Advancing your career can be especially challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. On August 12th, Hayley Mundeva, Founder and CEO of ThriveHire, and Alli Bunting, Manager, Programs & Operations for CanWaCH, answered questions from students and young professionals during a live chat on Facebook.
Alli: There are non-profit organizations that want to work with youth in your community. I would recommend doing a Google search to find out who is doing work that you’re interested in and reaching out to them! If you are in university or college, then participating in co-op programs is also a great option!
Alli: That is a great question. I was surprised when I started my own career in the diversity of types of positions available in international development! You can work in the sector, yet be working in communications, human resources, finances, etc. My advice would be to find the practical, technical area that you are interested in. Then, you can match those skills with the cause or mission that you are passionate about before you start looking at open positions.
Hayley: The best way to gain relevant skills in international development is to “get out there.” For instance, you can get involved with international development organizations via an internship or fellowship position, volunteering, or entry-level jobs. Transferable skills can also be “relevant” skills that you will often apply to your next job, so it is also a good idea to emphasize those skills when you’re reaching out to these organizations about different ways to get involved.
Hayley: Ensure that you are tailoring your application to the specific job and organization (do not copy and paste). Show tangible reasons why you are coming to them. Is it their mission? Can you weave in a story through your cover letter that showcases why you’re passionate about that mission? Customization is key!
Alli: When reviewing applications, we look for a clear articulation of skills and experience. My top tip is to make sure that you tailor your cover letter to the job description. The employer can often tell when it’s just a vague or ‘boilerplate’ cover letter. I look for cover letters that show that individuals have an understanding of the role and have no grammatical errors!
Hayley: ThriveHire is also offering services for job seekers who want their cover letters and/or CVs reviewed. You can sign up here.
Hayley: Volunteer experiences can be a great way to get your foot in the door. Look for experiences that may not be directly related to your field of interest, but can allow you to gain transferable skills (e.g. communication skills, admin skills, etc.). These skills can be great to showcase on your resume. It is less about the specific volunteer opportunity, but your ability to showcase what skills and insights you gained during the process, and how you plan to apply in the future.
Hayley: Many organizations are excited and keen to hear about ways to get youth involved in their work. Rather than seeing it as an impediment, it can actually be a strength in many ways. Reach out to them directly stating that you’re an emerging professional who’s keen to diversify your skillset and to share youth perspectives. Organizations like the Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research (CCGHR), Canadian Society for International Health (CSIH), and Canadian Global Health Students and Young Professionals Summit (GHSYPS) often have ongoing opportunities to check out.
Alli: Hayley is absolutely correct! There are also organizations, like CanWaCH and ThriveHire, that gather information and opportunities! You can check out our page for youth opportunities or our job board here.
