Developing your job searching skills

Just as practising evaluation requires specific skills, so does searching and securing jobs.

Key skills that you will need to advance your career include:

  • Resume/CV writing: Writing effective documents that highlight your experiences and qualifications and communicate why you are a good candidate for a specific job

  • Interviewing skills: Preparing for and navigating interviews in a way that highlights your suitability for the position while also allowing you to understand if the position is a good fit for you

  • Negotiation skills: Navigating salary discussions, benefits, and terms during job offers or contract negotiations.

The following steps can help you develop an effective job search strategy:

  1. Understand the job market: Identify key evaluation players in the country or region where you want to work. Connect with them on social media or subscribe to their newsletters for updates on new opportunities. Ask experienced evaluators for advice on how to learn about relevant positions. Explore job boards, VOPE (Voluntary Organizations for Professional Evaluation) newsletters, and other platforms.

  2. Target your applications: Customise your application materials (resumes, CVs, and cover letters) for each role. Show that you understand the position and emphasise how you meet the qualifications. Highlight specific skills, experiences, and keywords from job postings that align with your interests.

  3. Prepare ahead of your interviews: Draft questions related to the technical and transferable skills, qualifications or specific roles for the job position you are applying for. Use the STAR approach to write your interview answers:

    1. Specific situation: Describe a relevant scenario.

    2. Transferable skill: Highlight a skill you demonstrated.

    3. Action: Explain what you did.

    4. Result: Share the positive outcome resulting from your action.
      Don’t forget to confidently explain why you are interested in the position!

  4. Reflect and learn: Reflect on your interview experiences to identify areas for improvement. If you are not offered the job, ask for feedback to help you improve.

  5. Be professional throughout the process: Your behaviour during the hiring process matters. Maintain professionalism regardless of the outcome.

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