AAW HOW TO: Identify and Keep up With the Top Trends in Charity Recruitment
Will charities and not-for-profit organisations continue to encounter challenges with hiring people? Understanding the trends in charity recruitment can help.
This is the first in the AAW ‘How To’ series. Over the next few months, we explore many themes around recruitment. We hope that you enjoy these pieces of wisdom from our search team! Do get in touch if you’d like to find out more.
There is some good news if you're job hunting this year.
Recruitment and retention scored highly on a survey conducted recently amongst HR staff on their challenges and priorities. If you have the talent to offer, businesses will go out of their way to attract you.
Charities across the UK are one such sector looking to stay ahead of the curve. They need top talent on their teams. To recruit the best, charities' recruitment strategies have evolved.
Current recruitment practices might surprise you if you haven't searched for a job recently. Charities have adopted many new recruitment tactics. That includes cutting-edge tech, flexible working, and social media, to name a few.
This blog post will look at some top trends in UK charity recruitment and what that means for job seekers. We'll share tips and advice on how to use the latest recruitment trends to your advantage. Read on to discover how to secure that dream job.
A Demand for Digital Skills
The UK charity sector is seeing an increasing demand for digital and technical skills in jobs.
That reflects the growing importance of technology in helping charities reach wider audiences. It can increase their impact and reduce the time and resources needed to deliver services.
Examples of digital and technical skills most in demand for jobs in the charity sector include:
Data analysis
Web development
Digital marketing
Website management
Customer relationship management
Software engineering
Data analysis is an essential skill for any job in the charity sector, as it helps charities make informed decisions based on data and evidence.
Web development is also necessary, as it allows charities to create compelling websites and online services.
Digital marketing skills are essential for charities to reach wider audiences. Customer relationship management helps charities provide better customer support.
Finally, charities need software engineering to create custom systems to collect and manage data.
Even when applying for a non-technical job, always ensure you are up to scratch with the latest systems and applications. Show that you're willing to learn about new tools and software.
To win that dream job in the charity sector, you must always be willing to invest in improving your skills. That could mean an evening class, an online course, or professional qualifications.
But with some technical know-how, you'll stand out from the rest of the competition when submitting your CV.
More Flexible Working
We all know that flexibility helps employees to balance their commitments with their professional lives, and flexible working practices are a growing trend in the UK. The charity sector is part of that charge.
Whilst there is a growing expectation for more senior staff to return to the office full-time, UK charities recognise the need for a more flexible approach to work.
Adopting flexible working practises in the charity sector is a positive step forward - employees value their chance to achieve a work-life balance, for example, working around school hours.
From an employer's perspective, flexible work can improve staff retention and productivity.
Make sure you look out for job postings that indicate they offer flexibility.
Many job search platforms and recruiters will help you filter your search criteria. That way, you can concentrate on the charity sector jobs that match your personal and professional requirements.
An Increase in Remote Working
Remote work is a growing trend in the UK, accelerated by the pandemic and the associated lockdowns.
Before the pandemic, the UK charity sector had already introduced remote working practices. The pandemic pushed this trend further. More than ever, it's easy to find ads for charity sector jobs advertised as remote.
Remote working offers many benefits. It provides more flexibility and autonomy, reduced commuting, and for organisations, the potential to save money on office space.
It also allows employees to work from anywhere, which is especially valuable for charities. It means they can access a wider pool of talent and expertise.
Employees in the UK charity sector can expect to see more advertised job roles offering remote work.
To seek a job in the UK charity sector offering remote work, you should first speak to a recruitment team like ours to see what opportunities there are.
When applying for a job role offering remote working, make sure you tailor your CV and cover letter accordingly.
Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity and inclusion are of critical importance in the UK charity sector.
Charities want their recruitment processes to be fair and transparent. That way, they will have teams of people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.
That brings added value to any business or charity. Diverse teams often lead to a more creative and productive working environment. It's also the right thing to do, meaning charities can access the broadest possible talent.
When a charity commits to diversity and inclusion, it serves its broader purpose. It means they can understand what their community needs from their organisation.
UK charities must focus on creating a safe and welcoming workplace for everyone. That starts with a fair recruitment process inclusive of race, sex, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
It's reassuring for candidates when they see an inclusive job ad. It means you know that the recruiter will judge you on your merits.
It's easy to see why this makes the sector more attractive. Rewarding and fulfilling careers await in organisations where equality prevails, and your talent can thrive.
Technology
Recruiters in the UK charity sector increasingly rely on technology for recruitment. It helps recruiters streamline the hiring process and find the most qualified candidates.
Automation in recruitment and hiring includes things such as CV scanning tools to search for specific keywords.
If you're looking for a job, that's good news. It means a quicker turnaround between your application and finding out if you've reached the next stage.
But this technology means job seekers have to make changes to adapt. For example, you must be mindful of how you write your CV and cover letter.
If there are specific requests in the job ad, ensure those keywords are in your application to ensure you pass that first round. Tailor your CV to the particular role for which you're applying. Don't use a generic one.
Using technology in recruitment has created a more transparent system for recruiters and applicants. For example, an online application system might provide instant feedback if you don't get the job.
As technology continues to increase and evolve, job seekers must be proactive in staying up-to-date with recruitment trends. Understanding the technology recruiters use will help you develop the best job application.
More Streamlined Recruitment Practises
In the past decade, the UK charity sector has seen a major shift in recruitment processes. Improved practises have made finding and hiring employees more streamlined.
The most notable development has been the shift to online recruitment platforms. These platforms help employers add postings quickly and reach more potential candidates. And for job seekers, it gives you a better choice of opportunities.
Online applicant systems can manage and track the recruitment process more effectively. That includes onboarding (for example, getting you to sign an NDA or watch a safety video) once an employer hires you.
Nowadays, it's also more likely senior staff will be involved in the early recruitment process, too. That could mean informal Facetime calls with senior managers rather than waiting until later for a formal interview.
Using online assessments to check capabilities and knowledge also helps speed up recruitment.
Overall, the UK charity sector has seen a significant shift in how it recruits employees. These advances have made the recruitment process quicker and more manageable. It makes it more likely you'll find the perfect job match - and quickly.
Skills-Based Hiring
Skills-based hiring is a recruitment strategy focusing on a job candidate's skills and abilities instead of experience. In the UK charity sector, skills-based recruitment is an exciting trend.
That shift to skills emphasises the individual's capacity to learn and adapt rather than their experience.
Employers focus on finding candidates with potential who can apply their skill set to the demands of a job. It's perfect if you believe you have the aptitude to excel in a career but lack years of experience.
With skills-based hiring, recruiters can find the best possible people. It helps to create a more diverse and inclusive workplace. That's because recruiters don't limit themselves to a smaller and more exclusive pool of experienced candidates.
Social Media
The UK charity sector is beginning to embrace social media as part of its recruitment drive.
Most people living in the UK now have access to social media platforms. So it has become an important and effective way to search, apply, and network for jobs in the sector.
Candidates can use social media to search for job opportunities. They can connect with potential employers, follow organisations and search for job news.
They can monitor their favourite charities and see when they're hiring. They can also join online networking groups on places like Facebook or use hashtags on Twitter to search for specific roles.
Social media also makes it easier to apply for roles. Candidates can send their CVs and cover letters to the hiring organisation via social media.
It's also great for networking. For example, a candidate could connect with a recruiter via LinkedIn. That is a great way to start a conversation with the right people. And networking could land you a job before it's even formally advertised!
You can also join online groups and forums outside social media. It's a chance to discuss job opportunities and network with other professionals.
It's a proactive way to find that perfect job and could unearth some exciting roles that you may not have considered before.
Employee Engagement and Retention
Considering employee engagement and retention is becoming increasingly important for recruitment in the UK charity sector.
Charities face ever-increasing costs in their organisation. And so they need to cut recruitment and training expenses. That means making specific job roles as attractive as possible. It's how they reduce churn and improve retention rates.
One way they might do that is to create a positive and meaningful employee experience. It helps staff feel valued and engaged in their work.
This can take the form of initiatives. That might include offering professional qualifications, training, and team-building activities. It could also include financial and non-financial bonuses (such as a generous holiday package).
Charities also want to create a happy and positive working environment. That means being open and supportive. You'll find job openings for organisations that welcome ideas and creativity from everyone on their team.
As well as making this a more rewarding career, it will help you feel more secure in your job.
Always read the entire job description when applying for a role. It provides valuable clues about the company culture and whether it fits your long-term career goals.
Online Video Interviews
Online video interviews are becoming popular in the UK voluntary sector.
This shift is driven by the rising cost of traditional recruitment processes, the need to hire quickly, the convenience of remote interviewing, and the desire to promote greater diversity in the workforce.
Video interviews offer several advantages to charities. They enable them to review prospective employees quickly, access a wider talent pool, and reduce costs by eliminating the need for travel and scheduling costs.
The key to succeeding in a video interview is to prepare. Research the charity in advance, dress appropriately, and be aware of body language and other non-verbal cues.
Practice in advance to be familiar with the technology. And make sure the interview space is well-lit and free of distractions.
Check your background, and if the camera faces the door, lock it for the duration of the interview. Make a great impression, be professional and confident, and speak clearly.
Make sure to listen carefully and prepare thoughtful questions. It's also important to remain positive and show enthusiasm for the job and charity.
Data-Driven Decisions
The UK charity sector is following in the footsteps of private companies. Specifically, it's starting to use data and analytics in its recruitment process.
For example, a charity might test the response rate of a job ad to see what sort of package and job title gets the best response. With advanced technology, most of that can happen with a click of a button so recruiters can track information in real time.
It offers the chance to tweak an ad if things aren't going great with the recruitment drive - perhaps promoting it on a different job board or changing the job category, for example.
Data and analytics help charities to make more informed decisions, allowing them to hire the best candidates for their roles.
They can analyse the effectiveness of recruitment campaigns and measure candidate quality. Plus, data helps identify trends or problems in their recruitment process.
Data and analytics can also help charities to improve their employer brand. That makes them more attractive to potential candidates.
Charities can tailor their recruitment process by better understanding who is applying for roles and why. It's a great way to target suitable candidates while ensuring they meet their diversity targets.
Data and analytics can also help charities improve their onboarding process and ensure they fully support new hires. They can also help charities identify gaps in their recruitment process, allowing them to improve.
Virtual Recruitment Events
Virtual recruitment events are quickly becoming popular due to the pandemic. These events are held online in an open space but usually require signup before you can join.
They are an excellent way for employers to attract new talent, connect with potential job seekers and discuss job opportunities. It also allows them to gain a better understanding of the skills and experiences of potential employees.
The UK charity sector has been using more virtual recruitment events. They use it to reach out to potential job seekers who may not have access to traditional recruitment processes.
If you are interested in finding and joining virtual recruitment events for the UK charity sector, search job websites for details and you can also learn about events via social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
Finally, it is essential to prepare for virtual recruitment events.
Always research the employers beforehand. Additionally, practice your communication skills, and check you have updated your CV. By doing so, you can be sure to make a strong impression on recruiters.
Employer Branding
Employer branding is increasingly essential for charities that want to attract top talent.
It's not just about the salary but also about the culture, the staff's experience, the organisation's values and mission, and what working for them offers.
Corporate companies focus on creating a positive brand identity to attract the right people. That's true for UK charities, too. They realise the importance of branding when running recruitment campaigns to attract the best and brightest.
Good branding includes things like communicating their values and mission. It could also involve highlighting the impact of their work and showcasing the benefits of working for them.
For larger organizations, you may see a dedicated branding design for a large recruitment drive.
The benefit to you is that you'll probably find this comes with a dedicated website or landing page that will tell you lots about the job roles on offer and the benefits.
Watch out for this branding when applying for jobs in the charity sector. It will also give you lots of valuable information about their culture and values. That will help you decide whether they're a good fit for you.
A Focus on Apprenticeships and Internships
Nowadays, you'll find more job ads for apprenticeships and internships in the UK charity sector.
These roles offer a unique opportunity for those seeking to enter the sector. They are also helpful for charity organisations looking for a cost-effective and efficient way of training existing and new employees.
Internships in the UK charity sector are typically offered in administration, finance, marketing and fundraising, IT and digital, HR, events management, and project management.
They usually involve short-term, unpaid placements. And they are an excellent way for individuals to gain experience in the sector.
Apprenticeships can range from entry-level to more advanced roles. A latter example might be a management apprenticeship.
Those seeking an apprenticeship or internship in the UK charity sector should research the industry first. Get familiar with the typical roles offered. Apply for positions you find interesting and those that match your skill set.
In addition, draw attention to any relevant experience or qualifications. Plus, demonstrate commitment to the charity sector.
It is also important to network and build relationships with organisations and individuals in the sector. Finally, apply for roles early and monitor job boards regularly for new opportunities.
Getting to Grips with Charity Recruitment to Find Your Dream Job
UK charity recruitment constantly changes, and you must stay informed to remain competitive.
Keeping up with trends, such as digital marketing and social media, as well as emerging job roles and skills, is especially important.
With the right approach, you can take advantage of these trends and use them to their advantage. Doing so will give you the best chance of securing that dream role.
I hope you’ve enjoyed the first of the new AAW How-To series.
As a specialist executive search agency that only works with the charity sector, we are always keen to hear from new candidates. Please do get in touch to chat more about how we can help you with your professional journey.