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How to apply for a human rights job: a thread.
I am reviewing CVs, and I have some thoughts, which might be useful to someone.
1) Your application--CV, cover letter, etc--should be in the language the post was advertised in, even the post requires ability in multiple languages
I am reviewing CVs, and I have some thoughts, which might be useful to someone.
1) Your application--CV, cover letter, etc--should be in the language the post was advertised in, even the post requires ability in multiple languages
2) Your cover letter should not be more than a page long and should not just explain how awesome you are but also why you would love to have THIS job.
3) If writing a personalized cover letter seemed like too much of a pain, you might not really want this job. That's okay.
3) If writing a personalized cover letter seemed like too much of a pain, you might not really want this job. That's okay.
4) Don't forget to list your language skills in your CV. Think really hard about how to describe them. Don't big them up too much (an employer will check) but don't be to modest either.
5) If there's a personal reason you really want this job, say so in your cover letter. The best cover letter I ever read was about someone's grandmother.
6) Make your CV and cover letter easy to read and concise and for the love of god run spell check and proof read it.
7) I don't care if you're Bill flipping Gates--your CV does not need to be longer than two pages (you can have one extra page for publications/awards/languages).
7) I don't care if you're Bill flipping Gates--your CV does not need to be longer than two pages (you can have one extra page for publications/awards/languages).
8) Please don't paste your official job description into your CV to describe what you do or did in a particular job. It endless and full of jargon and will give potential employers a headache. Write 1-3 clear sentences describing what you actually did all day.
9) If you're flinging CVs and a standard cover letter at a million openings, I totally get it--I've been in a panic about finding a job before too. But it might be better to take the time you're using on that and use to really strategize about and pursue what you want more to do
[Do a better job of proof reading than I am!]
10) On your CV, put most recent experience first. Put experience before education unless you’re a recent graduate.
11) Don’t forget to put the location for each job. If you’re applying for an international job, include the country.
11) Don’t forget to put the location for each job. If you’re applying for an international job, include the country.
12) Okay, this point might seem unfair, but... If the online system gives you a choice of Mrs., Miss, or Ms. (Why on earth does it even do that? Must discuss with HR...), and especially if you're applying for a women's rights job, I'm gonna suggest you pick Ms.
13) I can't emphasize the cover letter thing enough, especially if you are changing careers. It's cool when people make big changes. I know someone who worked for the CIA then became a public interest lawyer then a special ed teacher. But you have to explain what you're doing.
14) I guess this relates to cover letters too. We want you to really CARE. We want you to be on fire over human rights, including some people might think are controversial--abortion, sex workers' rights, migration, counter-terrorism, etc. Some passion in a cover letter is good!
15) Online systems where you have to fill a million boxes totally suck, I agree. They make it easier for the recruiter, not the applicant. But if you don't fill in the boxes and attach your documents, it makes it hard to consider you. Take the time if it's a job you really want.
16) Also a CV that doesn't have clear dates for when you worked where (month/year) doesn't work.
17) It can be good, if you are in a job already, especially if you've been there for a long time, to explain in your cover letter why you're looking to do something new.
17) It can be good, if you are in a job already, especially if you've been there for a long time, to explain in your cover letter why you're looking to do something new.
18) If the website asked you to upload a CV and cover letter and you uploaded ten documents and none of them was a cover letter, the reviewer might get grumpy.
Still going through CVs, so a few more thoughts...
19) Definitely a good idea to list volunteer positions in a separate section of your CV to your full time positions. Can get confusing otherwise as you may have had several jobs at once.
19) Definitely a good idea to list volunteer positions in a separate section of your CV to your full time positions. Can get confusing otherwise as you may have had several jobs at once.
20) And this is really important...If you have contacts, use them. Employers get hundreds of applications. If a colleague or someone they know emails them and says "This person is great/comes highly recommended," that definitely increases how close a look you'll get...
This is problematic, of course. These networks can lead to employers hiring again & again from the same pool--the same schools, social circles, etc. Employers should fight that tendency, do broad searches/outreach, seek recommendations from diverse partners, be anti-racist, etc.
As a candidate, you should use whatever contacts you can. Met someone at a conference or online or socially? Worked at the same organization before as an intern or consultant? Not much to lose by asking someone to put in a good word for you, and plenty to gain.
Last thing, I swear.
20) There is approximately a 100% chance that a potential employer is going to do an internet/youtube/social media search for you.
20) There is approximately a 100% chance that a potential employer is going to do an internet/youtube/social media search for you.
