Writing a successful CV for an international development role can seem like a daunting task. But with some tips and guidance, you can create a CV that stands out from the competition and captures the attention of potential employers. By following a few key pointers, such as including specific experience, listing your technical skills, and demonstrating a commitment to international development, you can craft a CV that will get you noticed and help you get to the next step in the job-seeking process.
1. Understand the Job Description
Before starting your CV for an international development role, the most important thing is to understand the job requirements. Carefully analyse the advertisement or job description and make a list of the essential criteria needed to apply. You should not only look at the qualifications and experiences needed but also pay attention to the knowledge, skills and abilities that are helpful to the role.
Vital Qualifications
For international development roles, employers generally look for candidates with qualifications in a related field such as sociology, economics, international relations, or urban planning. It is also important to consider whether any particular language skills are needed for the position you are applying for. Having any additional qualifications, such as a master’s degree, can be beneficial.
Personal Attributes
Along with strong educational qualifications, many employers require applicants to display certain personal qualities. Soft skills such as the ability to communicate effectively, think critically, and collaborate with others are essential components of an ideal candidate. Additionally, having a track record of producing high-quality work and demonstrating a commitment to the job are both important.
2. Highlight Relevant Experience and Technical Skills
Your CV should be tailored to the requirements of the job you are applying for. When focusing on the experience and technical skills section of your CV, make sure to include any past experience you have that is related to international development. List skills such as foreign languages, regional knowledge, and experience with specific programmes or technologies.
Professional Experience
Highlight any professional experience relevant to the position you are applying for. This could include internships within international development departments or experience gained from working in an international context. Make sure to include job titles, organisation names, and the dates worked for each role.
Technical Skills
For international development roles, it is important to include any technical skills you have in your CV. These could include specialized software or data analysis experience. Include keywords related to any specific research or project management tools you are familiar with or any experience you have with quantitative and qualitative tools.
3. Demonstrate a Commitment to International Development
International development roles often require applicants to display a strong commitment to the work they will be doing. Your CV should demonstrate this commitment through the experiences and activities that you have undertaken throughout your academic and professional life. This may include volunteer experience with international organisations, extra reading or research into the field, or any international travel you have undertaken.
Volunteer Work
Any volunteer work that you have undertaken in the past should be included on your CV, especially if it is relevant to international development. Be sure to mention any responsibilities that you handled and any particular accomplishments you achieved whilst volunteering.
Publications in Relevant Fields
If you have published any research or articles in the field of international development, be sure to include it on your CV. Highlight any titles of the publications you have written and the outlets they have been published in.
4. Format Your CV
Once you have written all the vital components of your CV, it is important to make sure it is properly formatted and visually appealing. Use a clear and easy-to-read font and a clean, simple layout. To avoid clutter, make sure to limit the use of bold and italics. Any additional sections such as interests or relevant languages should be kept brief and concise.
Use Bullet Points
Make sure to use bullet points when outlining job responsibilities or technical skills. Avoid lengthy sentences and use helpful action verbs to convey your tasks. This will make the information easier to absorb and make more of an impression with potential employers.
5. Showcase Your Adaptability
Finally, ensure your CV emphasises your adaptability and flexibility. International development roles often require employees to work in different countries, climates, and cultures. Provide examples from past experience that demonstrate your ability to work in dynamic and challenging environments and handle multiple responsibilities.
Demonstrate Cultural Awareness
Showcase your cultural awareness and open-mindedness by detailing any past interactions with people of different nationalities and backgrounds. This could include travel to new places, work experience in another country, or academic projects that involved different cultures.
People Also Ask
What is needed in an international development CV?
An international development CV should include key qualifications and experiences related to the role, including any formal education in a related field such as sociology, economics, or international relations. The CV should also include technical and soft skills, volunteer work, publications, and demonstrate a flexibility and openness to new cultures.
What is the best way to format an international development CV?
When formatting an international development CV, it is important to use a clear font and simple layout. Make sure to limit the use of bold and italics and use bullet points when outlining job responsibilities and technical skills.
What should I include to show commitment to international development roles?
When applying for an international development role, the best way to demonstrate commitment is to include any volunteer work, relevant publications, and overseas work experience you have. Additionally, show your openness to new cultures by including any interactions you have had with people from different backgrounds.
What activities can I include on my international development CV?
Activities you can include on an international development CV include Intern and volunteer experience, regional knowledge, language skills, research, project management and publication in the field.
What type of experience should I list on an international development CV?
You should list any experience related to international development, such as professional experience obtained from previous roles, internships, setting international development objectives and programmes. You should also include any relevant skills you possess such as project management or data analysis.
Final Words
Writing an effective CV for an international development role requires a thorough understanding of the requirements of the role and the technical and personal skills necessary to do the job. Tailor your CV to the job description, emphasize relevant experiences and demonstrate commitment to international development. By following the tips outlined above, you can effectively showcase the qualifications and experience that you possess and make your CV stand out from the competition.