Tips for Career Changers

Most people out there will have many jobs over the course of their lives.   Some will stay within a relatively defined sector, but many will decide to take a jump into an entirely new field.  While this process may be a bit easier when jumping from one private sector job to another (or one non-profit job to another), it can be a bit more challenging going from the private sector to the non-profit world.  Below are some tips and things to consider if you are looking to make that jump from the private sector world to the international development world.

Key things to consider:

• Financial concerns:  Do some homework to find out what the expected salary range will be in the field/organization you are interested it before applying to make sure it works for you.  When it comes time for an interview, a potential employer will want to see that you are 100 percent committed to making this big change.
• Assess the competition:  One of the most common mistakes we see in the application process is with candidates applying for jobs that they are not even close to being qualified for.  If the job posting provides that a candidate must have an advanced degree in a very specific area and you don’t have that degree, you should really think strongly before applying.  If the posting provides that you must speak French fluently and you do not, you should skip applying.  Applying for jobs that are not even remote possibilities will show the resume reviewer that you are not really serious about this search and will probably lead them to pass without considering you for other potential job fits.
• Consider the people you may be working with when you apply:  one of the most refreshing aspects of the international development sector is that it is stacked full of some of the most talented, committed and fun to work with people in the world.  I am constantly amazed how smart the people are in our sector and how willing they are to put the mission of the organizations they work for at the forefront.  That means they are looking for similarly talented and committed people and that needs to show when you apply.

Things you can do to stand out:

• Getting up to speed:  If you are jumping into a field with little or no practical experience, consider taking some classes or attending some conferences related directly to the field you are interested in and display these efforts prominently on your resume.  This will show potential employers that you are committed to changing careers and have a deep commit to the work they do.
• Volunteer in the field: Most international development organizations have lots and lots of interns who are vying for full time paid positions.  They are often understandably the first candidates in line since they have showed their commitment and skills.  They have essentially gone through a very long interview already.  Volunteer opportunities will help you show prospective employers that you have gained some valuable experience and are ready to commit.
• Match your skills with the organization’s needs: If you are a finance professional, use your cover letter to show why your finance skills are valuable and transferable (all organizations need dedicated finance staffers).  If you are a management consultant, show target organizations that you have experience making companies more efficient, have extensive project management experience, etc.  Do not make the person reviewing your CV do the work of trying to figure out where you fit.  You are the best person to connect the dots from your resume to the job you want.
• Be flexible: If possible, express your willingness to take a job that may seem more junior than the one you currently have. It takes a significant amount of time to learn how any organization works, so be ready to be asked to take a step back and start at a lower level. If you have great skills and work hard, you should eventually be able to regain that ground.
• Be persistent: It can take a lot of time and effort to find the right job in a new sector, but persistence will pay off in the long run!