The 7 top career advice articles of 2021

Devex has spent the last 12 months speaking with some of global development’s top recruiters and career experts — uncovering a treasure trove of career advice for everyone from those just starting out to seasoned professionals looking to make a transition. The following were the most-read articles in 2021 by our audience of global development professionals. 1. Top recruiter tips for development CVs. With recruiters receiving hundreds, or even thousands, of applications for a single job posting, a candidate's CV needs to make a strong first impression if they are to succeed to the next stage. During conversations with recruiters from various development organizations, Devex asked what they look for in a candidate and what are some of the most common application mistakes they see. 2. 5 job application tips from USAID's chief of talent. In April, the U.S. Agency for International Development was halfway through a two-year hiring surge, creating and filling a pipeline for several hundred positions. The agency’s chief of talent shares tips for finding relevant roles and standing out as an applicant. 3. 5 soft skills that can give job seekers an edge. To help job seekers identify some of the key attributes that development agencies look for in candidates, we compiled this list based on the many conversations we’ve had with recruiters and working professionals from some of the sector’s top organizations. 4. What experience can help you land a job with USAID? Bob Leavitt, chief human capital officer at USAID’s Office of Human Capital and Talent Management, shares with Devex what the career opportunities are in the foreign service and civil service at the agency, as well as in-demand skills. 5. Devex's top advice for finding a job amid COVID-19. We speak to experts for their insights on how job seekers can understand which skills are in demand and ways to stay relevant between jobs. Here’s a roundup of our top advice pieces for finding a global development job amid a pandemic. 6. Recruiter insights: How to land a job with UN Women. When Devex spoke to recruiters from UN Women in February, we learned that the agency is looking for people who can demonstrate a commitment to its mandate and an understanding of why its work is relevant. We found out what else candidates can do to stand out and where there are opportunities for career transitioners. 7. How to write great CVs and cover letters. During an hour-long digital event in July, Heidi Arriola, Devex’s in-house CV writing expert, shared in-depth advice on how to make the best use of our recruiter-approved CV templates and how to maximize your skills and experience to create an impressive application.