Don't get stuck in an internship rut

“I’m looking for someone who can tell me what they’ve done well,” Trish Ferrett, manager of recruiting and global human resources for Pact, told Devex’s Kate Warren in this video interview. Even if a job seeker is coming from a different sector, “results do transfer,” Ferrett said. So if you’ve managed a $1 million project or managed 10 people, make sure that you highlight detail, scope and results for the recruiter. “We love high achievers,” Ferrett said. “We just need help finding a way to make them work in the organization.” But a high achiever with several years of consecutive internships might be a sign that someone isn’t seeking real employment, she said. For those young job seekers who are interning while working a side job in retail or the food industry as well, don’t be afraid to include that on your CV, she advised, despite what some other recruiters might say. Ferrett, who worked retail herself, said that it shows hard work, commitment to long hours and knowledge of customer service skills. Customer service is critical in development, whether its internal to your organization or external to your client, your donor and the people in the communities you’re serving, Ferrett noted. “We don’t want to see someone stuck in the internship rut,” she said. “We want to see someone who is committed to their own betterment.” Watch the video to learn some of the biggest mistakes she’s seen on a CV and other practical career advice. Check out other CV tips: - Your successful global aid CV - Top resume mistakes local professionals make - How to be a CV showoff without overwhelming a recruiter Read more development aid news online, and subscribe to The Development Newswire to receive top international development headlines from the world’s leading donors, news sources and opinion leaders — emailed to you FREE every business day.