Stuck on question on job application - Help!!!

[Helennn]

I am just completing my first job application after 8 years bringing up my two children. It is for an assistant Homestart co-ordinator, not something I am familiar with I must admit but something I would love to get into.

It asks for details of voluntary or community work I have done, and finishes off asking me to 'briefly explain what you know about the voluntary sector'.

Any ideas - I have no idea what sort of thing they are looking for.

well I work in the voluntary sector and I find that a really odd question!

I dunno what they're looking for either but I guess you could talk about the increasing importance of the voluntary sector in providing services...often the voluntary sector provide the services that the statutory sector used to....there's increased professionalisation of the voluntary sector with very clearly defined and monitored contracts.

Also I would mention here your understanding and appreciation of volunteers - which is still a core part of the voluntary sector, obviously!

Hope that helps a bit - killer question though isn't it!

Good luck, hope you get the job

Thanks - thought I was struggling with the 3 page relevant skills, knowledge and experience form and how to relate it to the person specification form! Then they throw that little question in just for good measure.

Thanks for the ideas - and I will certainly need the good luck .