International development resumes: What you need to know

Job seekers in international development have several choices when it comes to resume and curriculum vitae formats. But which among them do employers prefer? Based on interviews with hiring managers and development professionals, the reverse chronological and hybrid resume and CV formats appear to be the most popular. Both highlight the work experiences of applicants, with the most recent position mentioned first. Kate Warren, director of global recruitment services at Devex, said most applicants for positions in U.S. Agency for International Development-funded projects use the reverse chronological format. “USAID would want to see CVs and would not accept functional [skills-based] resumes,” Warren said. “Focus on your most recent jobs, titles, and locations. You need to demonstrate that you have all the skills they need, experience working on similar projects, or experience in the same country.” Kabwayi Kabongo, a recruiter with Catholic Relief Services, said CRS does not require a specific resume type but he prefers a hybrid type of CV. He said this format “is the best way to present a candidate’s skills and experience,” noting that it is widely used all over the world. He added that he wants to see language skills included at the top of the resume, as well as ability and willingness to travel. Thoric Cederström, director of private consulting firm Agro-Stability Development, acknowledged using the reverse chronological format. He said he makes sure that the first page will have as much information about his work experiences and skills set, in case recruiters “don’t read beyond the first page.” Meanwhile, Bruce Kernan, an environmental consultant living in Quito, Ecuador, who has worked on 40 consulting assignments in 12 countries, has developed a three-part CV format, with the first page summarizing everything about him, the second page detailing his experience in reverse chronological order, and the third and fourth pages indicating his experience by activity type. Resume length Warren suggests limiting a resume to three to five pages. “Beyond five pages [you] will lose the reader,” Warren said. “Be aware of certain keywords that show you’re right for the job. Typically, these would be words from job descriptions or in the types of jobs you are applying for.” Consultant Scott Harding agrees. “I have done some research on page length for this [reverse chronological] format and found only a few consulting firms have a three-page limit,” Harding told Devex. “But after exchanging e-mails with recruiters at some of these companies, I think it is generally assumed they should not be over four pages long.” Kabongo said CVs for consultants tend to be significantly longer than those for staff positions, and that the content of the CV is much more important than the length. For staff positions with donor agencies or NGOs, applicants usually just fill in an online application form, which requires them to answer questions before uploading their resumes or CVs. A reverse chronological or hybrid CV is usually a safe bet for such applications. Resume for project-based posts Some funding institutions such as USAID, the European Union and the World Bank have prescribed resume or CV formats. Warren recommends that applicants to any of these institutions know and follow these formats when drafting their resumes and CVs. In other words, those vying for positions in an organization handling World Bank-funded projects should use the World Bank format, and those who want to work with an organization funded by the EU should follow the EuropeAid format. “If you have it in the right format, it helps them see if you can be a good fit for the projects,” says Warren. Applicants for such positions should always include the titles and funding allocations in U.S. dollars of projects they have been involved in and the names of funders and contractors they have worked for. A $150 million project has more weight than a USD1 million program, of course. Organizations competing for donor-funded projects might ask the applicant to add more information after a CV is submitted, or it may rewrite the resume after asking more questions. Remember: The more work recruiters on the proposal team do with the resume, the more likely they will move on to another candidate. ‘Sell your experience’ According to Kabongo, consultants typically cite work histories “in a bit of a different way” by listing consultancies before other experiences, education, and so forth. “The point is to really sell your experience,” he said. Christine Dalpino, recruitment manager with International Relief and Development, said IRD prefers resumes that combine the functional and chronological formats because they focus on the candidate’s professional capabilities and accomplishments and allows the organization “to get to the heart of the candidate’s experience and true interest.” Dalpino’s advice to IRD job applicants: They should look at the job posting and see if they really want the post and are qualified for it. If so, they should tailor their resumes to suit the required skills and experience. Ultimately, IRD, which receives resumes from all over the world, is looking for the best candidate to fill the position, she added. “Not everyone is a professional resume writer and we are aware of that and take [that] into consideration when reviewing applicants,” she said. “However, the more clear, concise, and geared to the specific position, the more likely you will grab attention.” Still not sure if your CV is in the correct format and will make you stand out? Devex offers a CV formatting service for individual professional members. The Devex team can reshape your CV into the USAID format to help you get the USAID job you want. Read more resume and CV career advice: - Resume Formats for International Development Professionals - The Europass Resume: Tips for Drafting a Winning European CV - ECHO Resume Template for Humanitarian Relief Experts - Writing a Resume: What You Need to Know - Nonprofit CVs: What You Need to Know Read more career advice articles.