What its really like to work in the charity sector

What its really like to work in the charity sector by Michael Cheary Considering working in the charity sector?If you’re looking for a profession that really makes a difference to people’s lives, finding a job in charity and fundraising could be your key to career happiness.We spoke to Elizabeth Banner, Development Adviser at Clean Break, to find out more about what life’s really like when you work in the charity sector:The Big InterviewQ: Hi Elizabeth. So what is Clean Break?Clean Break is a theatre company founded by two women prisoners in 1979. Our professional theatre productions share the often hidden stories of women and crime with audiences across the UK and our specialist theatre education programme helps transform the lives of women with experience in the criminal justice system.We’re the only organisation of our kind in the UK, working in the community and prisons to give women the confidence and skills to make positive choices, break away from crime and build brighter futures.Q: What does your role involve day to day?Every day is different. One day I might be inviting our donors to see a production created by our students at the end of term, and the next I could be writing an application to a potential donor, telling them about the lasting changes we are bringing about to women in prison.Other times could include designing and producing a newsletter to keep our donors in touch with our latest news and promoting our next theatre production, like ‘Joanne’, which recently showed at Soho Theatre.Ultimately my role is to ensure that every supporter or potential supporter feels engaged with our work and truly understands how important their support is to Clean Break and the impact on the women we work with.Q: What’s your favourite thing about your job?Seeing the transformation and the friendships women make, the visible increase in confidence and new found passion are the most rewarding parts of my work. Knowing that I helped introduce a funder to the incredible talent across Clean Br eak and being able to show that their support is truly making a difference.I also love meeting new people and finding out why they give to charity, be it a donation of £10 or much larger. There are so many reasons and it is wonderful to hear what Clean Break means to people.Q: What’s the most challenging part of your job?We’ve seen a huge increase in demand for our Education Programme over the past few years â€" we’re working with 80% more women than we were four years ago, and the current climate (with cuts to services and benefit changes) has meant that women with experience of the criminal justice system often need much more support from us (e.g. around housing, debt support, poor mental health).At the same time the cuts have meant there is less funding out there and fundraising is getting harder, more competitive if you like as the pot needs to spread wider.Individual support and fantastic initiatives like the Big Give’s Christmas Challenge, which encourage more people to support charities and help raise their profiles, are hugely important to our future.Q: What advice would you offer to someone looking to get into the charity sector?Working in the charity sector, opens you to an incredibly diverse opportunity to see, learn about and influence so many different things.In fundraising in particular, there are clear paths for personal development and expertise. The career path might start as a support role to the fundraising team or Chief Executive and then in larger organisations moving into a specialism such as focusing on engaging individual donors and then onto becoming a Manager to Head of Department.What’s more, as a fundraiser your skills are highly transferable, which means across your career you can work in very different organisations, satisfying your own varied interests and beliefs across the sector for example, from theatre and the arts, to homeless charities, to museums and universities. Charities will always want to make a positive d ifference and you can be a part of that.Q: If you could do anything else as a job, what would it be and why?As a fundraiser I watch and share the work individuals across the sector are doing, directly making a difference or changing policy for the better. It would be wonderful to be part of the delivery, being directly involved in the changes that take place. Perhaps one day I will find the time to learn those specialist skills or volunteer.The Big Give’s Christmas ChallengeClean Break is taking part in this year’s Big Give Christmas Challenge, joining over 250 other charities aiming to raise vital funds and double their donations on 4th 5th December.This year, their Champion is the Reed Foundation who, along with some match funds sourced by Clean Break, are doubling donations made online as part of the Christmas Challenge campaign.To help Clean Break achieve their target, and to double your donation, donate via the Big Give from midday on 4th or 5th December.For more details a bout how to make your donation, visit the Big Give website now.Please note that match funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and is likely to run out quickly. Make sure that you make your donation as close after 12pm as possible to stand the best chance of having your donation doubled.Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. What job suits me?

Tips on Making a One or Two Page Resume

Tips on Making a One or Two Page ResumeOne or two page resume that is used to express your qualifications can make a difference in your chances of getting an interview. Though they are a bit boring, some companies use these short forms to evaluate the resumes of candidates before actually inviting them for the job. So to effectively communicate your qualifications, here are some key points that you should keep in mind.The first and most important thing that you have to keep in mind while making your resume is that it should be short and to the point. Remember that most employers need to have a minimum amount of information about the candidates to evaluate them. Try to jot down all your essential skills and qualifications in a few sentences. A two sentence resume can be effective if the company can see clearly that the candidate has a basic knowledge about the position that he is applying for.There are certain points to remember while making a one or two page resume. You have to put y our qualification in the beginning and it has to be something that can be understood by the reader. If you have some special skills or knowledge that is of no use to the readers, it is better to leave it out as you cannot expect them to read it or you are losing the opportunity to emphasize your skills and qualifications.Another important point is to keep it brief and to the point. A well-written one or two page resume can cover all the important features of your job. If it is too long, it is possible that some of the readers will lose interest and will not bother to continue reading it. So you have to keep the relevance of your skills and qualifications to the reader in mind when you write the resume.When you are writing a resume, it is a good idea to have a copy of it and to send it to the company that you are applying for. They will not only check it but will also check the copy that you have sent them. By doing this, you will be able to see how your skills are conveyed in the sh ort form of resume. Also, this will help you decide whether you have been given a chance to be interviewed or not.In addition, you should also put in your professional credentials in the resume. This will show that you are serious about your job and that you are not just another job seeker. It is important to emphasize the fact that you have already done your job training. If you have not, then you should also include this in your resume.Finally, you have to emphasize certain points in your resume. These will make a difference in the evaluation of your qualifications. You should highlight your qualification in the skill of remembering things and repeating them easily. This is important because the company is looking for people who can recall and repeat their work quickly.You should try to remember that there are different rules and regulations for different companies. But there are some things that you should always keep in mind while making a resume.

The Pinwheel Girl

The Pinwheel Girl I had the honor of meeting Kendra Kett at a Ladies Who Launch workshop I attended about a month ago and knew immediately that I wanted to feature her in a Ms. Career Girl post. Even before I got the chance to speak with Kendra one-on-one, I was intrigued by her. Kendra is the author and illustrator of The Pinwheel Girl Takes Flight, a poetic and unique book which illustrates every womans journey through seven stages of transformation. Here are some excerpts from my interview with Ms. Kett. Although the concepts may seem a bit artsy or foreign at first, I think many of us can relate to having an inner-voice that we dont always listen to as much as we should. What is a Pinwheel Girl? The Pinwheel Girl is a new icon for womanhood! She is a metaphor for the Inner Voice always whispering to us, nudging us along, reminding us of the essential Truths of our lives. She is always accessible and ever present if we seek her and listen to her, she is there. She teaches us that the life of a Woman is to go in and out of stages of transitions and transformations with courage, grace, dignity, and compassion for ourselves. She is always encouraging you to and through the stages of your life. The Pinwheel Girl is Every Woman. What inspired you to write the book, The Pinwheel Girl Takes Flight ~ Every Womans Journey Through Seven Stages of Transformation? I wrote the book in response to many things happening all at once that seemed to reach critical mass. Id been a novice writer all my life, since I was two years old, and also an artist, always drawing, pasting, cutting, writing and dreaming. I have a poetic way of speaking sometimes and I tend to see in metaphor and symbolism. As I grew older, though, my emphasis became that of following the rules, doing what was expected of me, playing parts, and just going along without a real plan for my life. The sheer routine of life, marriage, parenthood, and career propelled me forward in a non-thinking manner and the next thing I knew I was at a midlife crossroads filled with deep regret and depression about the choices I had made and not made, as well as fear for my future. Interestingly enough, however, all along I had been collecting art supplies sort of on a subconscious level, and storing them in a room above my garage, even though I had long ago abandoned any artistic outlets. One day I saw that I had enough supplies to create an art studio and that is what I did. It was a moment of clarity amidst all the confusion. I desperately wanted to express somehow the pain, despair and heartache that I was experiencing. I felt that somehow I had just not lived up to my potential. I had abandoned so much of my dreams and myself and left them laying on the side of some road somewhere. So the first thing that I drew was a pinwheel. Stuck on a stick. Spinning in a circle. Going nowhere. Eventually I made the little pinwheel jump off the stick and fly free in the wind. And when it landed I saw that the now unfolded flaps looked like arms and legs and they were communicating in a pose. So I morphed the little pinwheel, now free and un-tethered, into a woman and the Pinwheel Girl was born. See her belly button? She got that from the nail that used to hold her down on the stick. To cope with an impending midlife transition and a divorce, I drew and drew. And drew. I had over 100 images of the Pinwheel Girl and over 100 messages from the wind to go with them poetic little phrases culled from my experiences, my journals, my dreams, and my own Inner Voice which was helping me face my situation with sheer determination and courage despite the sorrow. I saw that as I evolved and changed through my midlife experience, divorce, and a lot of self-help, the drawings and messages of the Pinwheel Girl conveyed those changes and they were organized into seven distinct stages. It was then that I thought I should create a book and product line for other women who might also be feeling loss, betrayal, confusion, despair, fear, uncertainty, and a need to heal herself. What do you think young women in their twenties can most learn from the Pinwheel Girl? I think the Pinwheel Girl has so much to offer any woman of any age! The Pinwheel Girl offers many nuggets of wisdom and guidance to young women. First and foremost, she is an advocate of honoring yourself, listening to yourself, trusting in yourself, and heeding your intuitive wisdom. For example, You know what to do is one of her messages and she really means this! You know what to do! On the surface level this means you dont need anyone bossing you around. On a deeper level it means that you have the answers to all of your questions and pursuits those answers lie within you. The Pinwheel Girl offers young women the courage, strength, and curiosity to excavate that intuitive knowledge and to stay with it. To stay the course. Too often our culture marginalizes what young women think and feel and with this pressure it is easy for us to give up on ourselves, resign ourselves, or to minimize our thoughts, feelings and intuition. The Pinwheel Girl helps you to resist that temptation. She is your strongest ally! Secondly, I feel that the Pinwheel Girl offers a new way of encouraging and healing ourselves. She taps into your reservoirs of strength and shows that to you. Young women have so much to face today, so much to juggle, many stresses and concerns about their future, and so many overwhelming options to consider. The mission of the Pinwheel Girl is to empower women to live the life they love and want, to pursue their dreams fearlessly, and to cultivate courage to face the tough times that will inevitably arise. She reminds you that no matter what you are invincible, larger than life, and eternal so shes a source of comfort. We can all use that these days! The Pinwheel Girl also offers young women the idea that each stage of life, each stage of transition, each change we must face, has its merits no matter how negative and stressful some of those changes may feel at the start. She points out how the light is always brighter when you first see it in the dark. Managing change is often not as scary as we think it is. She says hold oneven if its unfamiliar Thats the key, I think. Even when things are unfamiliar and unsteady, as our culture and climate is now, the Pinwheel Girl reminds young women that they can see in the dark. Thank you Kendra for sharing your story and the story of The Pin Wheel girl!

The Best Careers For Female College Grads in 2015

The Best Careers For Female College Grads in 2015 If you’ve graduated in 2015, chances are you have already decided what you want to do with your life. However, the chances are a lot smaller that you’ve transitioned seamlessly from collegiate life to the work force. According to Jennifer Rutt of AfterCollege.com, 83 percent of graduating seniors don’t have a job lined up by the time they leave their college campus. While having any job before graduation would be great, we are talking more about your ideal careers in this list; a career that will provide you with insurance and benefits like workers’ compensation and retirement plans. To help women in America attending college get a better handle on what jobs are out there that have room in their field, here’s a list of the best careers for female college grads in 2015. Business Careers In a Wall Street Journal article featuring CareerCast’s Tony Lee, the two fields that were most open and accommodating to female executives were advertising and human resources. These two career paths fall under the umbrella of business degrees. The good news with business degrees is that you generally get a working knowledge of areas of business other than your chosen field, making you well-rounded enough to make a lateral career move if you come to find you don’t like your previously chosen speciality. Healthcare Careers Careers in healthcare always draw a lot of women and generally pay very well, too. Kathryn Dill, staff writer for Forbes, states that some of the most popular and best paying jobs for women in healthcare are anesthesiology and nursing. Women with positions of nurse anesthetist, which combines both of the healthcare careers mentioned above, can expect to make over $100,000 a year. And unlike many other careers, there is a need for medical professionals in nearly every city in any country around the world, giving healthcare workers the chance to be employed almost anywhere. Science Careers Female scientists who focus on work in careers like mathematics and engineering can find great success with positions like astronomy and physics. Dill writes that there are plenty more positions in these types of fields that women enjoy and thrive in, positions classified as “miscellaneous mathematical science occupations” by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With a career as an astronomer or physicist, female college graduates can make over $2,000 weekly, coming to well over $100,00 annually. In modern society, women have the chance to pursue whatever career in whichever field they feel most drawn to. And for those lucky women who have an innate interest in the fields of business, healthcare and science, they’ll also have the chance to make a good living for themselves as well.

North Carolina Resume Writing Service

North Carolina Resume Writing ServiceThe best way to get a job is to contact a North Carolina resume writing service. That's the message that they are attempting to get across to potential job seekers who search online. People want to hire people who come from North Carolina.When you write a North Carolina resumes, it should focus on the qualities that employers want in their employees. If you are from North Carolina and you aren't currently employed, then your resume has to highlight your past experience. This will help potential employers view you as a well-rounded individual. If you worked in an office and were successful, this should be mentioned as well.Another good thing about a North Carolina resume is that it contains keywords that indicate you have already had many job offers. Your resume should have keywords that include 'hot'internship.' These will show prospective employers that you have already been in the job market and have most likely been promoted in the process. The se keywords show potential employers that you are already successful in your career.A North Carolina resumes should also contain keywords that include 'doctorate degree'doctorate program.' These will show employers that you have already completed the educational requirements for your specific type of job. They also show that you have already been a candidate for the position that you are applying for. Employers will see your previous success as something to get excited about.If you have seen an advertisement for a job in North Carolina, your resume should highlight that you attended a UNC school. You should add that you were also in a pre-professional program that was accredited by the North Carolina State Board of Education. This will help potential employers determine that you are ready for higher education. It will also help you keep your current salary at the level that you have now.Other North Carolina resumes that should be very strong resumes that contain both graduate and un dergraduate degrees. A resume that contains college degrees and some professional experience is going to be more effective than one that only has some pre-professional work experience. Many employers prefer to hire someone with more education and will be more likely to consider your application. Just be sure to emphasize the specific college you are seeking.The best thing about working with a North Carolina resume writing service is that they can create a great resume that is going to make you stand out among others who have just been laid off or that don't have full time employment. Your resume has to have all of the details about you and how you can be of value to the employer. There is no time to be rushed with this process. You need to have the information in front of you so that you can put it into words and make it clear.People want to hire people who come from North Carolina. This is a great message for them to be sending. They want to hire people who are well-rounded, who ha ve experience and education and who can be counted on to get the job done.

Stop! Why you should be applying for fewer jobs - Debut

Stop! Why you should be applying for fewer jobs - Debut It starts when you’re due to hand your dissertation in. Then you push it back to after your exams. And then all of a sudden you’ve graduated and you really need to start looking a job. When you’re faced with the great unknown it can be tempting to fire off a CV and cover letter to everyone and anyone who might be hiring. Add the pressure of social media rubbing in just how well your friends are doing, and your parents pushing for you to take anything that will pay â€" no matter how unrelated to your degree it is â€" applying for gazillions of jobs can seem like the answer. But put that pen/keypad/tablet/carrier pigeon right back down. While ‘I applied for fifteen jobs today’ might get mum off your back, it won’t get you a job. Fact. Hold fire and take a breather Everyone knows getting a grad job these days is competitive â€" so much so it might as well be the depressing mantra of our era. However, just because the market’s become more crowded doesn’t mean you should scattergun your CV from Penzance to John O’Groats. Employers are looking for people who really stand out. They want people who understand the company, the role itself, and how you fit in. They’re not going to see that in a quick half an hour rush job. Before you even start your job hunt, make sure to dedicate some time to work out what you’re looking for. It’s OK not to know exactly what field you want to go into, but even general areas or lists of things you enjoy doing will help narrow down your search. Let’s face it, there’s a hell of a lot of jobs out there. It might help to sit down and chat things through with someone, or to make lists of about what parts you enjoyed about your degree and any extra-curricular activities. Conversely, if you know where you want to be in twenty years’ time, do some research to find out what career paths will get you there. You might feel like you’re wasting time, but knowing what jobs will work for you and which won’t will help you sift through role descriptions effectively and help you put together a better application. Ask yourself if the role works for you Once you’ve started to pick out jobs which look appealing, it’s time to scrutinise and research. Sure, you know what you want, but do you know if this fits? Take time to look into the company, its work and its culture â€" not just checking if the job description. Look up previous employees who held the role â€" what are they doing now, and how have their careers progressed? Having all this info doesn’t just help you to decide if you want to apply â€" after all, there’s nothing worse than ending up in a job you hate â€" but it will allow you to expertly craft your application. Put your newfound knowledge to good use and explain exactly how your skills and ambitions fit not just the job description, but the company itself. Heck, if you want to know more about the role there’s nothing wrong with asking. Ads can only tell you so much after all â€" so if there’s things you still need to know that you can’t find out from your research, get in touch with the employer. Depending on the role and the company, you may be able to find a contact the head of department or someone currently in the role who could give you a bit of day to day insight. Alternatively, finding the contacts for someone in recruitment will not only get you the info you need, but highlight you as a super keen bean. Spend time crafting your application If you’ve pinpointed something great, it’s time to get to work on the application itself. At the very least you should be crafting a unique CV and cover letter for every job. It’s fine to have a template or a standard way of setting things out, but make sure to fill each CV with bullet points or paragraphs with experience that directly relates to the job description or company ethos. Some jobs will require a bit more effort, asking for answers to set questions or a portfolio. Again, take your time. Make a draft, take a breather and double check it before sending. Sure, it’ll take longer, but the extra time spent really stands out. Save copies of everything you submit to any job â€" if you’re applying for similar roles it will help you work out what worked well and what didn’t, as well as provide inspiration for future applications. Make yourself stand out Always make the effort to go above and beyond. Sure, the job description might not have asked for a portfolio, but why not add one in, or put a link to your website where they can find one? What about a short video CV explaining why you’d be great at the role? Perhaps you’re a dab hand at design (or know someone who is) and could make your CV with their branding instead. At the very least find the name of the head of recruitment or the manager you’d be reporting to and address your cover letter to them. These extra touches will take time â€" but they will also make your application infinitely better. And employers will notice. Jem Collins is a freelance journalist in London whose work focuses on politics, education and careers. Feature image ©  CreateHERstock GIFS via Giphy Download the Debut app and get Talent-Spotted by amazing graduate employers! Connect with Debut on  Facebook  and  Twitter

Talented Ladies Club (UK) - Jane Jackson Career

Talented Ladies Club (UK) - Jane Jackson Career How to avoid the 7 most common Job Hunting MistakesI am honoured to be a regular contributor to the Talented Ladies Club blog heres one of my articles:http://www.talentedladiesclub.com/all-help/all-how-to-work-flexibly/all-how-to-work-flexibly-getting-started/how-to-avoid-the-seven-most-common-job-hunting-mistakes/Who are Talented Ladies Club?Talented Ladies Club  was founded by two friends â€" Hannah Martin and Kary Fisher.Hannah MartinOver the last 18 years, Hannah has worked as an award-winning copywriter for international publications and advertising agencies. She’s also trained as a hypnotherapist, psychotherapist and NLP practitioner. Her interest in psychology and belief in the power we all have to take control of our lives and achieve our goals, inspired Hannah to set up TLC with Kary. And her experience of being a working mum, freelancer and starting a business, plus well-honed copywriting skills helped her to bring the website to life. Hannah lives by the sea in West Sus sex with her partner and two children, Ollie and Mimi.Kary FisherKary Fisher has 18 years’ experience as a graphic designer and illustrator. Before becoming a mum, Kary worked for design agencies in Paris, London and Brighton. After the birth of her daughter Amelie, Kary decided to launch a new freelance career, which enabled her to structure her days around her family, while pursuing her passion for design and illustration. It was this experience that inspired Kary to launch TLC with Hannah. Today Kary works with select clients on print and online projects. As well as working for large organisations such as Disney and the BBC, she helps start-ups and young businesses develop their visual identity and marketing materials.

The Pay Gap Will Finally Close - In 136 Years

The Pay Gap Will Finally Close - In 136 Years Ladies, let’s all grab drinks in 2152, because that’s when the pay gap will finally close and we’ll finally make as much as men. According to recent data from AAUW’s Fall 2016 report on the pay gap, it will take 136 years for women to reach pay equity with men. The results show that progress on closing the pay gap has slowed â€"  so much so that the latest projections indicate pay equity isn’t likely to be achieved until 2152 if the pace doesn’t improve. Cheers, anyone? While we celebrate, lets take a look at whats going on: The Pay Gap Is Real â€" And It’s Actually Worsening Progress was revving along at a pretty good clip, starting in 1960 after more women began going to college and entering the work force; however, that progress has since stalled. Source: AAUW At the rate of change from 1960-2015, pay equity for women is expected by 2059 â€" a year that’s at least within reach. But look at the rate of change in this century â€" from 2001-2015 â€" and the outlook darkens. Instead of picking up steam, the gap is growing more stubborn. Yes, the pay gap continues to narrow, but the slower rate of change over the last 15 years pushes projected pay equity for women to 2152, or 136 years from now. What Gives? Whether the gap personally exists for you is likely far outside your reach. Besides wearing more makeup and negotiating your ass off, there’s little you can do to actually close it. (I only recommend the latter.) Other factors, such as location, race and age seem to make more of an impact than whether or not you’re busting your butt at work and driving more results than your male counterparts. Here’s what the AAUW report has to say: Where You Live Makes a Difference The report digs deeper to break down pay inequity across a number of demographics, and where you live has a big impact on how much you make. The average cost of living varies across the country, but women’s earnings aren’t exactly in line with the price of a gallon of milk. Source: Bloomberg If you live on the East Coast, you’ll experience about an 11 to 14 percent pay cut thanks to your gender. New York, Delaware, Florida, District of Columbia and North Carolina offer the most equitable pay for women in the country. On the other hand, women in Wyoming will earn just 64 cents on the dollar of a man’s pay. Louisiana, West Virginia, Utah and North Dakota round out the bottom five states, after Wyoming. Ready to pick up and move? Don’t start packing just yet. Location isn’t the only factor determining your salary. Surprise! Race Matters, Too The report also breaks down earnings and the gender gap for different ethnic groups in different ways. The pay gap was first analyzed by comparing women and men of the same racial or ethnic group. From this vantage point, Asian and white women experience the largest gender gap in pay, while Latina and African-American women earn 92 and 90 percent of what same-race men earn, respectively. Source: AAUW When comparing women of other races to white men â€" the dominant group in the work force â€" they fare much more poorly. In this case, Latina women earn just 54 percent of what the average white man earns; for an African-American women, it’s 63 percent. It Gets Worse The wage gap also widens as women age, meaning that these differences have a major and lasting impact on women’s lifetime earnings and ability to retire comfortably â€" or at all. A woman earning less at the beginning of her career has less to invest, and less to raise in her annual review. The differences in both pay and accumulated assets magnify over time.  The total effect: Women lose $430,480 over the course of a 40-year career. Source: AAUW Earning less in your working years means you’ll also qualify for fewer Social Security benefits â€" a gap exacerbated for women who take time off for unpaid maternity leaves. (Although only 13% of U.S. employees have the option of paid family leave.) The odds are just stacked in our favor, huh? At least our great-granddaughters might earn as much as your great-grandsons. Until then, keep climbing the ladder and #slaying your career. The pay gap ain’t got nothin’ on you. Thoughts on the study? Let your feelings fly in the comments! While you’re at it, head over here for some tips to help you negotiate a higher salary. And for more news and must-know information to boost your career, sign up for the Punched Clocks newsletter.