Ask Devex: How do I transition from a multilateral to an NGO job?

Dear Kate, I was in an international nongovernmental organization and am now working in a multilateral organization. How do I transition back to INGOs? — Career Transitioner Dear Career Transitioner, This is a question I frequently hear, including sentiments that a long resume within a multilateral organization such as the United Nations system can at times be a liability when job hunting in other sectors. Each sector has its own way of operating, own vocabulary and own networks. There is often a preference for hiring people already immersed in each world and a lack of understanding of, or appreciation for, people who come from a different background. Those who have built careers within a multilateral have performed in conflict and post-disaster scenarios and taken on massive challenges such as global poverty and maternal and child health. But these attributes can often be overshadowed by perceptions of inefficiency, bureaucracy and lack of innovation or results. Forced retirement, increased mobility and staff cuts across agencies have left many experienced professionals on the job market wondering how they can make their skills and experience an asset, not a liability. While you are uniquely situated because you have experience both in the INGO and multilateral worlds, here are some things anyone looking to transition out of a multilateral should do. 1. Avoid “multilateral speak” When describing your experience in a CV, cover letter or during interviews and networking conversations, drop the multilateral lingo from your vocabulary. No one will know what you mean or be impressed that you were a D-2 or P-5 in the U.N., nor will the myriad of acronyms you have become accustomed to using in everyday conversation resonate with them. One of the fears employers have is that someone with a long career within a large organization will not be able to operate in a very different environment. Using specific terms is a signal to the employer that you are still immersed in that system, so you want to communicate that you understand how things operate outside of it. 2. Try to dispel negative stereotypes A strong brand reputation cannot be easily changed overnight, nor by one person alone. However, you can show future employers how their perceptions of the multilaterals and its employees may be wrong using yourself as an example. A good approach to changing mindsets is to tell stories. Talk about the innovative approach your department took to implement a health project with the private sector or about the quick response you organized after a disaster, citing data and performance metrics. While they may still think the public sector is just one big bureaucracy where nothing gets done, they may walk away thinking you are the exception. And over time, these stereotypes may begin to break down. If you have previous experience in other sectors, talk about how the work you did at the multilateral is similar or how lessons you learned could be applied in a nonprofit setting. READ: Debunked: 4 myths about working for the United Nations 3. Focus on your positives When a recruiter or hiring manager outside of the public sector looks at a resume from a current or former U.N. or World Bank employee, the knee-jerk response may be for them to focus on the negatives like the stereotypes mentioned above. So you will need to help them focus on the positives, such as: No organization is truly as global as these multilaterals. Working across cultures and with multiple stakeholders is core to its DNA, while other industries are just now trying to catch up. Multilateral employees are working on some of the most difficult and important challenges the world is facing, often under immense political pressure and tight budgets. Resilience, resourcefulness and a strong sense of vocation — attributes commonly found within these organizations — would be valuable in any context. If you have previously worked in the private or nonprofit sectors, this breadth of experience and ability to view challenges from multiple perspectives is a unique strength employers value as well. READ: Looking for a job in a different sector? Leverage these 5 development-specific skills 4. Understand your partners. They may be your future employer If you’ve worked within a multilateral, you have likely partnered with or worked alongside other development actors such as NGOs and consulting firms. If you want to continue a career in international development, these will be prime target employers. There are more opportunities for entry-level candidates and there are no age limitations for people in their retirement years. They also tend to hire a lot of expertise on a short-term or consultancy basis for those who don’t want to jump into another full-time position. Know who these organizations are, how they operate and what kinds of positions they employ. Build relationships with them while still working at your organization so you will have a broader network when ready to leave. Search thousands of employer profiles to find organizations working in the countries and on the issues that interest you. See who is hiring, which skills they value and insider insights to help you discover your next employer. 5. Highlight your previous INGO experience on your CV In this Devex reader’s case, you already have previous experience with an INGO. However, if it is further back in your CV, it may be overlooked. Make it more prominent by including a “key qualifications” section in the top of your CV where you can highlight your diverse background and the most relevant experience to the jobs and organizations you target. Since many NGOs either get funding from or partner with multilaterals, your internal knowledge of how they operate in addition to understanding the NGO world will likely be seen as an asset. DOWNLOAD: Recruiter approved global development CV and resume templates 6. Talk your way to it The people I’ve seen best manage a big career transition were those who talked their way to it. They didn’t just apply to jobs and hope to get called back, but they knocked on doors, networked with everyone they knew and took the time to explain their skills and experience to employers. It may not happen overnight, but with some dedication, it is entirely doable. If you have a question about your career in global development, send me an email at askdevex@devex.com, submit one anonymously here or tweet me @DevexCareers. Looking to make a career move? Visit our career center for expert advice on how to navigate your job search — all you need is a Devex Career Account to get started.