Our role often pulls us between the priorities of candidates and hiring managers and ensuring a smooth process can be tricky. As such we always aim to provide job search tips to make it as easy as possible. Working in the charity sector is uniquely rewarding, but it also presents specific challenges that both candidates and employers must navigate. As a recruitment agency specialising in this field, we’ve noticed some trends that are making the hiring process more difficult for both parties. Let’s talk about how we can work together to create a more positive experience for everyone involved.
The Impact of Poor Communication and Unreliability
One of the most significant issues we’ve encountered is the lack of responsiveness from candidates. Job interviews are being missed and more and more often candidates accept a role, only to continue interviewing elsewhere. This not only frustrates hiring managers but also disrupts the recruitment process, incurs onboarding costs for the charity (taking budget away from beneficiaries) and can damage a candidate’s professional reputation. Outside of this, it’s always better to be honest so we can help protect the charity and everyone knows where they stand, equally if someone else is really keen on the role, you free up the opportunity for them.
Reliability and clear communication are critical. When candidates drop out of the onboarding process, it sets back not only the hiring team but the entire organisation. Remember, every interaction you have with a potential employer is a reflection of your professionalism and can impact your future career opportunities.
The Pitfalls of Job Hopping
One of the most pressing job search tips is around longevity. The charity sector is relatively small, and the rapid movement of candidates from one role to another without gaining substantial experience can be detrimental. It’s important to build a breadth of experience in each role before moving on. This not only strengthens your resume but also ensures that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to make a significant impact in your future positions.
The Shift Back to the Office
Another challenge we’ve noticed is the surprise some candidates express when they find out that many organisations are returning to the office. While remote work became the norm during the pandemic, a significant number of charities are now emphasising the importance of in-person collaboration. This shift is driven by a need to address cultural issues, reduce isolation, improve performance management and provide partners and donors with the face-to-face interactions they value.
The Importance of Transparency and Reliability
The charity sector is a close-knit community where hiring managers often know each other and informal referencing is being undertaken more and more frequently. This means that your reputation can precede you. Being transparent and reliable in your role and the interview process is crucial. If you communicate openly about your intentions and follow through on your commitments, you build a positive professional image that can benefit you in the long run.
Job Search Tips
- Communicate Clearly: Respond promptly to emails and phone calls, brief responses are better than silence. If you need to cancel or reschedule, do so as early as possible.
- Be Reliable: Show up for interviews and appointments on time. Follow through with commitments you’ve made. Don’t accept an offer and then continue interviewing elsewhere. Ask for an extension or turn the offer down if it’s not right for you.
- Invest in Your Role: Take the time to develop a solid foundation of experience in each position you hold before considering new opportunities. This will pay off in the long run and build a strong reputation.
- Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest trends and expectations in the sector, including shifts back to office-based work and salary freezes, it’s worth making sure it isn’t just your organisation.
- Remember you are working with humans: Hiring managers and even recruiters (hard to believe I know) have feelings and can be left confused and hurt if you don’t communicate honestly.
It’s important to remember that recruitment is a very human process and that the impact hits and affects people. By working together, we can create a more effective and enjoyable recruitment process. Let’s build a strong, reliable community within the charity sector where everyone thrives.
If you are struggling and want more job search tips please do get in touch with us or see more helpful blog posts here. You can also find more general tips here.