Devex Career Hub: Coaches answer pressing questions from job seekers

My favorite parts of our career events are usually when our audience gets to ask questions directly to our experts. Since we often run out of time to answer them all, I assembled a panel of career coaches for 60 minutes with the sole purpose of addressing your most pressing queries about the global development and social impact recruitment process. In this edition of Career Hub, I’m sharing a few highlights from this past week’s roundtable event with seasoned career coaches. Plus, new job postings from UNICEF, Relief International, and many more top development organizations. + Want to see salaries on Devex job board postings? To view these, you do need to be logged in at Devex.com with at least a Community Membership account — if you don’t have one, you can create it now for free. A Community Membership account also gives you access to more Devex articles and events. Or, try a Career Account with a 15-day free trial to unlock all career advice articles, events, and much more. Top jobs this week 1. Project Finance Specialist (Compliance) U.S. International Development Finance Corporation United States 2. Deputy Programme Director: Baby Friendly Initiative UNICEF UK (United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF) United Kingdom 3. Director – Program Management & Technical Support Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) India 4. Protection Consultant Relief International Chad + See the full list Your questions answered Here are a few questions about the global development and social impact recruiting process that came up during our recent Q&A event with seasoned career experts. The responses have been edited for length and clarity, but watch the full event for free to see all the answers and many more insights to other questions. I had to take a two-and-a-half-year career break due to family reasons. What are the recommended steps to return to humanitarian work? Stephanie Mansueto, social impact job hunting coach: Employment breaks are not uncommon, whether they be due to parental leave or just taking a year off because you just want to travel. Remember that you’re not obligated to tell an employer why you took that break, as it could be for a very personal reason, but transparency can be helpful on a CV. You should feel comfortable noting when and broadly why these breaks occurred. How can I project confidence when writing a cover letter for a job application? Mike O’Connor, career consultant: Speak really specifically, in that opening paragraph, to how the values of the organization latch to you personally and make you want to work for said organization. You’re trying to hit them with a hook of “This is why I want this, and this is why I’m applying for this.” So in the intro, you’re focused on the why, and the body is really about your background that is pertinent to the specific thing that you're applying for. What are some best practices for making real and valuable connections on LinkedIn? Caroline Korda Poole, career coach: As the person you’re trying to connect with could be swamped with many messages and connection requests, it's always nice if there is some actual existing connection to reference. Maybe it’s someone that you know through your alumni network, or another friend or colleague, or someone you in the community [who could make an introduction for you]. I will always, always respond to somebody that comes from someone in my network who is making that introduction. Watch: Social impact career experts advise on CVs, networking, and more Become a ‘systems thinker’ “Start where you’re at and apply this lens to your work. What small shift can you make to start thinking about things in a different way?” --— Morgane Allaire-Rousse, freelance systems-thinking adviser The ability to think systemically has become a sought-after skill for professionals across various development sectors, as it can transcend traditional silos and enable individuals to better understand the intricate and dynamic web of interconnections that shape our world. But developing this attribute requires much more than formal education. It is a skill that can be nurtured through practice and a shift in perspective. Curious? We spoke to seasoned systems thinking advisers who shed light on how global development professionals add systems thinking to their career toolkits in order to better tackle complex challenges with a creative and comprehensive approach. Read: How to cultivate a systems-thinking approach to development work Members-only jobs this week 1. Senior Energy Specialist International financial institution South Africa 2. Program Coordinator Private aid agency Ethiopia 3. Donations & Database Support Coordinator Development organization Australia 4. WASH / Same Program Coordinator International humanitarian organization Worldwide | Niger + See the full list Curated Candidate Lists: Recruiter pick Take your career to the next level by updating your Devex profile with your latest professional experience today. Get featured in Career Hub and be considered for exclusive Curated Candidate Lists that can unlock exciting job opportunities! Career level: Senior-level with 12 years of experience. Areas of expertise: Global and public health, program management, humanitarian emergencies, and more. Elevator pitch: “I am a global health specialist with many years of experience working in health systems strengthening, programme management and coordination in fragile, conflict or low-income countries. I have technical expertise in advising governments, health emergencies, partner management, resource mobilisation, health systems and monitoring and evaluation.” View Martina’s full profile + Our in-house recruitment specialists are currently compiling talent pools based on specific global development skill sets, from information and knowledge management experts to monitoring, evaluation, and learning specialists. Candidates can update their Devex profiles to be considered, and employers can learn more here. Around the watercooler News and views from around global development worth knowing about. • Want to fix the food system? There are a few career paths that don’t necessarily fit the mold of a traditional global development job. Four specialists share what goes into their work and the skills needed to address increasingly complex food-systems challenges. • Loyce Pace made history as the first woman and person of color to lead the U.S. Office for Global Affairs. But getting there was no smooth ride. Pace shares insights about her difficult career journey. • Get to know Alexander Soros, who is taking the reins from his billionaire father, George Soros, as chair of one of the biggest philanthropic organizations in the world — the Open Society Foundations. To keep up to date with all the must-read global development coverage, be sure to sign up to the daily Devex Newswire. 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.