This week’s expert is Paul Canal, managing director of Charity People, recruitment consultants for the not-for-profit sector
I am a new graduate doing an intensive secretarial course. I am an avid reader of Crème and it always comes across how much PAs working for charities enjoy their jobs. I feel I would like to “connect” with something I care about, rather than work in the corporate sector. My concern is that I would probably have to move to London and I am not sure that I could live on what I am told will be a low salary. Please advise.
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You are certainly doing the right thing by completing an intensive secretarial course. However, rather than move to London immediately, I would suggest that you try to find temporary work closer to home, ideally for a charity or another part of the non-profit sector. This will enable you to prove that you can put the skills you are learning into practice while gaining experience.
After six months of temping or contract work, I suggest you start applying for administrative jobs in London, in organisations whose aims you empathise with. You might also be interested in attending forum3, the recruitment fair for the not-for-profit sector next month. While many charities have regional offices, key administrators will be based in the national headquarters — and most of these are based in London. If you are looking to move upwards within the ranks, then you will probably have to consider a move to London — at least as an interim measure.
Salary-wise the sector is as commercial as the corporate sector and realises that to attract the best candidates, it needs to pay the going rate — a good administrator in the charity sector can earn up to £30,000.
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And lastly, you are right — those who work in the NFP sector often enjoy their job as it seems to offer them another dimension.
www.forum3.co.uk