How to transition to a career in global development

For most job seekers, it’s almost always the same: You send out a resume hoping for the best — and more often than not, little happens. But if you want to kickstart a career in international development, have you tried knocking on that organization’s door in Cameroon lately? That’s just one piece of advice Kate Warren, Devex’s former director of global recruitment services, shared in a 2013 Devex Career Google Hangout entitled “How to transition to a career in global development.” The online chat is a follow-up to a similarly titled webinar Devex hosted in 2011. Since then, the aid industry has changed quite a bit, with the emergence of new donors and power players to the sharpened focus on public-private partnerships and value-for-money. Hiring trends and practices, in turn, have changed as well, so Warren answered questions from job seekers on a variety of topics. Chief among them is the conundrum: How do I get the international experience that most global development jobs expect job candidates to have? “This is the classic chicken-and-egg question that many aspiring development professionals confront,” Warren said. Though it tasks people all over the world with improving lives and spearheading positive change, international development doesn’t always show the same compassion to those looking to break into the field. Volunteering, noted Warren, is a great way to gain the necessary experience. Watch the webinar: How volunteering abroad can kickstart your global development career There is also the riskier, yet often rewarding, tactic of picking a location — based on language or contacts — and moving there, then knocking on doors to make yourself available to organizations doing work in the country. Job seekers should look at smaller aid groups that might not be flooded with the same number of applications as larger international organizations like CARE or Save the Children, Warren recommended. And don’t forget that your help might be needed at home, too. “A lot of people are looking to get those first experiences in the field and it can be really hard to get those overseas jobs without previous experience,” said Warren. “But if you start working in a home office environment, you can do some short- term travel and over time you build up that international experience.” For those in a developing country, Warren suggested they look at opportunities close to home. Chances are that they will find groups that are implementing development projects. More likely than not, the number of local organizations is on the rise as donors look to partner more with indigenous groups. If you’re still worried that your resume isn’t as filled with international experience as you’d like, highlight your transferable skills from other jobs that directly relate to the one you’re interested in. But remember to use the same language and terminology as the posting to show you’ve done your research. Watch the webinar: CV makeover: Extreme edition Not all organizations advertise every internship, so take a look at organizations that are doing the type of work you’d like to do and approach them by letting them know exactly what you would be able to accomplish for their organization. Those with an undergraduate or higher degree — say in economics — who would like to transition to development should look at a major donor they’d like to work with and then check out its contractors or NGO partners. Working with those implementing partners will give you the experience and connections you may need later to land that coveted mid- to senior-level post with a major institution like the Asian Development Bank, explained Warren. Though networking is hugely important, people are hired solely based on their online applications every day — as long as they meet minimum qualifications, of course, and tailor their cover letter and CV to show how. A cover letter is an opportunity to elaborate on some softer skills that are harder to frame in a CV. “Always start your cover letter with a really strong sentence explaining how you check all the main boxes of the qualifications of the job,” Warren says. The challenges of creating a linear career in international development are well known, so tailoring goes for those who may be “overqualified” for the position they are interested in, as well; in that case, you may need to downplay your previous experience and write a strong objective statement to clarify your interest and what skills would make you a strong fit. While you’re searching or waiting for the right opportunity that matches your qualifications, try consulting on a project — it may help you fill some of the skills and experience gaps that have kept you from landing your dream job. Have any advice on how to transition to a career in global development? Please leave them as comments below. You can check out our Doing Good page for more career tips or subscribe to our YouTube channel for more webinars and videos. See more: Careers in international development: You ask, Devex answers Starting your career in international aid and development Getting your next development job How to transition from the private sector to international development Career transitions: How to figure out if an aid job is right for you