Entry requirements for the charity and voluntary sector

There are growing opportunities to find a job in the voluntary sector. Entry requirements range from no formal qualifications required through to degree level or qualified people with specialised skills for specific roles, e.g. finance, personnel. There are opportunities for all kinds of people. If is difficult to specify the exact entry requirements for each job as they will vary from organisation to organisation and individual to individual. There are no age limits to joining the voluntary sector. It is possile to enter at every level from school or college leaver to graduate to mature career change. Useful tips Volunteering
Many people working in the voluntary sector emphasise that volunteering provides a good introduction and insight into working in the voluntary sector. It can develop your skills and encourages confidence and is one route to a paid post. Organisations that can provide you with valuable information are listed here. If you are a student there is Student Volunteering UK - who have a whole range of information that students can use. They also run a course aimed at graduates who have done some voluntary work and would like to enter the voluntary sector. The direct approach

• Approach selected charities directly.
• Think about the aims of the organisation.
• Select those that you have genuine interest in or are sympathetic to.
• Think about what kind of expertise you could offer to a particular organisation or cause.
• Find out the name of the person that you should write to.
• Send a covering letter with your CV, which outlines your skills and the type of work you feel you can do.
• Follow up with a phone call - but be brief and specific.

Whatever your interests or skills, the voluntary sector is bound to have an opportunity which will put them to good use and provide you with the stimulation and challenges you require. Text reproduced courtesy of VSNTO