How to get on the charity career ladder

Holly Wilkinson tells us how she found paid work in the charity sector.

“One of the most important things to demonstrate on application forms is enthusiasm and dedication to the voluntary sector so anything you have done will speak volumes and might give you that all-important edge.” ''Working for The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) I will be responsible for supporting and liasing with donors and participants, assisting at events like the London Marathon and co-ordinating others such as University RAG raids.''

There’s no denying that finding a paid job in the not-for-profit sector, where many chase a handful of jobs in an area heavily supported by volunteers, can be notoriously difficult but, with a little grit and determination, it is possible.

Recently graduated with a somewhat non-vocational degree, I began the search for my first proper job in earnest. I found myself, quite predictably, in that typical catch-22 situation that causes countless graduates to flounder post-university: being rejected for a lack of experience whilst unable to gain any without employment. Although opportunities for unpaid internships are numerous, they provide a practical solution only to the few that can afford to work voluntarily on a long-term basis.

I was adamant that the milkround recruiters representing investment banks and management consultants weren’t for me, but I knew a charity job was. Not because the notion of pursuing an ‘ethical’ career had ever really occurred to me, but simply because I had enjoyed a number of voluntary activities throughout university and relish the enthusiasm the area tends to attract. In the current climate, an increasing number of charities are vying for a limited amount of money and, consequently, fundraising presents a huge challenge as initiatives must be evermore innovative and diverse.

I was initially overwhelmed by the number of websites and agencies dedicated to charity job seekers; it was difficult to know where to begin and I was wary of over-zealous recruiters recommending me for jobs that were completely out of my league simply to improve their own performance statistics. Firstly, it’s important to research the roles available within charitable organisations, to study job descriptions and assess your own capabilities in order to decide exactly what jobs you can apply for.

For me this meant finding an entry-level position that would allow me to get a foot on the ladder and expand on my existing voluntary experience by learning the basic procedures that support a fundraising department. I managed to find the perfect role as a charity events assistant. Working for The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) I will be responsible for supporting and liasing with donors and participants, assisting at events like the London Marathon and co-ordinating others such as University RAG raids.

So my search ended well, but it certainly involved rejection on the way because I often didn’t have as much experience as the other candidates. I guess the message is to persevere and be really clear about what job you want so that your search is well directed. Unsuccessful interviews are inevitable and, to some extent, a necessary learning curve through which invaluable knowledge of the charitable sector can be gained. Research, such as looking an organisation up on the Charity Commission site (a helpful tip gleaned from someone with a lot more experience than me!) is really useful and will often be transferable because many charities use similar fundraising strategies.

For anyone still at school, college or university who is interested in the sector, my main advice would be to get involved, to volunteer in whatever form you enjoy the most even if it doesn’t seem directly relevant. One of the most important things to demonstrate on application forms is enthusiasm and dedication to the voluntary sector so anything you have done will speak volumes and might give you that all-important edge. Also emphasise any private sector experience you might have had from holiday or temporary jobs because this is solid proof that you can work in a professional and efficient environment. Entirely contrary to the myth that many charity ‘types’ are scatty bohemians, employees in this sector must be just as proficient and perhaps even more resourceful than any in the private sector.