Charity role - 4 stage interview process

[Cherryblossom200]

Hello!

I’ve just been through a very, very intense interview process for a charity. It’s a role I would be paid for, and doing something I enjoy.

In my second interview I had to do a presentation and the last stage was again a gruelling round. Lots and lots of competency based questions. I’m over qualified for the role by miles, but want to do something impact led which feels like the next stage of my career. I almost gave blood, sweat and tears in my last interview (obviously I didn’t cry 🤣) to show my dedication to want to work for a charity because I believe in their cause. They said they would tell me the outcome, I believe it’s between two of us.

I’m not working at the moment. My concern is that the interview process felt very informal, no humour or warmth and I want that in my role. The majorly of my job will be remote which will help. I may or may not get the job, but not sure how I feel at the moment - help!!!

I need an income, but don’t want to end up in the wrong job x

How long have you been out of work for? And are you sure you’re “over qualified by miles”?

Out of work for a week, and I can comfortably say I am over qualified as I’ve worked in big global companies working for much bigger projects. This job is very different (which I like). I’m saying this because it could actually go against me as well.

The last two roles I’ve done I’ve not particularly loved. I’d love to do something I really like.

I have been on your other work related threads… you have really jumped around and there’s been lots of issues in the last few jobs. You are already finding issues with this one and you haven’t been got the job yet

Yes true, but at the same time there have been genuine reasons for wanting to leave. Toxic work cultures, high turnover of staff etc. I don’t had the patience for it. I’m a single parent and value calmness and warmth in my employer.

I don’t want to make a mistake and find a role I stay in for the foreseeable future.

It must be a very important job to justify a four stage interview process or they're not very organised.

You’re finding issue already and you haven’t t got the job

you have one heck of a chequered job history and all due to “issues”

i dont know what to suggest but this job will very likely go as all the previous have

Is the interview for CEO? If not it's certainly not worth the 4 stage interview process.

But if you're looking for the warm fuzzy feeling, then charity sector is not it. It's still work, and it can be hard, demanding, under valued work. Most of us who have been here a while are burnt out, worn down and a bit cynical. After decades of chronic underfunding, sticking a plaster on the government's mess, whilst often dealing with toxic mismanagement, poor terms and conditions. It's tough out there. Lots of charities and their employees are hanging on by a thread so forgive them for not being full of humour!

It may be that they've been burnt in the past and hired someone who looked good on paper but turned out to be incompetent, hence the very testing interview process. ?

Charity sector paid positions are highly
Competitive. They will have for many many applications.

Are you sure you aren’t just being too picky? If you don’t have a job then you need one presumably. Overqualified by miles isn’t always desirable to employers so don’t count your chickens yet

@Monolithiqueit’s a new role, and nope it’s only a co-ordinary type role.

Charities can be as toxic as any other workplace. They don't become warm fuzzy places just because they have charitable objectives.
If you get offered the rile then you could meet some other staff (though with 4 rpunds you may have met a fair fee already) before accepting. But you could also just accept it and see what happens. Start with a positive attitude. If you're not working elsewhere and have no other offers it's not as though you have anything to lose.

@ToKittyornottoKittyI agree, it could very easily go against me.

Agree 😆

Sorry for the typos, co-ordination type role was what I meant to say.

Having had a big corporate job does not necessarily make your over qualified for a non profit role. Someone with significant experience but from within the non profit sector is likely to be better qualified than you purely due to their understanding of operating within a non profit environment. That said, if you are down to last two you must be a pretty good fit.

And I’m fully aware of that. If they go with the other person I’m almost certain it’s because they have non-profit experience, and I can’t win against that!

Or fact you have jumped ship regularly in recent years.

What did you say in response when they asked you about the potted career history

Presentation and competency based questions are very standard for charity role. You probably considered it gruelling becuse you’re not au fait with the sector.

@Fable2024to set the record straight, I’ve had two six month roles in the past couple of years. The reason is because I was made redundant from a role I was in for almost three years. When I was recruited for that role they knew that it would never be permanent because my client was going to terminate their contract. They didn’t share that with me when I interviewed, I only found out when I started in the role. They then made my life difficult towards the end because they tried to make me leave to avoid a pay out. The company I worked at following that was bought out by another company and there was huge job uncertainty, the organisation was toxic and badly needed investment because their systems were archaic. In my interview I said the truth, that the company was bought out, its public knowledge and I left. I’ve told them the reason I want to leave this role I’m in is because I’m looking for something purpose led which again is the truth.

Things aren’t always black and white, you weren’t in those work situation - I was. Unfortunately employers put their best foot forward and you don’t know what it’s like until you work there.

Why are you being so attacking? I am trying a different approach this time and want to accept a role where I enjoy it and feel the culture aligns to what I’m looking for. I don’t want to job hop, I want to find a role that I stay in until I retire if possible!

Oh good grief I’m not attacking you

you have started multiple threads about all the issues you’ve had in past jobs.

good luck

Good luck

@Fable2024and..what is wrong with that? It doesn’t automatically mean there is an issue with me which is what I think you are subtly insinuating. It means that I’ve been a bit unlucky with my jobs recently and I’m trying to change that, I’m trying to choose better. And I’m coming on here to get advice to avoid making the same mistake again. I’m a full time single parent and value other peoples advice because I don’t always have a sounding board.

Like another workplace charity sector cultures can vary massively - if you didn’t get a positive vibe in the interviews then I would be a little concerned. Did you ask questions about the culture in any of the interviews?

I’ve worked in charities where the culture drove me out and I’ve worked in charities where the culture was wonderful.

Being purpose driven is important to me but it doesn’t guarantee I great culture at all.

Yes I did have a very open and frank conversation with my potential line manager in the third stage interview. I asked about culture and how important it is, she actually said she felt a bit like I do and tried to reassure me that it’s much better than when she first started. But what I’m seeing (non emotional, no smiling, no laughing) is giving me incredibly formal vibes. I come from a corporate background and was hoping to move out of that 🫣