (and be inspired by) all sorts of cool people and companies.

3. BE A PURPLE SHEEP (DON’T FOLLOW THE CORPORATE HERD).

Don’t search for the job you think you need to get or what you thought you ‘should’ or ‘would’ be doing; figure out what inspires you, and search for opportunities that will allow you to build towards your goals. Social innovation is in its infancy now and there is not a pre-defined path for success.

 4. ON TWITTER.

Follow #socent #socinn #impinv #susty #socialgood #socialimpact  #socialinnovation

 5. FOCUS ON YOUR SKILL SET.

Companies want to know what you can do for them and how your unique skillset will be beneficial for the company. Think about what you are most skilled at and apply that to a social or environmental problem. Graphic design for a Bcorp? Creating an app to provide more sustainable products? Think about how you can make the most positive impact.

6. BE INTRAPRANEURIAL. 

While you are looking for your social innovation job, there are ways to make your existing job more innovative. Bring forward your favourite cause/charity, spearhead a volunteer program, or help plan a sustainability program for your company and then use that experience in future job interviews.

7. DRINK LOTS OF COFFEE. 

It’s estimated that 80% of jobs are gotten through networking. Don’t spend all your time only working on your resume and cover letter.  Make sure you leave time for the most important factor- networking. Identify the right person to contact, familiarize yourself with the business and contact them appropriately. Asking questions to the people doing the job you eventually want is key!

 8. GET ENTREPRENEURIAL.

Do you see something that should exist but doesn’t? Figure out what role you want to play in fulfilling this need. Create your own opportunities and become a social entrepreneur.  It’s important to have the never give up attitude because challenges and obstacles will arise.

9. BE SOMEONE PEOPLE WANT TO WORK WITH. 

Social innovators are always thinking about doing things not just better, but differently. They see opportunity where others see challenge. Be someone who helps others, not just takes.

10.  GET INVOLVED.

Don’t limit yourself to job postings and existing social innovation job opportunities. In social innovation, there’s a lot of small businesses that need help but don’t have the time, energy or funds to devote to hiring right now. So make their job a bit easier. Find an organization that you’re interested in and see if there’s any way to help. Look at their needs and then propose a project to them. Even after university, extracurriculars still matter! Even if there’s no immediate paycheque, you’ll have a big ROI in the form of recommendations, introductions, or even a future social innovation job offer.  

11. GO THE POST-GRAD ROUTE.

Stanford Center for Social Innovation http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/
Waterloo- Graduate Diploma in Social Innovation http://gradsi.ca/
Sauder Business School – ISIS http://www.sauder.ubc.ca/Faculty/Research_Centres/ISIS

12. LEARN MORE

Stanford Social Innovation Review http://www.ssireview.org/
Stanford Social Innovation Review is an award-winning magazine and website that covers cross-sector solutions to global problems.

Social Finance http://socialfinance.ca/
SocialFinance.ca is a program of the newly launched MaRS Centre for Impact Investing.  The leading online community and information hub for social finance and impact investing in Canada.

Centre for Social Innovation http://socialinnovation.ca/
The Centre for Social Innovation is a social enterprise with a mission to catalyze social innovation in Toronto and around the world. We’re a coworking space, community, and launchpad for people who are changing the world, with three locations in Toronto and a location in New York City.

BCorporation http://www.bcorporation.net/
B Corps are a new type of corporation which uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.

Social Innovation Generation http://www.sigeneration.ca/
Social Innovation Generation (SiG) seeks to address Canada’s social and ecological challenges by creating a culture of continuous social innovation. Our focus will be on social innovation that has the potential for impact, durability and scale.

13. SHARE WITH OTHERS. Your Turn! Social Innovators do not act in isolation, they collaborate and work with many stakeholders. Share this knowledge with others interested in careers in social innovation. We believe in job and knowledge karma!

Are we missing anything? Enter in the comments below to add something to our list.

 

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