How many applicants do you get for internships or entry-level jobs?

We don’t generally offer internships, although it’s something we will be reviewing in the future. We often receive 150+ applications for entry-level jobs and we normally interview six or seven, so competition is very tough.

Do you only want people who have worked for a charity before?

It isn’t essential for applicants to have worked for a charity. Some experience of the charity or not-for-profit sector either in a paid or voluntary capacity can, however, be helpful.

It’s quite common for people to move into working at CAFOD from different sectors. Usually, however, they have worked in a related field. These include trained teachers coming to work in our schools team and journalists joining our publications team. Other people have made a complete career change, including lawyers who are now working in office administration.

What skills are you looking for?

The skills we are looking for vary greatly between individual jobs but they generally include good communication skills (verbal and written) and the ability to work on your own initiative as well as part of a team. We also look for familiarity with computer packages (particularly Word, email, the internet and sometimes databases and spreadsheets). We also value the ability to think creatively, generate ideas, enthusiasm and being able to cope with lots of work and pressures, while staying good-humoured and highly motivated.

What errors do people commonly make in applications?

Spelling CAFOD wrong! This is particularly bad if they are applying for an editorial job, where proof-reading would be part of their responsibilities. In that instance, spelling mistakes would mean instant rejection whilst for other jobs, an occasional error can be overlooked. Other major mistakes include not reading carefully what they are being asked to do.

We stress that we cannot accept CVs on their own but people regularly send these, rather than completing the application form. You would also be amazed how many people do not read the person specification carefully. It’s vital that you ensure you meet all the essential criteria before applying. For example, it’s pointless applying for a job where fluent French is essential if you can’t speak French!

How can someone maximise their chance of success?

Your application should clearly demonstrate how you meet each of the criteria and illustrate it using specific examples. It’s vital that you really make the most of all the things you’ve done before, including voluntary work, holiday jobs, involvement in university societies and paid employment. Emphasise the skills you’ve gained and exactly what your role involved in each example.

Don’t be tempted to write too much though — the employer will have a large number of applications to read and you need to make it easy for them to find the essential information. Using headings that relate to the essential requirements can be very useful.

What would your ideal candidate be like?

We work in a highly collaborative way, so we look for people with collaborative skills. We need people who can work with other CAFOD staff, other charities and organisations and, where appropriate, with our partner organisations overseas. All staff must be committed to our vision, mission and values. The ideal candidate would be passionate about global justice and have evidence of active involvement e.g. leading a People & Planet group at university or involvement with the Trade Justice Movement.

We are a faith-based organisation and the ideal candidate would also be actively involved in a faith community. Because we are an agency of the Catholic church, being a Catholic is an advantage but not always essential. However, for a few jobs, which involve working very closely with the Catholic community in England and Wales, it would be difficult for a non-Catholic to either do the job or to be comfortable with it.

What’s the best way in to a job with CAFOD?

Get involved as a volunteer for a development agency. This will give you a great insight into how they work and whether it’s the right career for you, as well as access to job vacancies when they arise. For many jobs in international development, spending time living in a developing country can help, so doing some voluntary work overseas could be valuable.

What questions might candidates face at interview?

• How do you think working for the voluntary sector would be different from working in the private sector? Why does that appeal to you? What would the disadvantages be?
• What is it about CAFOD in particular that makes you want to work here? What is it about us that gets you ‘fired up’?
• What major international development issues do you feel strongly about?
• When you saw the job advert, what was it that jumped out at you and made you think “that’s the job for me”?
• In what ways do you live out CAFOD’s values in your own life?

CAFOD

www.cafod.org.uk