A Recruiter’s Guide to a Fundraising Job Search in 2024: Insider Tips and Insights

Back in 2021 we shared 6 tips on mastering a fundraising video interview. More than enough time (and recruitment!) has passed since then and we therefore wanted to provide an up-to-date resource for candidates looking for a fundraising job in 2024.

There are many guides that provide practical help, however we’re going one step further and sharing what Fundraising Recruiters are thinking about every day that YOU can take advantage of in your job search.

Our top 11 tips:

1. Become your own head hunter. Track your applications, assess your answers to common questions and know the questions you might struggle with.
2. There are some very cool, inclusive, curious recruiters and agencies who really do have the charity sector’s improvement and talent acquisition central to their own impact. Who do you know? Why should they talk to you and what can you gain? Get ruthless in talking to the best people in this area.
3. Find the right level of fear in approaching and applying for a new position. How does this application stretch you professionally? If everything seems easy enough, are you sure you want to apply?
4. Lean into the chaos. It’s difficult, annoying, and ultimately a danger to an organisation if a role fails to recruit the first, second, third, or even forth attempt. But, it’s also the reality and usually no one’s fault. Do you know how the hiring manager and/or recruiter adapted each time? How as a candidate do you feel about that? Get ready to learn about recent history of processes to inform your approach.
5. Build your network and communicate on channels that work for you. Email, LinkedIn and WhatsApp seem to dominate currently. However, fun recruitment is happening within other channels, in person, and without recruiters. If the pace feels right and the communication is clear enough, crack on!
6. The power of your seat within a fundraising and organisation structure is a useful way to frame your specific experience. It also neatly balances the fact that most fundraising happens within great collaboration and therefore isn’t solely down to one person. How do you talk about that in your interview?
7. Recognise too the seasonality of fundraising recruitment. At Prospectus, we notice with job boards, investment in roles, and other agencies, April/July/September/January tend to be big months for the recruitment of new roles. In addition, we’ve also seen a new focus on corporate partnerships positions this year, as well as team-wide, multiple-role recruitment. What are you seeing on job boards as you apply for roles?
8. Assess if your search takes into consideration your longer-term career goals. Applications can take time, therefore be sure the role is right before applying by utilising online organisation reviews, your networks, and external recruiter support. What are the development opportunities of the role? What are the organisation’s ambitions? Is it taking too much time to think about applying? How does that inform you applying or not?
9. Be confident to use external relationships with recruiters to be proactive on your behalf. Trying to find your dream role whilst working can be challenging. At Prospectus we pride ourselves on connecting talented fundraisers with great charities and not-for-profit organisations and we know that it’s not always initially through formal processes!
10. With modern recruitment practices involving more remote/hybrid working and equally more virtual interviews, it can be hard to gauge the culture and fit within an organisation. Interviews are a two-way street, and you should feel empowered to ask questions about this. Perhaps ask “what do you like about working here?” “What motivated you to join the organisation?” “Would an informal coffee be possible?”
11. Reasonable adjustments should always be mentioned in process. If they’re not, do feel confident to ask for support. Are the interview questions going to be shared in advance? How much time will there be for any interview tasks? We have a Guide on Reasonable Adjustments in a Recruitment Process here.

We hope this has given you a sneak peek into the common topics which are frequently at the forefront of a fundraising recruiter’s mind. Hopefully you’re able to apply these to your own job search to secure your dream fundraising role! If you’re ready to start your job search, do take a look at our job board for our latest fundraising roles.

Our Fundraising Recruitment Team partner with charities and not-for-profit organisations on an array of income generation roles across the sector. Whether you or your organisation are thinking about fundraising recruitment this year, we’re always happy to have a confidential chat. Check out our range of recruitment services and let us know if we can use our recruitment and search expertise to guide you on your recruiting journey.

Connecting talented people with purpose-driven and not-for-profit organisations