Thread by @EnnieChipembere

Tips on how to get into NGO work or transition and grow in the sector from a Career Coach who has worked for 20 years in the sector...😊

A thread... 🧵

1. The NGO sector is professional like any other industry, so the usual advice for job search applies:
- have a Job search plan
- know what you offer
- research the market
- develop key documents
- profile yourself
- network

However, contextualise everything to the NGO sector.

2. Assess yourself - be clear about who you are and what type of NGO work resonates with you. So knowing your passion, purpose, vision, values, interests, personality etc helps.

Map what you can offer in NGO work - your education, training, transferrable skills, experience etc.

3. Explore the NGO sector and decide a type of NGO and the specific NGOs you want to target.

If you are not in the sector, understand how its structured: community based groups or networks; national NGOs, regional NGOs, International NGOs (INGOs). There are also umbrella bodies

4. NGOs work on a lot of things. This can be overwhelming, even for us in the sector.

Pick a focus on your interest area e.g. women, agriculture, governance, climate, learning, humanitarian etc.

You can research the NGO work via websites, social media, interview NGO workers.

5. Doing market research is your strength in job search or career transition.

You can do online research, but also pick 5 NGOs you can physically go to, or call and make enquiries.

Also review NGO sector trends - topical issues, jobs availability, funding, skills in demand etc

6. Plan your search - use your personal assessment and NGO research to narrow your focus and develop a criteria that works for you. E.g.
- type of NGO, pick 5 specific ones to target
- the NGO work and role you want to do
- working conditions
- job sources
- people who can help

7. One entry point to NGO work is to gain relevant experience & knowledge
- volunteer with community/church groups
- network with NGO workers/be mentored
- participate in NGO programs/Internships
- ensure current experience is transferrable to NGO jobs
- take NGO courses/degrees

8. Proactively position yourself for NGO work
- get a traceable profile showing your interest
- "get your hands dirty" via experience
- blog/write about your passion
- present at conferences/workshops
- engage on social media
- ensure the right NGO people notice you & your work

9. Equip yourself to get an NGO job by learning about NGO work -
- do NGO courses, many are free or offered by the NGO you want to target... ask!
- learn trends, types of jobs on the market, knowledge and skills, qualifications needed, hiring cycles etc
- join NGO groups to learn

10. Map NGO job sources and apply for jobs:
- NGO websites
- NGO workers as leads
- lean on your network e.g. where you volunteered
- NGO local and global job portals - Devjobs; Reliefweb; Devex; National NGO umbrella bodies
- NGO specific recruitment agencies - research these.

11. Develop an NGO Job Search Pack -
- ensure your CV is suited to NGOs and specific for each job
- use a cover letter to make your case
- prepare referees
- update your LinkedIn
- clean up social media footprint
- develop elevator "pitch" for networking
- prepare for interview

12. People hire you and people know where job leads are, so Network strategically
- identify NGO workers, follow them on social media or ask for time to learn about their work
- ask for mentor relationships
- participate in many free NGO activities
- ask to be connected to others

13. Entry into NGO work could also be via what you're studying, have studied, your research or your area of expertise built in another sector, which is transferable. Leverage this.

NGOs always look for people who can contribute to researches, add expertise to social issues etc.

14. Branding yourself for NGO work is a proactive way to get in
- work on who you are, image, expertise, social media posts, profile; work on your interview skills.

Getting into NGOs is not linear and can be short or long depending on the responses from the sector and your work.

Follow @EnnieChipembere for more threads and career advice on NGO careers, job search, CV writing, interview prep, personal branding, career planning, learning, work-life wellbeing.

I am a certified Coach and have worked 20 years in the sector covering 45 countries. #CoachEnnie