World Service Enquiry
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
World Service Enquiry
information and advice
www.wse.org.uk/pc.htm
Kevin Cusack
International Development
Career coaching and mentoring
www.kcoach.net
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Working in Development
Volunteer for Development
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Job and CV Advice
• No answers… just some ideas!
• Job sites
• Applications and CVs
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
First, Questions…
1. Are you the ‘right’ kind of person?
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
First, Questions…
1. Are you the ‘right’ kind of person?
2. Do you have relevant skills?
3. Do you have 2+ years work exp?
4. Do you have evidence of
commitment to the sector?
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Why you?
•Moses Johnson is a
development worker
employed by CAUSE
Canada.
•Masters Degree
International Relief and
Development Studies
from Uni of Sierra Leone
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Criteria?
• Usually somebody with a professional
training and/or skill base.
• Have at least 2 years post qualification
experience. Further employment may well
require 3 to 5 years experience in the field.
• Can show the ability to cope and is able to
work with limited resources.
• Has lived outside of Europe, i.e. has
travelled, worked or volunteered overseas.
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Ways in?
•‘Typical’ would be someone who began as
a volunteer in the UK who then spent some
time with an NGO overseas (possibly as a
volunteer) and used that experience to
move on to an HQ programme-related job
OR
•Developed a professional skill outside the
sector, and through showing commitment as
well as skill was able to transfer.
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Where do you start?
• Research, research and research
“I was on the Internet 10 or 12 hours a day,
searching for jobs and researching
information about companies.”
• Network
• Don’t send long rambling emails to every
agency you can find!
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Real (Short) Email…
To Whom It May Concern,
I am a media graduate who is very
interested in taking up paid
international work preferably in Nigeria
but I do not have experience of
working with NGOs.
Please advise.
Sincerely,
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
What’s out there?
• Technical
– infrastructure, irrigation, watsan, public
health, food distribution, needs
assessment, judicial reform
• Management/Administration
– project direction, technical advice,
coordination with donor agency/local
government, project reports
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
What’s out there?
• Research
– typically at think-tanks, nonprofit
organisations, universities
• Look at the job market…
•To see where you fit (or not)
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
The Sector
• NGO, Charity, Social Enterprise, Civil
Society groups
• Commercial companies
• Consultancies
• Academic
• Government/Europe
• Bilateral and multilateral agencies
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
What types of jobs?
Accountancy
Outreach Worker
Fundraising
Administration
Human Resources
Advocacy
Humanitarian Support
Campaigning
Information Technology
Communications
Marketing
Copywriting
Logistics / Warehouse
Office Support
Country Programme
PA / Secretarial
Management
Policy
Creative Design
Publishing
Development Education
Media / PR
Editing
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Job Market
• thirdsector.co.uk
• jobs.guardian.co.uk
• crownagents.com
• europa.eu
• eurobrussels.com
• faststream.civilservice.gov.uk
• indeed.co.uk, indeed.co.za …
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Job Market
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Reliefweb.int
Eldis.org
Devex.com
Oneworld.net
bond.org.uk - concordeurope.org
Internationaljobs.org
Devnetjobs.org
AdamSmithInternational.com
wyg.com
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Job Market NGO types
• skillshare.org
• internationalservice.org.uk
• islamic-relief.com
• worldjewishaid.org
• worldvision.org.uk
• aidsalliance.org
• alertnet.org
• UN Jobs - https://jobs.un.org
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Job Market
• microfinancegateway.org
• environmentjob.co.uk
• pacificislandjobs.com
• ngosindia.com
• hotjobskenya.com jobvacancieschina.com
• afghanaid.org.uk
• charityjob.co.uk
• wse.org.uk International Development jobs page
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Great minds
DONT
think alike
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Things that will help…
• Start small
think outside
of the box
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Start Small
• CamFed
• Railway Children
• Cambodia Action
• Send a Cow
• AbleChildAfrica
• Azafady
• Bees for Development Trust
• Voice of Dalit International
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Things that will help…
• Start small
• Develop transferable skills
• Commitment/Passion
• Network (talk)
• Join/Support
• Volunteer
• Languages
French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic
• Internships
• Temping
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Passion
• International Development
• Gender
• Children
• Education
• £1
• Find your mission!
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Engage your passion
• Full time
• Part time
• Job share
• Volunteer
• Virtual Volunteer
• Fundraise
• Alternative holiday
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Virtual volunteer
• thesite.org/workandstudy/volunteering
• volunteermatch.org
• UNV Online Volunteering service
– onlinevolunteering.org
• What can I do?
–
–
–
–
Administration and maintenance
Campaigning, consultations and research
Media and publicity
Website/Blog and online communities
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Training
• Academic Training
Development Studies Association
www.devstud.org.uk
Reliefweb www.reliefweb.int
• Short course
RedR www.redr.org
Bond www.bond.org.uk
Merlin www.merlin.org.uk
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Applications
• Do as instructed – 2 pages, block capitals
• Application form.
• CV and cover letter.
• Both!
• You must match what they require.
• Note: overseas contracts are fixed term.
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Application requirements
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
•
Qualification.
Specific experience/knowledge.
Generic skill sets.
Commitment to cause and diversity.
Fit into the organisation.
Give Evidence
–
–
Hard skills
Soft skills: personal qualities
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Employment facts
• Sight Savers
Head of Research, Haywards Heath
• Progressio
Programme Support Officer, London
Central Services Administrator, London
• Doctors of the World
Events Assistant (3 days PT), London
Consultant (2 weeks), Haiti
• REDR
Communications Officer, London
• MedAir
Human Resources Manager, S Sudan
36 6
55 5
35 5
36 6
55 7
70 5
147 2
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
And
• 6 more
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Oxfam Criteria
• Well developed interpersonal and team
skills and proven ability to be flexible in
demanding situations and ability to work
under pressure and in response to changing
needs.
• Sympathy with the aims and objectives of
Oxfam.
• To be familiar with and abide by the
NGO/Red Cross Code of Conduct and with
the Sphere Humanitarian Charter and
Minimum standards.
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Save the Children Criteria
5. Personal Interests, Skills, and Circumstances:
a. Commitment to Save the Children's mission
and values
d. The resilience and personal circumstances
to be able to travel within the country…
e. Awareness of own strengths and
weaknesses and evidence of commitment
to self-managed personal development
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Common Errors
• Not meeting the criteria
• Not following instructions
• Bad layout (CV)
– Font too
– Lack of white space
• Spelling and punctuation [eye for detail]
small often used to save space
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Common Errors
• Bold + underline+ italics
– Never use italic
• Qualification and modules
• Stupid or work email address
• Undersell ability
• No facts: £ and #
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Your CV
• How did you arrive at
the current format?
• Did you analyse it’s
purpose?
• How long is it?
• Why would I want to
read it?
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Write a master CV
• A CV is a sales document; tell them
what is relevant to the person spec.
• Don’t send a generic CV; each job
requires you to highlight different
experience.
• You don’t have to disclose everything;
it’s not your life story!
• Know your skills to match the criteria.
• Select relevant information with facts
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Write a master CV
• And the problem with a
• Your master CV should list everything you
chronological
CV is…
have done.
• Used as a reference when you are either
filling in an application form or writing a job
specific CV.
• Common CV forms:
Chronological and Functional/Skills based.
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Targeted CV
Name
Address
Telephone
Email
Profile/Statement
Skills with evidence
Where and when
Interests
One or two pages
it’s
advert
- not your
life story
Noan
age,
nationality,
marital
status, referees, picture or
fancy fonts
give hard facts
substantiate Razors Edge or
Access
Max Eggert
Tell them what you are
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Why use a targeted CV?
• Hook HR to read
all the information
You do this by:
• Profile
• Relevant info with
facts
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Kevin Cusack
34 King Crescent, Upton Cross, CR4 3HP, England
Mobile: 070 52 21 54 38 Email: [email protected]
An energetic and successful Project Manager with a range of
experience working in overseas development projects for 4 years,
specialising in Capacity Building. Proven leadership skills in managing,
developing and motivating international and local teams to achieve
programme objectives.
Key Skills
Project Management
• Managed information gathering in order to determine priorities for
agriculture, education promotion and health initiatives with
community members in rural Mexico
• Oversee financial management of projects and as team leader in
Zambia responsible for £60k budgets
Coordination
• Coordinate information flows, networks and knowledge with staff,
partners and international donors
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
And…
• Interests
– Can back up your application give
evidence of values, personality and
motivation
• And so what???
– “Proficient with MS Office”
– “I have travelled to Uganda, Tanzania,
Chad, Sudan, Egypt, India, Bolivia,
Chile, China, South Korea, Spain”
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Cover Letter
• Generate interest
• 1 or 2 pages?
• Your pitch of how you can solve their
problem
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Cover Letter
• NEVER use ‘I believe’ or ‘I think’ or ‘I
am interested’
I believe that I can greatly contribute
to…
I desire to contribute my work
experience to working for a leading
NGO…
I think I am suitably qualified…
I am interested in working for you…
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Facts
• FACTS FACTS FACTS
with examples
•
Never tell them what they do
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Career Changers
Don’t assume that:
• Need to volunteer.
• Need to get an ID qualification.
• Need to have overseas experience.
• That you can take your wife, children or
the dog overseas.
• Will make the same money!
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Working in Development
It’s popular. It’s competitive. It’s hard
But not impossible!
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Difficult… Not Impossible
PA to Programme Manager
Ute was working as a PA to two Directors
of a major financial institution in London
and was studying a Diploma in
International Development at Birkbeck
College.
In a frenzy of cold calling agencies trying
to find overseas work she was referred to
World Service Enquiry.
Now she has worked with a range of
INGOs in Africa and Haiti.
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
5 Top Tips
1. Qualifications
2. Know your skills
3. Know the sector
4. Evidence of
commitment and
5. Survivability
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Other help
• People in Aid
ID HR with free info
• monster.co.uk, peopleunlimited.co.uk
jobs, career advice, job hunting, CV tips
• cv4.biz – CV writing service
• Come and talk to me - kcoach.net
Career consultation, job hunting strategy,
help with CVs
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011
Stay focused and determined!
Job-hunting and CV advice: wse.org.uk ©copyright 2011