Working for a worthy cause

Our resident career doctor is here to study your problems and research the best advice for you by consulting a vast army of experts.

Here, the carer doctor advises a sales and marketing manager who yearns to work for a not-for-profit organisation for a cause she believes in.

Dear career doctor,

I am looking for a working future in a not-for-profit organisation or one which reflects my interest in humanitarian issues. However, I currently have an office job as a sales and marketing manager in an international company and have no experience in any of the fields in which I want to work.

My CV is very much based in office work, sales and office management. I speak three languages fluently, am a very flexible person and I'm able to work under pressure and in a multi-task environment.

How can I highlight these strengths in my CV to get into the work I really want to do and invest my future in working for a worthwhile organisation?

M.

Making a career switch to join an organisation which has a strong ethical base or is purely not-for-profit is an interesting aspiration, which is often expressed by other totaljobs.com users.

The good news is that you have core skills which are transferable to many areas, and therefore which your CV needs to 'sell', such as languages and an aptitude for administrative work.

• You are also obviously able to inspire loyalty in the people you work for, as they have been keen to employ you throughout university and afterwards.
• You demonstrate a continuous record of employment which has an upward curve into promotion.
• You are able to liaise with people effectively and achieve results.
• You can organise and co-ordinate events and products across geographical boundaries.

Employers look favourably upon these qualities and I don't believe that your skillset presents a problem.

However, how do you know that you would be happy in a different working culture, when you haven't tried it and are undecided on what exactly you want to do? Your ambitions are noble but vague, and employers might pick up on this.

I don't recommend a drastic change of direction just yet, but would instead advise you to spend time on researching your options and deciding what you really want.

• Network with people in the not-for-profit sector to see if you fit in. Try attending the major charity recruitment fairs.
• Ask your employer for a shorter working week to enable you to do some voluntary work with an organisation which interests you. Alternatively, set aside some of your holiday leave to do this.
• Put some money to one side, to enable you to spend time in voluntary work as a 'taster'.
• Take one of the charity-backed fundraising holidays which are often advertised. These offer adventure while also giving you good experience of fundraising, which can test and hone your marketing and interpersonal skills.
• Apply to Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) by calling 0208 780 7200.

In addition, I recommend that as part of your research you consult:

Ethical Consumer (or telephone 0161 226 2929). This is a web site and bi-monthly magazine run by the Ethical Consumer Research Association. It includes information on which employers are not regarded as ethical or proactive in world affairs. I think that this will help you understand some of the issues at stake and to organise your thoughts on the contribution you might make.


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Good luck!

Career doctor