Careers and Employability Service
Charities, Not-for-Profit and Voluntary Sector
This guide will provide you with some starting points to help you find out more about working in this sector and the opportunities available. For paid opportunities, organisations generally prefer applicants who have shown commitment to this sector through volunteering.
Careers Overview
www.prospects.ac.uk – try ‘public sector’ or ‘charities and voluntary work’ job sector pages for a good overview as well as information on a range of roles and sources of jobs
www.targetjobs.co.uk – advice and information about a wide range of opportunities in the ‘public service, charity and social work’ career sector page
www.workingforacharity.org.uk/ – the National Council for Voluntary Organisations promotes the voluntary sector as a positive career option for those seeking paid employment – as well as the benefits of becoming a volunteer
Latest Trends and News
www.guardian.co.uk/society – Society Guardian (Wednesdays in the printed version) looks at latest news and developments in this sector
www.charitytimes.com – looks at a range of management issues affecting charities and has a Jobs section too
www.thirdsector.co.uk/ – has a careers section as well as blogs and comments on hot topics and good practice
www.volunteering.org.uk/ – national organisation linking policy, research, innovation and good practice. It merged with the NCVO in 2013
www.skills-thirdsector.org.uk/ – supports the development of people working in the sector
Vacancy sources
http://jobs.thirdsector.co.uk – vacancies site of Third Sector magazine (sister website above)
www.jobsgopublic.com – public sector opportunities of all types and at all levels with councils, government agencies and charities
www.charityjob.co.uk – wide variety of charity and fundraising jobs as well as voluntary opportunities
www.voluntarysectorjobs.co.uk – a range of jobs in charities, third sector organisations and NGOs
http://jobs.communitycare.co.uk – social work and social care jobs in various roles nationally
www.jobsincharities.co.uk – independent, sector-specific recruitment website
www.tbijobs.co.uk/ – the jobs website of The Big Issue, adverts also feature in the magazine
www.goodmoves.org.uk – Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations’ job site, with opportunities mainly in Scotland plus some in England
www.recruit3.org.uk – third sector jobs across Wales
Directories
www.do-it.org.uk – searchable database of volunteering opportunities nationwide. Search by type of organisation, type of assistance you wish to offer, location and times available
www.charitychoice.co.uk – directory of UK charities by activity and region
www.guidestar.org.uk/ – information on all registered charities in England and Wales, searchable by keywords, income and specific charity name
Social Media
Twitter is a quick way to develop your knowledge about the sector and find opportunities. You can read and search it without an account. You could consider https://twitter.com/CharityDigiNews or following a particular charity. Many use Facebook as well and there may be specific job opportunities for social media savvy graduates to increase their digital marketing presence.
Search ‘Groups’ on LinkedIn.com for a huge range of more specialist interest groups.
Summer 2013