At a Glance
- Tasks: Help people with mental health needs find meaningful employment in the community.
- Company: Join a national mental health charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Gain valuable skills, work-life balance, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic, target-driven environment with a focus on collaboration and support.
- Why this job: Combine your sales skills with a purpose-driven role that changes lives.
- Qualifications: Any degree and early-career experience in sales or recruitment.
The predicted salary is between 25650 - 31350 £ per year.
Did you leave university wanting a career with purpose, only to find yourself drifting into sales? It happens to so many graduates. You leave uni eager to do something meaningful, land an entry-level sales or commercial role, and build brilliant skills—resilience, negotiation, active listening, and commercial drive. But the work itself doesn’t always feed your original sense of purpose. This role bridges that gap. It pairs your social conscience with the persuasion, communication, and drive you picked up in a sales environment. And it’s a huge charity in a brilliant sector, with heaps of career opportunities.
The Role
Working for a national mental health charity, you will use the evidence-based IPS (Individual Placement and Support) framework to help people with mental health support needs secure and sustain meaningful employment. You’ll be based in Barnet, Hillingdon, or Brent, working out in the community—meeting clients in neutral, accessible spaces like local cafés and libraries rather than clinical offices. You’ll manage your own diary, spend your days out and about, and see the direct, life-changing impact of your efforts.
The Reality of the Job:
This is purposeful work, but it isn’t light work. It is target-driven, fast-paced, and highly organized:
- The Commercial Edge: You will reach out to 5–6 employers each week to open doors, advocate for your clients, and uncover job opportunities.
- The Practical Support: You’ll coach candidates through applications, interview prep, and disclosure conversations around reasonable adjustments.
- The Multidisciplinary Link: You’ll collaborate directly with NHS mental health clinicians to ensure support is joined up and person-centered.
- The Admin: Managing caseload notes, compliance, and sustained employment tracking requires genuine self-discipline within standard 9–5 hours.
Who Fits Best
We’re keen to hear from any degree background—whether your degree was in humanities, business, social sciences, or the arts. If you have a strong social conscience alongside early-career experience in sales, telesales, recruitment, or account management, you’ll have the exact mix of empathy and commercial drive this role needs.
How to Apply
Apply directly via this advert. If you haven’t heard back within 72 hours, submit a note via the “Send Us A Message” form on the Red 5 People website, and a real human will get back to you. Want to chat first? Call the office and ask for James or Lawrence (contact number available on the Red 5 People website).
Graduate who fell into sales? employer: Red 5 People
As a Criminal Justice Mentor at our unique ex-offender community hub, you will be part of a supportive and vibrant work culture that prioritises rehabilitation and personal growth. With access to wellness facilities, engaging activities, and a collaborative environment, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of your clients while also benefiting from professional development and a strong sense of community. Join us in this rewarding role where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate who fell into sales?
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Red 5 People.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Red 5 People!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Red 5 People, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Red 5 People or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate who fell into sales?
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Red 5 People:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Red 5 People! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Red 5 People
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.