Those employers do not seem to look at a nonprofit career as a legitimate source of experience. The only reason I am trying to get into the for-profit sector is to get better pay, benefits and hours, and more respect for my experience. I love my work, but that just doesn't feed me or put a roof over my head. Many years ago, my wife gave me a Valentine's Day card whose front cover resembled the wrapper of a Tootsie Roll. If one wants the Fords, Packards, Smiths and Joneses to give to one's favorite causes, I suspect one needs to sell them on that.
Coercion generally has the opposite effect.
Unfortunately, the complaints about executive recruiters detracted from the rest of the commentary. Having tracked nonprofit executive searches for the past five years, let me offer another perspective. Retained executive search firms are hired for their ability to find the best candidate for the job. The search usually begins by conducting a strategic assessment of where the organization is heading and what type of executive is needed. In most instances, the key staff are interviewed on their view of the future of the organization and what type of individual is needed.