If you're looking for a career change and want to join the exciting world of international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), you might be wondering how to make your CV stand out from the crowd. After all, INGOs are looking for people who have the skills, experience, and passion to make a difference in the world. But how do you show that on a piece of paper?
Here are some tips on how to edit your CV to make yourself attractive for the INGO sector:
- Start with a summary statement. This is a short paragraph that summarizes your main qualifications and achievements and explains why you're interested in working for an INGO. It should be tailored to the specific job you're applying for, and highlight your relevant skills and experience. For example:
"An experienced project manager with over five years of experience in leading humanitarian and development projects in Africa and Asia. Skilled in budgeting, monitoring and evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and team management. Passionate about improving the lives of vulnerable communities and advancing human rights."
- Use keywords and action verbs. INGOs often use automated systems to scan CVs for keywords that match their job requirements. To increase your chances of getting noticed, use keywords that reflect the skills and competencies that the INGO is looking for. For example, if the job description mentions "advocacy", "partnership", "communication" or "innovation", make sure you use those words in your CV. Also, use action verbs to describe your accomplishments and responsibilities, such as "managed", "delivered", "coordinated", "designed" or "advocated".
- Highlight your achievements and impact. INGOs want to see not only what you did, but also what you achieved and how you made a difference. Quantify your results whenever possible, using numbers, percentages, or indicators. For example:
"Managed a $2 million project to provide water, sanitation, and hygiene services to 50,000 refugees in Muwonleru, achieving 90% of the project targets within budget and timeline."
"Coordinated a partnership with 10 local NGOs to advocate for the rights of women and girls in Malefalafia, resulting in the adoption of a national action plan on gender equality by the government."
"Designed and delivered a training program on disaster risk reduction for 100 community leaders in Kutuwenji, increasing their knowledge and skills by 50% according to pre-and post-tests."
- Showcase your transferable skills. If you don't have much experience in the INGO sector, don't worry. You can still demonstrate your potential by showcasing your transferable skills that are relevant for any INGO job. These include communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and learning ability. For example:
"Communicated effectively with diverse stakeholders, including donors, beneficiaries, government officials and media, using various channels such as reports, presentations, newsletters and social media."
"Worked collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team of 20 staff members from different backgrounds and countries, ensuring mutual respect and support."
"Solved complex problems in challenging contexts, such as conflict zones or natural disasters, using creative and innovative solutions."
"Adapted quickly to changing situations and priorities, responding flexibly to new demands and opportunities."
"Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and respect for local values and norms, learning from different perspectives and experiences."
- Keep it concise and clear. Your CV should traditionally be no longer than two pages, preferably one. Use clear headings, bullet points, and white space to make it easy to read. Avoid jargon, acronyms, and technical terms that might confuse the reader. Use simple and professional language that conveys your message clearly. Proofread your CV carefully for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
By following these tips, you can edit your CV to make yourself attractive for the INGO sector. Remember that your CV is only one part of your application package, so don't forget to also write a compelling cover letter that explains why you're the best candidate for the job.
Grace to You!