New year, new job? Many at least entertain the idea during this annual period of self-reflection. But as someone who has given up on the idea of splashy New Year’s resolutions and who is quite happy at his current job, I say it’s perfectly fine to strive for merely improving upon one or two smaller aspects of your life.
For those looking for just a bit of inspiration, this edition of Career Hub compiles the top pieces of advice that working professionals have shared with us in recent months. But if you’re really itching for a big change, I can also help you up your networking game and find the right fit at an organization. Plus, you can explore job opportunities at the U.S. Agency for International Development, Innovations for Poverty Action, and more.
P.S. Need a CV makeover? Join me and Devex’s in-house CV and cover letter expert, Heidi Arriola, on Wednesday, Jan. 12, at 9 a.m. ET for in-depth advice on how to maximize your skills and experience to create a standout application. Register now for free.
Top jobs this week
Political Director, Productivity for Prosperity
PricewaterhouseCoopers Pvt. Ltd.
Tanzania
Data Specialist
Innovations for Poverty Action
Philippines | Côte d'Ivoire | Sierra Leone | Bangladesh | Zambia | Nigeria | Uganda | Tanzania | Ghana | Kenya | Peru | Mexico | Colombia
Communications and Records Management Assistant
USAID
Senegal
Employee Relations Specialist
International Rescue Committee
Remote
Tipsheet: New Year’s resolutions
“The passion for my job, and my ability to … bring others together to solve complex problems, has seen me through my [working] years.”
— Anne Dix, Botswana country representative, USAIDOur ongoing series on globaldev careers features discussions with professionals in the sector and insider accounts of what it is truly like to work in various roles around the world. Here are some of the top tips we’ve recently collected from those who know best to help you succeed in 2022:
• Go abroad. “Something that I regretfully didn't do and that I do encourage other people to do … is to spend some time overseas working with humanitarian programs, if you can. You'll better understand the challenges the people affected by the crisis and your colleagues, frankly, are facing,” says Lauren Post, a now-former director of humanitarian aid policy at the International Rescue Committee.
• Pursue your passion. “I encourage young people, especially women, because [there is a lack of women in] climate expertise ... to not be afraid [to pursue this interest]. I am not a climate scientist but can [still] support [and] contribute to the implementation of climate services,” says Yacine Fall, a climate expert at NORCAP.
• Listen first, explain later. “[The] number one [skill] is listening — listening to donors ... to the things that inspire them, the things that interest them, and finding ways to form a connection,” says Lena Alfi, the chief development officer at Malala Fund.
Read: Top 7 career tips for global development professionals in 2022
Learn more: The 7 top career advice articles of 2021
One big question
How should I approach networking on LinkedIn? We’ve all received random LinkedIn connection requests from people we’ve never met — and usually with no hint of why they’re reaching out. But it’s actually quite easy to make valuable new contacts on the platform with folks you don’t know (yet) by taking a few simple steps:
• Make sure to personalize your connection request with a short message, and take note of any common ground you may share, whether you attended a panel event they took part in or know someone who works at their organization.
• Don’t be shy about reaching out to recruiters directly. “Find recruiters that work at those companies [you’re interested in] and then connect with them on LinkedIn. Their job is literally to find people like you,” says career coach Jennifer Bangoura.
• If you fail to land a connection initially, be patient and click the follow button in the meantime. Doing so sends posts they share about their company and job opportunities to your feed, which you can comment on to get their attention.
Read: 5 tips for finding the right employer in 2022
Watch: How to network successfully online
More resources: The 2022 job hunt
Kick-start your job search by using one of our global development CV templates, with added guidance on how to maximize your skills and experience.
Explore: Devex’s recruiter-ready CV templates
Strong references are crucial for any job search, but job seekers often overlook how important these can be in their strategies.
Read: How to make the most of your references
Many global development organizations favor competency-based interviews to evaluate candidates. Read up on a few of the tips we’ve gathered from HR to help you prepare.
Learn more: How to prepare for a competency-based interview
Members-only jobs this week
Human Rights Partner
Sustainability consultancy
Spain | South Africa | Belgium | Romania | Italy | Poland | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Netherlands
Individual Consultant
United Nations agency
Remote
Technology Fellow
Philanthropic foundation
United States
Programme Associate
International women’s fund
Netherlands
Ask an expert
You have questions, Career Hub has answers, thanks to Devex’s network of expert job coaches and consultants.
I'm looking to transition into international development, but I have unease about the best way for me to start. How do you recommend I get started?
Where to begin depends on a lot of factors, including your desired lifestyle, your current skill sets and future goals, the type of organizations you like to work with, and where you want to live and work. It can be overwhelming, so I suggest you narrow your focus by gaining clarity first.
Here are a few questions to get you started. I suggest you use a pen and paper to write down the answers:
1. What is your “why” for wanting to transition into international development? Is it because you want to live or work abroad? Is it because you want to use your current skill set in a context where you have a positive social impact? Do you want to work with specific groups?
2. Have you thought about the kind of organizations — corporate philanthropies, consultancies, NGOs, think tanks, universities, international groups — you’d like to work with?
3. What strengths and skills do you want to use? What new skills do you want to develop? Do you have experience in specific sectors or technical skills that you want to continue with in your career?
Once you have more clarity, use Devex’s "find organizations" function and research groups that fit your initial criteria. Then, start reaching out to learn more about their activities, the kinds of roles they have, and the types of people they employ.
Simone Anzböck is an executive coach for ambitious international professionals. She has extensive experience in international development and currently consults with the U.N. Development Programme in Myanmar. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.
Have a career development question? You can email Devex’s careers editor directly.
What we’re reading
What events can development professionals look forward to this year? Check out Devex's preview of the sector's noteworthy gatherings, and stay tuned for more event coverage. [Devex]
Here’s what top researchers and expert practitioners know about the future of work and management that they didn’t know a year ago. [Charter Works]
How can you achieve your definition of career success? An executive coach poses five questions to help you find out. [Harvard Business Review]
Sign up to Devex Career Hub for global development’s top jobs, expert career advice, and practical tips to help you do more good for more people.
About the author
Justin Sablich
Justin is a contributing writer and editor who previously led Devex’s careers content strategy. Before joining Devex, Justin served as the managing editor of Springwise, covering sustainable and climate-tech innovation across all business sectors. He also spent over 13 years as an editor and writer for the New York Times, specializing in digital content production and strategy while producing written and multimedia content on a range of topics, including travel, sports, and technology.
