Getting a graduate charity job

If you want to break into the charity sector, you'll first need to know what employers look for in candidates, as well as how to go about tracking down work opportunities

Do I need a related degree?

That all depends on the role you want to do. As there are so many different areas of voluntary work available, you will need a relevant degree for some, for example veterinary science, and for others you can have any academic background, for example fundraising.

What skills do employers want?

Employers in the charities and voluntary work sector look for:

• a strong interest in issues currently affecting the charity or area of choice;
• commitment and motivation;
• strong communication skills;
• enthusiasm;
• innovation.

Where can I get work experience?

Both large and small organisations provide structured work placements and internships for students and graduates.

The charity sector has a long-established tradition of offering relevant work experience through volunteering, which enables students and graduates to gain essential skills and competences for the industry.

Prior experience is highly sought after by employers looking to take on paid employees, so work experience is particularly important in this sector.

To find work placements and internships in the charities and voluntary work sector, search for work experience.

How do I find a graduate job in the charity sector?

Job vacancies are posted on organisations' websites, national and local newspapers and university careers services. You can also search graduate jobs in charity and voluntary work.

Opportunities are also advertised on specialist websites, including:

• CharityJOB  
• Groundwork  
• Jobs in Charities  
• Third Sector  

If you are interested in setting up a social enterprise, get advice and a directory of organisations that can support you from Social Enterprise UK .

In some cases, jobs may not be formally advertised; instead, recruitment can sometimes be overly dependent upon networking, knowledge of the sector and/or specialist websites and channels of communication.

If you are considering working abroad, you may be able to find opportunities in the overseas branches or companies of large global organisations. Understanding other cultures and having competence in a second language is an asset. Regulations governing charitable activity and accepted qualifications vary around the world so it is important to check this carefully if you want to work overseas.