Presented by Frankfurt School of Finance & Management – Online Programmes
For many job seekers, the hunt may go a bit something like this: Scroll, click, apply, and then, maybe, try to connect with someone at the organization you’re applying to. If this isn’t converting into many job interviews for you, there might be a better way.
“What we've noticed is that people fundamentally approach the job search, even really smart and accomplished professionals, just approach it in the reverse order of how It's actually effective and successful,” Dan Freehling, a global development careers and leadership coach, told Devex Career Account members during our most recent digital event.
In this edition of Career Hub, Freehling explains how a “backward job search” works and why it’s more effective. Plus, featured job postings from the likes of IOM, the Education Outcomes Fund, and much more.
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Top jobs this week
1. Programme Manager / Chief of Party
International Organization for Migration
Ghana
2. Head of Communications and Advocacy
Education Outcomes Fund
Worldwide (Remote)
3. Evaluation and Learning Specialist
RTI International
Philippines
4. Senior Director, Programs (Europe / Middle East)
Habitat for Humanity International
Slovakia
The backwards job search, explained
“Start with that informational networking and relational networking to get a much better sense of where you might be a good fit.”
— Dan Freehling, career and leadership coachDon’t get me wrong, I love a good job board and am proud to call Devex’s board an incredible job-hunting resource. But you might want to think about the order in which you are approaching key stages of a job search, especially when it comes to networking. It could make your job board scrolling a lot more fruitful.
For many job seekers, “It's like, okay, I've already applied, and now I want to network,” Freehling said. Instead, you could “flip that entire process around” by “networking upfront as a way to get a better sense of where you're going to be a good fit.” This is the essence of what Freehlinng calls the “backward job search.”
Networking efforts made after an application tend to come across as transactional, and as other experts have told us, the most effective networking comes from a more genuine place of wanting to learn and helping others as much as helping yourself.
It’s about ultimately making smarter choices about the jobs you apply for when scrolling the job boards.
Start by connecting with “people you know, people you've worked with in the past, people that know your work, and [then] those people can set you up with people to talk to,” Freehling said. You’ll then better understand the “different options [or] different organizations” and whether they match well with your strengths before you tailor your materials and apply.
+ Watch our latest event for Devex Career Account members, featuring Freeling and social impact careers expert Spencer Campbell, who answered questions on a wide range of development career topics, including how to successfully transition into the development sector.
Data download: Top GESI employers
Our latest job board data analysis dug into the top global development organizations that work to ensure equality for all people, regardless of gender identity/expression and social background.
Here are the top 3 employers for GESI positions, based on three-plus years of Devex job board postings.
1. UN Women
UN Women is the United Nations’ dedicated organization for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls worldwide. The agency is currently hiring residents and nationals for a project analyst position in Moldova and a program coordination analyst in the Philippines, among many other positions related to social and inclusive development.
View all current job postings from UN Women on Devex.
2. United Nations Development Programme
UNDP is the leading agency working on poverty eradication and inequality reduction. It is currently looking to fill a project analyst on governance and gender role in Latin America and the Caribbean and is hiring a social participation and gender assistant in Mexico.
View all current job postings from UNDP on Devex.
ADB is Asia’s biggest finance institution committed to a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific. Current openings include consultant positions focused on insurance research and social protection in Indonesia.
View all current job postings from ADB on Devex.
Read more: The top GESI employers in global development (Career)
+ Sign up for the Devex Jobs Alert on LinkedIn: For many more of the top job opportunities in the social impact space from global development's largest job board, check out the weekly Devex Jobs Alert newsletter on LinkedIn.
Members-only jobs this week
1. Program Officer
private philanthropic foundation
United Kingdom
2. Human Rights Officer
United Nations office
Switzerland
3. Data Specialist
United Nations program
Kenya
4. WASH Specialist
International NGO
Venezuela
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!
Elevator pitch: “With over 20 years in NGO communications and advocacy, I've dedicated my career to crafting compelling stories and driving impactful campaigns. I've worked with organizations like the AIDS Healthcare Foundation Philippines and various USAID projects, managing social media and engaging diverse communities. Passionate about social change, I bring a wealth of experience in communications and a commitment to making a difference. Let's connect and make an impact together!”
View Paolo’s complete Devex profile | Create or update your profile.
Around the watercooler
News and views from around global development worth knowing about.
• Congressman to humanitarians: “Stay out of politics,” was the advice from U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul. But his message didn’t go over well with an audience of global development professionals during an InterAction event earlier this week.
• Foundation turns to a puppet for ethical guidance. Wellcome has created a character called Connie to ”bring our Code of Ethics to life, pose and support staff in answering important questions and dilemmas, and spark courageous conversations.” [Devex Pro]
• Backlash over MSF unit closure. Médecins Sans Frontières management told Access Campaign staff members that they would be laid off, and that the project, which advocates for access to lifesaving medicines, would be shut down by the end of 2024.
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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.
