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Developing jobs in development

Sara Wolcott | Saturday 31st January 2009

Deb recently put up a great post about networking to your next great job; as a MA student looking at a troubling economic environment when I graduate, I appreciated her great suggestions. I'm going to add a few of my own suggestions that people in one of the most competitive fields around have been telling me.

1. Attitude is Everything

It's easy to get depressed, especially in today's Scary Headlines climate. One of the best recommendations I got was to make it a game, and to expect rejections. In fact, 'play' for 10 rejections - while trying to get the job, also know that you might get 10 rejections before you find something, and there is Nothing wrong with that!

The last time I was seriously job searching, I did two things that helped: one, I made a point of seeing every new conversation as an opportunity to build my community (not just my pile of business cards). I'm all about sustainable development, after all - I want to be able to sustain myself and my own development as well! And that means building a knowledgeble and supportive community- not just for this job for the next decade (or more).

The second thing I did was to light a candle as a visual reminder that the world was much, much bigger than any one job I may or may not get and may or may not like even if i got it. I am not what I do or don't do. My worth rests outside of any title I do or don't have. Repeat.

2. Don't go in Alone

Create a group of other people to do your job-search with who are looking for similar jobs. If you want to do on-the-ground work building people's capacity, find others who are looking for similar work and share experiences, job sites,etc. And, importantly, when you do get interviews, write down the questions from the interview immediately afterwards, share them with your group of friends, and Practice answering those questions. If you are all doing this, you WILL come up against most questions you are likely to be asked.Working with others not only gives you a supportive community, it also helps you hone what you want and how you want it - which is often the most difficult task. JustMeans is a great site to find other people like yourself. Use this site well!

3. Do what needs to be done; do what you love

I was recently talking with a friend from West Africa about job-hunting, and she said with a laugh that showed no fear and a great deal of zest for life, oh, you just need to create your own job!

It's not as unusual as it sounds, especially in development. Afterall, economic downturn or not, there is NO shortage of good work that needs to be done. Whether its volunteering, short term (that often turns into long term), or paid work, make a commitment to yourself and your community that you will start doing what needs to be done that also sets your heart afir right now, even if 'only' in a small way. For me, that meant starting my own radio show (with no money) about development. For a good friend, it meant building a conference about socially responsible investing. For another friend, it meant helping basket-weavers in Uganda have access to greater markets. The possibilities are endless.

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