Paul France, director at specialist recruiter Hays Social Housing
Housing associations and local authorities are an obvious start but have an open mind: The sector is so varied. Housing associations and local authorities are an obvious start point but remember ALMOs and even contractors operate exclusively in this sector. Likewise with your vocation, housing is not just about housing officers and care. The whole range of professions are employed; finance, procurement, HR, marketing and property, to name but a few.
Employers in the housing sector use agencies for permanent and temporary work: While I would say this, employers in this sector use agencies for not only permanent recruitment but also for temporary staff; whether this is for holiday cover or for the interim appointment of a chief executive. We are a vital cog in the wheel, so register with a reputable agency.
Use the housing institutes and industry bodies: The ones in this sector are very good and offer more than just housing advice. You can gain information on careers, further training and valuable networking events. Above all else, show passion. It's more than just a job, it can be a rewarding and interesting profession enabling you to make a difference to people lives.
Sean Tobin, partner at John Rowan & Partners and head of the company's Public Sector Regeneration Team
Arms Length Management Organisations are in need of support professionals: Some councils have contracted out the management/maintenance of their housing stock to organistions known as Arms Length Management Organisations (ALMOs). A number of contractors on the ALMOs decent homes projects require employment posts known as resident liason officers (RLOs). This post is required to offer support, guidance and advice to all residents where work is being carried out on there dwelling. This post supports the community in understanding the project deliverables and outputs.
These contractors' details can be found on any ALMO website and then you will need to go onto the contractor's website for career opportunities.
Look to local authorities for training, work experience and employment opportunities in housing: A London borough council that we work with have engaged in a policy of opening up opportunities for potential employment within their organisation. Support is provided to people looking for work via equal opportunities for all. Job seekers complete the guarantee programme which is a scheme that helps tailor career aspirations and goals with specific training and eventually interview opportunities.
Once the job seeker has completed the programme the council guarantees a job interview for council vacancies. If the candidate can demonstrate that they meet the essential criteria for the post they are seen by the recruiting managers. The contact you need to make for this would be to your local councils employment and skills regeneration officer.
Adam Tucker, partner at construction consultants John Rowan & Partners and senior member of the company's Residential, Development and Regeneration Team
Work out what you value and what matters to you in your work: My belief is if you are motivated (by more than just money) and care about what you do, you will end up being successful. Be creative in your applications, add something about you which will make you stand out. For instance I was a Big Brother'contestant (in New Zealand) some years ago, that always raises questions.
Know the housing industry and the companies you apply to: Do lots of background digging on the company you intend to work for; check the website, press releases and so on. Keep abreast of industry developments, be informed, read industry-standard publications such as the Guardian Society supplement, Inside Housing, Property Week and Building.
Think local when looking for experience in the housing sector: Have you asked your local registered social landlords and housing associations whether they have opportunities? Most larger RSLs have a benefits and welfare advice officer(s).
Persevere. I wrote to 50 registered social landlords in London asking for a job: I started in social housing after having completed a BSc in real estate management at Oxford Brookes in the early '90s. I did my dissertation into move-on accommodation for the homeless and as part of this worked as a volunteer in a direct access hostel. As a result of this I realised that without a roof over your head life can be desperate and I wanted to combine my interest in property and desire to be a surveyor with a social conscience, so, following a moment of revelation I wrote to 50 RSLs in London saying "I'd like a job", and one of them wrote back and I got a job. I worked for this RSL for many years enjoying the challenges immensely.
Jill Allcoat, representing the Chartered Institute of Housing
Find out what area of housing suits you through work experience and volunteering: Gaining experience will be so beneficial and will support you in establishing a route into a housing career. It would also support and build on the knowledge that you have gained throughout your volunteering role, which is also really beneficial. Continue to have a look at the websites, journals and resources to see what posts are about, there is such a vast amount of different opportunities within the sector and get a feel for the type of housing work you may be interested in.
Do you have any thoughts about which area of housing you wish to go into? The Why Housing? book in the careers section of our website is also a great resource to help you get started. Housing is high on the political agenda and there is lots of exciting development in the sector.
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has a wide range of qualifications and courses to support the housing profession: For example, if you were interested in continuing within the area of housing advice work and building on your existing experience you could do the Level 3 Certificate in Housing Advice Services course. If you wished to consider a more generic qualification you could consider the CIH Access Level 4 course. This course is aimed at those who already hold a degree (non-housing or non-related degree). This qualification will provide a foundation programme for those wishing to further their career in housing.
Chris Gillam, assistant director of HR at L&Q, a housing association based in London and the south east
Housing suits people with a positive attitude, a commitment to excellent customer service and those who are driven by job satisfaction: My experience tells me, people with a positive attitude, a commitment to excellent customer service and those who are driven by job satisfaction rather than financial rewards will do well. It's really about a can-do attitude rather than qualifications. Forward thinking RSLs are really looking at business in a competitive way, it's all about customer satisfaction.
