Having returned home, you may decide that you wish to work with an international development organisation.
You should ask yourself the following questions before you begin to search for work in this sector:
- Is my goal to work overseas or to do international work while based at home?
- Do I prefer working in an office or in the field?
- What type of work do I want to do – direct service, advocacy, economic development, policy/electoral, or community organising?
- Do I want to work for a small organisation where I may have more hands-on work, or a larger organisation that may be more stable?
Learn About the Development Sector
If you wish to work more formally in the development sector, it’s important that you learn about the sector and its requirements. A good way to do this is through making contacts and networking. Let as many people as possible know that you are searching for work. Making contact with prospective employers face-to-face is recommended and more productive than sending CVs in the post or by e-mail. Don’t be afraid to telephone or call into the organisations you think you might like to work for and let them know that you are available. Try and get the name of an appropriate contact person, for instance a manager or personnel officer – someone who has the power to hire you. They will usually prefer you to make an appointment with them in advance of a meeting.
The development sector, however, is not an easy area to enter. While obviously volunteering overseas will help, and educational qualifications in the area would further boost your chances, even then it might be necessary to get involved with organisations on a voluntary or internship basis, if possible. This can give you a valuable insight into the sector if you’re new to it; it can get you up to speed if you’re returning; it fills what might otherwise look like a gap on your CV; and when paid vacancies do arise you are much better placed if people know your work and you know the organisation.
Career advice:
One of Comhlámh’s services to returned volunteers is one-to-one career advice. If you’ve been working in a voluntary capacity in a developing country for more than three months, Comhlámh will subsidise nearly all the costs of the session. The career coaches, who have a good understanding of development work and the Irish jobs market, will assist you in whatever area of the job search you most require support with. Contact the Services Officer in Comhlámh’s Dublin office for details. Comhlámh also has a jobs page on its website, which is a good place to start for your job hunt. Don’t be disheartened if you are not offered the first job you apply for. Looking for work is hard work in itself and takes time. Don’t give up; try and keep motivated, energetic, committed and positive. For more information on job hunting and relevant websites, see Comhlámh’s Coming Home booklet.