When you’re first thinking about moving into the charity sector, the prospect of finding a job might feel overwhelming. It can be hard to know which jobs match your skill set best or how to find a charity job in the first place. But knowledge is power!
If you’re looking to make a positive impact for a cause that matters to you, you’re in the right place. Now all you need to do is work out is how best to achieve this.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to find a job in the charity sector.
If you’re starting your career
Looking to begin your career in the charity sector? Your enthusiasm and unique skill set could make you the perfect fit! Jobs in the sector are very diverse. So no matter where your experience lies, there’s bound to be something that matches your skills. Some of the most in-demand roles include fundraising, marketing, administration and operations.
Large charities such as Street Child, Cancer Research and Greenpeace have internship and graduate scheme opportunities. But these sorts of schemes are less plentiful in the charity sector due to budget and time constraints. Charities don’t have as much of a budget for training as organisations in other sectors. This means they’re often looking for people who can get stuck in straight away.
That being said, it’s far from impossible to find entry-level positions in the charity sector. You’re more likely to stand out if you’ve got some experience of the sector or of your role already. This doesn’t have to be from an internship or graduate scheme in the sector. It can also be from work experience in another sector or from volunteering.
If you’re transferring from another sector
It can be difficult to know how to find a charity job if you’re transferring from another sector. But the charity sector hosts a wide variety of roles for which you’re highly skilled. Even if there’s no direct equivalent to your job in the charity sector, there will be roles that suit your transferable skills and experience.
The charity sector is structured differently to other sectors. So it’s worth doing your research before committing to a career shift. Around 80% of UK charities have fewer than 500 employees, and many have only a very small team of paid employees that operate locally. Each charity is governed by a board of trustees and regulated by the Charity Commission.
Getting some experience through volunteering could be a great way to show that you understand how to adapt to the ways of working in the charity sector. You don’t need to have lots of free time to be a volunteer. Depending on what you want to do, there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer virtually and fit the hours around your schedule.
Take a look at our career guides
To find a charity job, you first need to be sure that you’re searching for the right roles for you. If you want to know more about specific jobs in the charity sector, take a look at our career guides. You can find out more about what different jobs entail, the experience you’ll need and salary expectations.
Set up job alerts
We know that searching for a new job can be a time-consuming and stressful experience. Especially if you’re also juggling other responsibilities such as a current job, caring for family or volunteering.
Set up daily or weekly job alerts from our job search page to get a selection of relevant roles straight to your inbox. Job alerts keep you up to date with the latest opportunities that match your criteria. You don’t need a CharityJob account to sign up for job alerts, but if you want to see them all in one place and edit the filters, you can create an account.
Create a CharityJob account
Creating an account makes it easier for you to save and apply for jobs on our site. If you upload a CV to your profile, we can send you jobs that match your CV and the type of role you’re currently looking for. Fill in your search preferences, including salary range, location and cause to get even more specific recommendations. We also show recommended jobs for you on your profile, based on your recent searches.
Sign up for our career advice newsletter
Our support doesn’t end with simply hosting charity jobs. We also keep you updated with the latest career advice. Whether you’re just starting your career or are transferring from another sector, we’ve got advice tailored to your situation. Sign up to our weekly career advice newsletter so you don’t miss the next instalment.
No matter your current level of experience, there’s a place for you in the charity sector. Gain as much experience as you can and take advantage of the tools available. You’ll be that much closer to finding the perfect job for you.
Now that you know how to find a charity job, why not start searching today?
