Application advice
Make every part of your application count
Learn how to understand the role requirements, demonstrate your experience and explain why you want to contribute to the organisation's work.
How applications are assessed
Start with the person specification
Most charity applications are scored against the essential and desirable criteria in the person specification. Panels can only credit what you evidence, so structure your application around those criteria.
- Shortlisting panels usually score each criterion separately, often against a simple scale.
- Essential criteria must all be evidenced. Missing one is the most common reason strong candidates are not shortlisted.
- Desirable criteria separate closely matched applicants, so cover them where you can.
- Panels cannot assume experience from a job title—spell out what you personally did.
Application formats
Know what you are being asked for
Charity recruitment uses several formats. Each needs a slightly different approach.
Application form
Structured questions mapped to the criteria. Answer each question in the order asked and use the full word count available.
Most common for funded and frontline roles.
CV and cover letter
A tailored CV plus a letter linking your experience to the role, the organisation and its cause.
Common for professional and senior posts.
Supporting statement
A single evidence-led statement, usually one to two pages, addressing each essential criterion in turn.
Use headings that mirror the person specification.
Key takeaway
Applications are scored against the person specification. Evidence every criterion and you are already ahead.
Evidence
Turn duties into evidence
Replace descriptions of responsibilities with concrete examples that show the situation, your action and the result.
Too vague
Responsible for supporting service users.
Stronger
Supported a caseload of 25 service users, coordinating referrals with three partner agencies and reducing average waiting time from six weeks to two.
Too vague
Involved in fundraising activity.
Stronger
Led a community fundraising campaign that raised £18,000 across four events and recruited 30 new regular donors.
Too vague
Helped with reporting to funders.
Stronger
Prepared quarterly monitoring reports for two grant funders, evidencing outcomes against agreed targets and securing continuation funding.
Too vague
Good communication skills.
Stronger
Delivered training to 40 volunteers and rewrote our participant handbook in plain English following user feedback.
Before you submit
Final application checklist
A short review before submitting catches the issues that most often cost candidates a shortlisting.
- Every essential criterion has a specific example, in the same order as the person specification.
- Your motivation names the organisation, the cause and why the work matters to you.
- Examples are recent, relevant and describe what you did rather than what your team did.
- You have covered any gaps or a career change directly and positively.
- Word counts, file formats and the closing date and time have all been checked.
- Referee details are correct and you have asked their permission.
Common questions
Application questions we are asked most
Should I apply if I do not meet every desirable criterion?
Yes. Desirable criteria are used to separate strong candidates, not to exclude them. Meet all the essential criteria and evidence as many desirables as you genuinely can.
How long should a supporting statement be?
Follow the stated limit. Where none is given, one to two pages is standard—enough to evidence each essential criterion concisely.
Can I reuse an application for a similar role?
Reuse your evidence, but always retailor it. Panels can tell when a statement was written for a different organisation or criteria.
What if there is a gap in my employment history?
Explain it briefly and factually, and note any volunteering, caring, study or freelance work during that period.
Do I need charity experience to apply?
Not usually. Many employers recruit for skills and values, and volunteering or lived experience can evidence sector understanding.
Candidate support
More candidate advice
Working in the Charity Sector
Understand the organisations, professions and language of the sector before you apply.
Read the guideChanging Career
See how skills built in other industries translate into charity-sector roles.
Read the guideCV Advice
Structure, tailor and evidence a CV that charity employers can read quickly.
Read the guideInterview Advice
Research, evidence, values and questions to help you interview with confidence.
Read the guide
Next step
Get your CV ready
A tailored CV is often the first thing a panel reads. Make sure yours evidences the criteria clearly.