How to get a job in social impact

Looking for a job that aligns with your values and allows you to make a positive impact on society? You’re in the right place.  

We post hundreds of impactful roles at a range of organisations, charities and non-profits, but we’re also here to share our tips for landing your dream job.  

Here are five tips to getting a job at a social impact organisation

1. Identify your interests

The term ‘social impact’ covers a lot of ground, so it’s important that you think about which societal issues you are most passionate about. There are many different communities served by social enterprises, such as:

• People experiencing homelessness
• Refugees, migrants and asylum seekers  
• Marginalised or under-represented groups  

Beam is a great example of a social impact organisation working tirelessly to really make a difference to the lives of one of these groups. Check out the video below to hear more from Founder Alex Stephany.  

2. Research social impact organisations

Once you’ve decided which area(s) of social impact you want to dedicate your talents to, it’s time to do a deep dive on specific organisations. Look for companies that align with your values and learn all about them. Read about their missions, founding stories, and impact reports to get a better sense of how they’re making positive impact.

Not only does this help you build a list of your dream companies to apply to, but it also adds to your knowledge on the societal issues themselves and the different methods of tackling them.

Psst - our top 10 social impact organisations in the UK blog post is a great place to start your research.  

3. Build relevant skills

There isn’t a specific qualification you need to work in social impact, you can use your existing skills to make a difference. However, if you don’t have any experience at a social impact organisation, we recommend spending some time volunteering. Not only will this start the ball rolling in terms of experience, but it will also demonstrate your passion for the space – which is what the majority of impact founders are most interested in!  

You can find a range of volunteering opportunities here:  

• OnHand  ‍
• Reach Volunteering
• Volunteer by Do IT  

Check out our blog post on how to find volunteering opportunities to learn more.

4. Grow your network

As with all our impact areas, we recommend attending as many events, conferences and meetups as possible. As well as meeting relevant people, including potential employers, this will also help you gain a better understanding of the space.  

You can also join social impact groups on LinkedIn, Facebook, and other social media platforms to continue connecting with people already working in social impact. Starting conversations with these new connections can help you learn from their experiences and widen your network.  

5. Start your job search!

We have hundreds of roles here on Jobs For Good across a range of impact areas - including social impact.

The best ways to stay up to date with the latest jobs on Jobs For Good are:

• Following us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok  
• Signing up to our newsletter and email alerts  
• Keep checking our website find careers in social impact

Follow companies you’d love to work with on social media to keep up with their latest news and any hiring announcements. This will also help you gain a greater understanding of the companies themselves and their culture.    

Still need some more tips? Check out our blog post on how to get a job at an impact startup.