The NGO and charity sector always needs qualified recruits, and with many graduate programs training students for the field, grad school can be a good path to follow if you want to make a difference.
There are always issues which are close to our hearts. It could be a soft spot for animals, the desire to help more vulnerable members of society, or perhaps responding to natural distasters.
However, if your desire to change things fizzles out after an occasional donation or volunteering, then perhaps a career in charities or NGOs is not for you.
Lasting commitment
“The charity sector is an attractive choice for people who want to make a difference for a particular cause. Working in an international development charity is hard work, but it’s purposeful and rewarding,” says Kathryn Gordon, Director of HR and Organizational Development, VSO, an international developmental charity.
The charity sector requires most of all, people who are passionate enough to be driven by the cause they believe in. Being committed to a cause and having the zeal to make a difference are the core essentials for anyone looking for a career in NGO or the charity sector. “One thing our volunteers, employees and supporters all share is a passionate, shared commitment to our vision,” says Gordon.
If you aspire to join the charity sector, having a good proof of your commitment to a cause will help your case. Perhaps voluntary work during college days is a great first step.
High recruiting standards
With time, the public perception of the charity sector has changed. Today, it is seen as equivalent to any other professional organization. In fact, many charities now are run as capably and efficiently as a corporate set up. Hence, it is as competitive as any other sector and demands high professional standards.
“The recruitment is much more competitive than it used to be. We’re looking for much more specialized profiles,” says Liz Crawford, Field HR Manager, Médecins Sans Frontières MSF (Doctors Without Borders).
Charities increasingly look for professionally qualified candidates who can begin contributing as soon as they join. Whether it is a charity working for disaster management or an NGO for people who are HIV positive, professional qualifications are required by any applicant to make a difference.
“We are looking for results driven people who have a good level of competence. We have more interest in people with practical skills and professional qualifications,” says Crawford.
Do you have what it takes?
“While professional qualifications may be used for short listing candidates, much more weight is placed on softer skills,” says Julie Weston, Director of Human Resources at the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
With each charity, the required skills will differ. While some may require you to know several languages, others may expect you to be more adaptive to various cultures. But perhaps what makes a candidate really stand out is showing the right attitude.
“Resilience, resistance to stress, ability to live and work in unstable environments, flexibility, adaptability, team player, good planning and organizational skills, leadership and management skills are what we look for,” says MSF’s Crawford.
“Great verbal and written communication skills are essential in a candidate. So is the ability to work in and across teams in a collaborative way. We also want people who have a can-do attitude and take responsibility for getting things done on time and to a high standard. Understanding customer needs are important,” adds Weston of BHF.
Doing a master’s or a PhD may also help you stand out or move your career on to the next stage. “If the role is scientific one, then a master’s may be very important. Similarly, if it is a popular role, for which there are many candidates, higher qualifications may be a way of short listing CVs,” says Weston.