Keeping up with best practices for global development job applications can be head-spinning, but one in particular is so crucial that failing to abide could spoil your chances in the very early stages.
In this edition of Career Hub, I’ve curated the top tips that experts have shared with us on strategically applying keywords to your CV so that recruiters take notice. Plus, you can explore job opportunities at the United Nations Office for Project Services, Plan International USA, and more top development organizations.
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Top jobs this week
Senior Program Coordinator
Plan International USA
United States
Gender Equality Senior Officer
United Nations Office for Project Services
Myanmar
Business Development Manager
International Development Enterprises
Zambia | Ethiopia | Ghana | Mozambique | United States
Associate Director
Habitat for Humanity International
Costa Rica
Tipsheet: CV keywords
With piles of applications to sift through for every job posting, recruiters need to make quick calls on whether a candidate’s CV is worth a closer look, so they often check for keywords. Here are some tips from experts in the development sector on using keywords effectively:
• Look at the job description. Recruiters suggest using the job description as a guide for determining what words to work in. “If we say ‘lead,’ ‘facilitate,’ ‘communicate’ … refer to some of the keywords from the job description in your application,” says Lykke Andersen from the U.N. Development Programme.
• Be job-specific. Candidates should use keywords to “revise or tailor their CV directly to the position” to highlight their most important and relevant experience, says Maria Chaney, a former staffing specialist with Tetra Tech.
• Learn the lingo. Phrases that are common in global development, such as “program and project management” or “monitoring and evaluation,” can also be included when relevant, says Devex’s Kate Warren.
Read: 3 ways keywords play a critical role in development CVs
We’d like to know
Is there an SDG talent gap? A talent gap occurs when too few skilled professionals are available to accomplish an objective. But do development organizations have talent gaps in terms of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals?
Please consider taking a few minutes to share what you’re seeing in your corner of the development sector in this short survey.
Members-only jobs this week
Data Analyst and GIS Specialist
United Nations agency
Bangladesh
Climate Transparency Project Manager
Environmental think tank
Worldwide
Safety Professional
Sustainability consultancy
United States
Head of Mission
Anti-poverty NGO
West Africa
In demand: Information managers and grant writers
Our in-house recruitment specialists are compiling talent pools based on specific global development skill sets. These lists are exclusive to our top recruiting organizations. We’re currently looking for these mid-to-senior-level candidates:
• Information and knowledge managers. Responsibilities include supporting programs and clients in sharing strategic information with various audiences to ensure maximum utilization and impact, and strengthening organizational practices and business processes.
• Grant and proposal writers. Responsibilities include developing, writing, and coordinating donor proposals and technical reports.
We prioritize the most up-to-date profiles and CVs on Devex when considering candidates for inclusion. Get recruiters’ attention by updating your profile now. If you have yet to create a Devex profile, here’s how.
Explore more: Your guide to a standout online profile
Ask an expert
You have questions, Career Hub has answers, thanks to Devex’s network of expert job coaches and other experts. This Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.
When pursuing a new career path, how can I deal with my fear of failure?
First … I want to normalize the fact that we all have a fear of failing, especially in a professional context.
When you think about [the] fear of failing, what are you afraid of? … Is it what other people think about you? Or is it that you might lose your reputation, or that you might not get back up if you fail? ... For you, what's that “flavor” of that fear of failing?
There’s this term … “automatic negative thoughts.” And so if you know what those are, you can then start to really look at those and realize that it's an irrational fear.
In terms of overcoming [it, try] … stretching your comfort zone but not going too much out of it. … And you slowly build up your confidence.
Watch: How to carve out a nontraditional career path
Have a career development question? You can email Devex’s careers editor directly.
What we’re reading
Does gender pay transparency work? The EU wants to make pay transparent to help close the gender gap — but research points to potential trade-offs. [POLITICO]
Some remote workers want new benefits. Employers who update their perks to accommodate new working preferences may stand to gain in more ways than one. [ZDNet]
Lessons on organizational transformation. Advocacy group Women Deliver has undertaken an organizational shift, starting by defining concepts such as gender equality and anti-racism. [Devex]
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.
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.
