The inside story: How to get a job at Cerebral Palsy Alliance

Ever wondered what hiring managers are looking for when they recruit for Australia’s most sought-after ethical organisations?

In this series, we interview the people who hire at the organisations where you want to work — and we’ll give you the inside knowledge you need to make your next job application amazing. 

This month we speak to Saul Bunton, Manager, Talent Acquisition at Cerebral Palsy Alliance (CPA), an Australian nonprofit organisation helping babies, children, teenagers and adults living with cerebral palsy and other neurological and physical disabilities.

(You can check out the roles that Cerebral Palsy Alliance is currently advertising here)

Hi Saul, thanks for chatting with us! To kick us off, can you tell us a bit about what Cerebral Palsy Alliance does?

Cerebral Palsy Alliance (CPA) is a ground-breaking, global centre of expertise for cerebral palsy services and support, research, technology and innovation, and advocacy. 

We are a unique institution that houses all these elements under one roof in the quest to achieve our vision: a world of opportunity for people with cerebral palsy and similar disabilities, and their families. 

Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in childhood. It affects movement and posture in more than 17 million people worldwide. Since 2006, CPA has reduced the rate and severity of CP by a staggering 40% – what a difference in just one generation!  

With our main services based in NSW and ACT, our fundraising, advocacy, technology and research teams extend our impact on a global scale.

What are some of the things that might attract candidates to apply to work at Cerebral Palsy Alliance?

Making a difference is at the core of what we do, helping individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. That underlying mission naturally creates a vibe of good feeling, respect, and a positive, supportive workplace culture – basically a great bunch of people.

We work hard to invest in you whilst you develop your career making a real impact. There are clear career paths, whether aiming for leadership or specialisation, mentorship programs for guidance and professional development with workshops and access to the latest research.

CPA is a respected leader in disability support, known for innovation and advanced technologies. We offer competitive salaries, health and wellbeing programs, generous leave, and flexible arrangements to demonstrate our value of work-life balance. 

For allied health professionals, CPA offers daily opportunities to make a difference, backed by a multidisciplinary team and a dedicated clinical educator. Your comprehensive learning journey includes specialist learning, supervision, and shadowing experienced therapists. 

Regional roles come with extra perks like relocation assistance, additional leave, housing assistance, and travel allowances – especially beneficial in regional areas with lower living costs and being surrounded by beautiful nature.

Join CPA to be part of a team of great minds, supported by world leaders in research and innovation, ensuring the best care and making a real difference every day.

So walk us through the recruitment process at Cerebral Palsy Alliance

We advertise job openings on EthicalJobs.com.au, on our website, online job boards, through direct sourcing and professional networks. Candidates submit applications online, including a resume and cover letter. 

After an initial phone interview, shortlisted candidates are invited for an interview, focusing on skills, experience, and cultural fit. Further interviews may involve a panel and technical assessments then there are reference and background checks to verify employment history, performance criminal records, qualifications, and certifications.

Successful candidates receive a formal job offer with role, salary, and benefits details in an employment contract for them to review and sign. New hires receive start date and pre-employment information and undergo orientation and role-specific training, and some are paired with a mentor for support.

This structured process ensures we select candidates aligned with our mission and values.

What are the top things you look for when assessing a candidate application?

Essentially, we want to know about all your strengths, about you and what you can bring to CPA. We are proud to say that all our teams work hard to deliver excellence and we want you to do the same.

Depending on the role you are applying for, we look for a mix of basic and specialist skills. 

Basic skills include empathy and compassion, excellent communication skills (verbal and written), teamwork, adaptability, strong problem-solving skills, efficient time management, professionalism, high ethical standards and confidentiality. 

Specialist skills include clinical expertise in your specific discipline, such as speech pathology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or exercise physiology. It’s important that you can apply evidence-based practices to deliver high-quality interventions and be able to use specialised equipment and technologies for use in disability support and therapy. It’s good to have a commitment to continual learning through professional development, training, and workshops and a client-centered approach that focuses on tailored interventions to meet individual needs and goals and ensures active participation and empowerment of clients. 

These skills ensure our team can provide exceptional support and make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals with cerebral palsy.

What’s the most common mistake you see candidates make in their applications?

One common mistake made by candidates in applications is not tailoring their materials to the specific role or the organisation. Using a generic resume or cover letter that doesn’t address the requirements of the job or highlight relevant experiences can significantly reduce your chances of standing out.

It’s really important to carefully read the job description, research the company, and customise your resume and cover letter to demonstrate how your skills and experiences align with the position and organisation. This tailored approach not only shows your genuine interest but also increases the likelihood of catching the employer’s attention.

And if they make it to interview, who is a candidate most likely to meet on an interview panel at Cerebral Palsy Alliance?

Initial conversations are usually with the People and Culture team who can answer questions about the role and discuss your background and interest. The initial interview panel will usually be with the hiring manager and one or two additional people you will be working with or in your line of work. 

What advice would you give candidates to improve their interview skills?

It’s always a good idea to call ahead to speak to the hiring manager to ask them questions about the company, what skills they are looking for and to get a better idea of the specific skills required in the role you’re applying for. 

Check out the website to get an idea about what we do and our mission and values. Practice common interview questions, highlighting relevant experiences using the STAR method for behavioural questions. 

Highlight your soft skills like communication and adaptability and prepare thoughtful questions for the interviewer. Actively listen during the interview and be authentic, letting your personality shine through. 

Afterwards, seek feedback to identify areas for improvement and refine interview skills for future opportunities. These steps will help you present yourself effectively and increase your chances of success at CPA.

Finally, what advice would you give to someone who wants to work at Cerebral Palsy Alliance but perhaps doesn’t have the right qualifications or experience?

For allied health roles, take education and training courses in the appropriate fields such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or speech pathology to get certifications and attend workshops related to cerebral palsy and related disabilities.

There are many volunteer roles at CPA that support individuals with disabilities that can give you hands-on experience as well as internships or entry-level roles in healthcare to build relevant skills or find a mentor who can help provide guidance and opportunities. Join professional associations to network and stay informed.

Let us know about your passion and commitment to working with individuals with cerebral palsy, apply for support roles at CPA to gain relevant experience and advance internally and tailor your resume to highlight your skills, passion, and commitment to CPA’s mission.

Thanks Saul!

You can support the amazing work that Cerebral Palsy Alliance is doing here