Ben Roberts

We at nfpResearch recently recruited for two new research assistants to join our public and influencer audience teams. After a month of searching, we’re pleased to finally be conducting interviews for these roles, having found that a great selection of qualified and enthusiastic individuals showed interest.

The last time we conducted a similar search for a research assistant, we received 650 applicants, a record for us and an indicator of how busy the job market was post-lockdown. Though things have calmed down now, we still had over 150 applications submitted for the current roles, but it was decided ahead of time that only a handful of interviews were to be awarded. Because of this volume of applications, we’ve regrettably been unable to provide individual feedback to each unsuccessful applicant.

Instead, we’ve decided to highlight some of our personal rules of thumb when applying to work in charity. With the sector being a ready source of graduate jobs, we appreciate that for many people these roles may be the first applications they’ve produced. So, we’re keen to share what made for the most eye-catching, personable, and practical applications for us to read, as well as some things to avoid when applying. We hope these insights will prove useful to anyone applying to third sector jobs in the near future!

1. Formatting

Making sure you follow the required structure that potential employers request is an easy win when applying. There are some formatting rules that you should follow for every application you make. For example, keep your CV and cover letter brief, under two pages is ideal. Employers read hundreds of them, and so it reflects well on you if you keep it succinct and direct.

Formatting for each role may vary, but most will provide their own instructions and expectations. In the case of our roles, we ask for your files to be labelled a certain way that aids with anonymisation, so that we can ensure inclusivity by removing names, universities, and nationalities prior to selection. Demonstrating your ability to adhere to directions and pay attention to the details of the job advert make a great first impression.

2. Tailor your application

The reality of applying to roles is that you may send out dozens of cover letters during your job search, and it becomes difficult to know how bespoke to make each one. We believe that taking a moment to tailor your letter can be a huge boon to your chances of being interviewed, however. It was obvious to us when applicants had made the effort to get to know us as an organisation, even doing as little as having a look through our website and familiarising themselves with what we do. Referencing a specific instance of our work or an issue from within the charity field goes a long way towards supporting you as a candidate, proving you to be engaged and in the know. Sending the same cover letter to numerous employers is certainly a tempting strategy, but it’s easy to tell when this is the case.

3. Let us know who you are

Among employers, one of the most vital things we want to know about the people we hire is sometimes missing from CVs: what kind of person are you? Your cover letter is a great opportunity to let us see how you’ve engaged with charity in the past, in ways that might not be clear from your CV alone. Experiences volunteering, your favourite charities, what made you want to work in the sector – all of these elements give your application individuality and character, letting you stand out from the rest and rise above simply being the sum of your academic and employment history.

It's also a good idea to be honest about your expectations going forward. If you plan on returning to study at some point or want a fixed term role to come with the option of becoming permanent, letting an employer know better allows them to recognise where to place you. Additionally, you might also find that showing off your interests and pastimes helps potential employers create an idea of who you are, giving you a memorable profile that can be a huge benefit to your application and a way to show us that you’ll fit in with the company dynamic.

4. Proof reading!

Lastly, we cannot stress just how important spelling and grammar are to our impression of you. Particularly if you’re applying to roles where writing is a feature of your duties, we need to see that you can produce clear writing without errors. When we’re sorting through hundreds of applications, nothing beats a succinct writing style, whereas spelling mistakes immediately show that your attention to detail is lacking.

This can be a challenge, particularly for those with dyslexia or who have English as a second language. So, we recommend that prior to submission you always have someone you trust proofread your application and highlight any potential issues ahead of time.