The truth about the voluntary sector

When I first started working in the voluntary sector, I met a very well-heeled young man at a party. He asked me what I did for a living. 'I work for a charity,' I explained, seeing my opportunity to enlist him for possible sponsorship.

'Marvellous,' he mused. 'I don't know how you people do it - giving up your time for free...'

I never found out whether this young man thought all staff in the voluntary sector donated their time. Or whether our salaries simply failed to register on his earning scale - but this encounter gave me some useful insights into other people's perceptions. In all my naivety about becoming a second Mother Theresa, it had never occurred to me that working for charity was anything less than a valid way of earning a living.

Potential rewards
Twenty years on and with many years of working both in-house and as a consultant to the sector, I still come across people who believe that working for a charity is some sort of buffer job for those without ambition or earning potential. Yet, I can't imagine a more challenging and rewarding environment in which to work. The sector offers a chance to:

• Work for something meaningful, and with potential to make an impact/create change

• Be flexible and resourceful, and gain new skills - especially in smaller organisations where low staff numbers require people to 'muck-in'

• Experience variety - voluntary organisations vary widely, so no two are the same

Although you're unlikely to make a killing, many staff and consultants receive fees or salaries which acknowledge the level of specialist skills and experience they bring to the job.

Do your homework
I've had the unfortunate experience of interviewing candidates for posts in charities, who seemed clueless about the nature of the work. The applicant for office manager who thought she would spend her days 'with the little children' or the prospective media consultant for the gritty, policy-based charity who imagined he'd be promoting fluffy fund-raising events, lost credibility immediately. The sector is notorious for scorning the approaches of uninformed do-gooders, so if you really are serious about working with the sector, make sure you do your homework.

Debunking the myths
To understand the real voluntary sector it's important to debunk a few myths:

Myth: Working in the voluntary sector is all about raising money
Most charities are constantly in search of funding but many voluntary organisations employ more people in service delivery, policy development and managerial posts than within fund-raising.

Myth: The voluntary sector needs people from 'real' professions to solve its problems
The voluntary sector has its own professionals with a detailed knowledge of its structure and workings. However, like any working environment, it benefits from new blood and new perspectives.

Myth: You get enormous satisfaction working in this environment
Whilst working within the sector may enable you to feel a little altruistic at times, you can just as easily die of boredom/overwork in the accounts department or policy team in a charity as you can anywhere else.

Myth: You work directly with real people!
If you work in a community organisation or in a front-line role providing advice, services or care, you may have regular contact with the client group. But many a voluntary sector worker spends their days in an office, surrounded by computers and colleagues.

Getting it right
To gain credibility in any environment it helps to understand the culture and appropriate language.

While the word 'charity' is still used for some of the more traditional-style organisations, these days the sector is generally know as 'the voluntary sector'.

Within this sector there are a very wide range of organisations, fulfilling a breadth of roles. For example:

• The national charity - which is likely to:

  • deliver direct services through projects based around the country - or overseas

  • campaign for policy changes and good practice

  • publish books, guides, training materials

  • have a trading arm which runs charity shops, catalogues etc

Think organisations like Barnardo's, RSPCA, Oxfam and Shelter.

Some national charities are made up of branches which deliver services at a local level. These branches may be affiliated to the national organisation but run independently. Organisations may also provide specialist training to their branches and other organisations. Think organisations like Age Concern.

• The medium sized charity - often a specialist organisation which campaigns for or provide services around a particular issue. For example a charity like Action on Elder Abuse which campaigns and promotes good practice through training, conferences and publications, or British Association for Adoption & Fostering which promotes good practice to professionals for the benefit of children. As well as supporting local authorities to recruit adopters and foster carers.

• The small charity - often set up to support a very specific cause e.g. to raise funds to preserve a historical building or to pay for treatment for a very sick child.

• Community groups - there are thousands of grass-root organisations - doing creative and life-enhancing work, which aren't officially registered for charitable status.

Be discerning
The voluntary sector is not for everyone nor is every charity right for every individual. So be discerning when you think about working in the voluntary sector. Ask yourself:

• What interests and motivates me - older people, children, animals, birds, gay rights, buildings or disability? Am I interested in campaigning for change or keen on conservation?

• Do I want something which builds on my existing knowledge or an opportunity to learn about new issues? If it's the latter, am I prepared to take less money/a more junior post in order to do this?

• What do they have to offer me? If it's simply a chance to 'do good' you'd be better off volunteering for the local charity shop. Look for jobs which offer stretch and stimulation - so you can give the best of yourself.

• What are my working requirements? If you are used to a highly-resourced, budget-rich working environment, becoming a jack/jill of all trades within a small charity may be a nightmare - or a welcome challenge.

• Can I enhance my knowledge of the sector? Some people gain volunteer experience with relevant organisations, to get a feel of the work - and add to their cvs.

Last - but not least - talk to people already working in the sector. They will be the best ones to give you a realistic picture.

Henrietta Bond is a communications consultant and coach, and the director of Resourceful Coaching Associates. She is also an experienced media trainer, journalist and copywriter and specialises in helping individuals develop their confidence in interview, written and presentation skills. For more info visit www.henriettabond.com and www.resourcefulcoaching.com