Telethon graphic

Student Caller FAQs

When and where is the telethon taking place?

Calling will start on Monday 17 February 2025 and the last shift will be on Sunday 16 March.

Calling will take place remotely.

You must attend the compulsory paid training days on Saturday 15 February and Sunday 16 February, held in-person at the South Kensington Campus.

How do I apply for a job as a caller?

Please apply using the application form. This will ask you to answer questions and record a video.

The deadline for applications is Friday 9 January at 9am.

Will there be an interview or selection day?

Yes. Shortlisted candidates must attend a Caller Selection Day, taking place virtually.

Caller Selection Days will be held w/c 13 January.

You will be contacted on the email address provided on your application regarding your selection day if you are shortlisted.  

Who is eligible to apply for a job as caller?

All current students of Imperial are eligible to apply, provided that you have proof of your right to work in the UK. You can find details of the documents you are required to supply here. You must have a very good level of spoken English.

How many callers are you recruiting?

We need a reliable team of around 35 callers to ensure the campaign is a success. A maximum of 18 callers are required for each shift.

How much do I get paid and how often?

You will receive an hourly rate of £16.68 (including holiday pay) for all shifts. Your wages will be paid monthly. A UK bank account is necessary for payment to be issued.

You will also need a National Insurance number. To apply for a National Insurance number, please visit https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number for more details.

Callers are added to Imperial's payroll system as Casual Workers, and wages will be transferred monthly via BACS into your bank account.

When are the shifts?

Shifts take place during the weekday evenings and at weekends.

Callers can indicate during the selection process if they’d prefer to work Rota A, Rota B, or if they have no preference.

Rota A - Monday (17:45-21:00), Thursday (17:45-21:00) and Saturday (9:45-17:00).

Rota B - Tuesday (17:45-21:00), Friday (17:45-21:00)* and Sunday (13:45-20:00).
*The first Friday (21/02/2024) will be a day off so Rota B's first shift will be on the Wednesday (19/02/2024)

How many shifts can I work per week?

You must be able to commit to a minimum of 3 shifts per week, which includes 2 weekday shifts and 1 weekend shift. The aim is for the shifts to be flexible, particularly as they are remote, and work around your studies and other commitments.

It is important that you meet these requirements to aid your development as a caller.

Please ensure you are also working within your visa requirements if you take on additional shifts.

What if I can't make a shift for any reason?

You must not sign up for a shift unless you are sure that you will be able to make it. When you sign up for a shift, that represents a firm commitment that if you are allocated it you will be able to attend. However, as with any job, if you are ill or an emergency occurs, then you must inform the shift supervisor as soon as possible so that alternative arrangements can be made, such as a shift swap.

Will I receive any training?

Yes. There will be paid caller training, which is a combination of on-demand webinars to be covered in your own time, and in-person training days taking place 9-5pm on Saturday 15 February and Sunday 16 February. You must be available for both of these training days, held at the South Kensington campus.

Attendance at all training sessions is compulsory  and you will be paid an hourly rate of £16.68 for completing the training. Callers will also receive ongoing training throughout the campaign.

Can I take part if I'm based at another Campus (e.g. Silwood Park)?

Yes - calling is taking place remotely, allowing for flexibility in location although you must be based in the UK.

Is this cold calling?

No. All alumni contacted will have received notification that the campaign is taking place, and will be expecting your call. If for some reason this is not the case for particular alumni, this will be made clear to you.

Do you raise much money?

Yes. In our Autumn and Spring campaigns in 2023-24, we raised almost £230,000 in alumni donations.

Is speaking a second language advantageous?

Yes. We have a large number of international alumni and will be making calls to some European countries, so a good spoken level of another European language would be useful but not essential.

What if I don’t have a National Insurance number?

In order to work in the UK, you will need to apply for a National Insurance number. However, you are still eligible to apply for the job if you don't have an NI number yet. For more information please visit https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number.

Do you want to see my CV?

No. We will only accept fully completed online application forms, submitted before the application deadline. Please don't send us your CV.

Any further questions?

Please contact the team at rg_lg_team@imperial.ac.uk or on +44 (0)207 594 9330.