3. Conduct on-line research of non-profits in your area.
Many "telephone" search engines, such as www.switchboard.com
and http://yp.yahoo.com/ list non-profits in their own category.

4. Volunteer at an agency where you might want to work. Get to know the people you might be working with and how their organization works.

5. Visit your local library or book store (off or on-line) for books
on non-profit jobs. An older, no longer published book of resources
was the Non-Profits' Job Finder : 1994-1995 And of course there
are others too, like the 100 Best Nonprofits to Work for (2nd Ed).
There are also "Directories of Non-profits" nationwide, so don't
forget to visit your local librarian for information too.
 

6. Be aware that the grass is not always "greener" on the other side.
Working at a non-profit is just like working at any other business.
You'll have a boss and all the pressures, ups and downs, and
challenges that come with any job. Add to that, the need for grants,
fundraising, budget cuts , lots of paperwork that you'll question doing, and that will give you a better picture of the non-profit business.
 

7. It won't be hard to find "someone" who volunteered or worked
at your favorite non-profit; just remember to ask everyone you know if they know someone who has or does work at "that" particular agency.

8. When going on an interview - interview them! Ask about their
Board, how active they are, how many people there are, what types of projects the board works on, etc.

9. Find out the burn-out level of staff. Ask for the names of a
few employees and volunteers. Ask both the
manager and others a few questions that will help you ascertain
if you're going into a job where burn out is "mandatory". Such as:
How many hours a week do they work? Is the job stressful and
why?, Would they hire more staff and volunteers to assist with
the work and how many? Another good question to ask
management is "if you were given a gift of 1 million dollars
what would you do with that money? (If "things" and not
people come up in their answer, or if too many people
come up in that answer, -- well you'll know that's this is not '
a place for you!)

10. Set your standards and boundaries before you sign on the
dotted line! Many times non-profits have projects for you to
work on that require many additional hours. Make sure
"up front" that you are somehow compensated for those hours
- either compensation time or paid time.