The inside story: How to get a job at The Man Cave

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 Daniel Paproth, Communications Coordinator & Facilitator at The Man Cave, a preventative mental health and emotional intelligence charity that empowers boys to become great men.

(You can check out the roles that The Man Cave is currently advertising here)

To kick us off, can you tell us a bit about what The Man Cave does?

Man Cave is a preventative mental health and emotional intelligence charity empowering communities to raise generations of healthy young men. Right now, there is no clear Rite of Passage for boys into manhood. We run healthy masculinity programs for young men and those who surround young men. Our core offering sees our team of diverse, relatable facilitators running in-school, full-day, immersive programs with young men in high schools.

We also offer professional development programs for educators, as well as programs and keynotes for adults. These programs are designed to be transformational, and to support the psychological and emotional development of a boy, so he can become a healthy young man. This is how we’re redefining the journey to manhood.

What are some of the things that might attract candidates to apply to The Man Cave?

Man Cave attracts candidates with our unique approach to workplace culture and values. By “walking the walk” and bringing advocacy work into the office environment, it creates an authentic and impactful experience.

Employees feel valued and part of a wider ecosystem that emphasises emotional intelligence and inclusion. The focus on professional and personal development through weekly check-in sessions, along with fortnightly ‘honouring’ sessions, in which we gather to share wins, highlights and recognise each other for our contributions, highlight our commitment to fostering an empowering workplace culture, making it an appealing destination for prospective candidates.

So walk us through the recruitment process at The Man Cave

The recruitment process at Man Cave revolves around valuing the individuality and passion of each applicant for the cause. The focus is not only on their experience and qualifications but also on their alignment with mission and values.

Transparency is paramount throughout the process, and all questions are encouraged and answered openly. Shortlisted candidates are invited for in-person meetings with a diverse group of organisation members to assess cultural alignment and determine the best fit within the organisation.

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

When assessing a candidate application at Man Cave, we prioritise more than just the merit of their CV. We look for a genuine passion for the movement and their alignment with our mission. Experience within the not-for-profit and education sectors is valued to understand their familiarity with relevant contexts. Most importantly, we seek individuals who aspire to contribute to and thrive within a culture built on open dialogue, collaboration, and support.

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

We love to see applicants’ individuality and personality in their cover letters! Relying solely on experience and qualifications without sharing real-life examples of their work and their passion for making a positive impact on young boys and their communities is a missed opportunity.

We encourage candidates to express their genuine commitment to the cause and their unique contributions, as this helps us better understand their fit within Man Cave’s mission and culture.

And if they make it to interview, who is a candidate most likely to meet on an interview panel at The Man Cave?

If a candidate lands an interview at Man Cave, they’ll probably meet a diverse mix of people from within the organisation. A candidate would chat with both folks from the leadership team and those who work on the ground in our prevention programs. This way, we get to know you in a kind and friendly way, both professionally and personally.

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

To ace your interview, be sure to share real-life examples of how you’ve used your skills and education. Let your personality shine through and show the interviewer why you’re excited about joining. We love to see your unique qualities and how you can add to our awesome culture. So, don’t hold back, let us know why you’re the perfect fit!

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

If you’re enthusiastic about joining Man Cave but feel concerned about lacking the ideal qualifications or experience, fear not! We highly value our people and the diverse qualities they bring, not solely focused on formal credentials. Your real-world experience, genuine passion, and individuality hold significant weight in our assessment.

If you’ve encountered challenges akin to ours, that’s definitely a valuable aspect we can all learn from and appreciate. Therefore, we encourage you to apply and let us discover the unique qualities you can offer to our organisation!

Thanks Daniel!