informational interviews

How to Ask for Informational Interviews in Digital Development

Recently I asked you to tell me about your job search dilemmas in digital development and wow! I received a wave of responses. Remember, if you want personalized responses to your questions, grab a career coaching session.

Now let’s explore the next installment: How to Ask for an Informational Interview

Informational Interview Question:

I have applied to countless ICT4D jobs via the normal online CV submission route but have heard (and can speak anecdotally to the fact) that there is a 4% response rate – so really the only way to get hired is to ask my network contacts for informational interviews.

The challenge: there is a thin line between asking for help and being overbearing even when trying to use my professional network.

Case in point, I recently asked to meet with someone fairly high up in an organization I would like to work with, and when I let her know I was interested in working there she never responded. It was probably not the best experience for either of us.

My Response:

There is certainly an art to asking for an informational interview and it starts with thinking of it as the beginning of a relationship, not a transaction. You should be genuinely interested in their work and career to better understand your own goals, and path to reach them.

Never, ever ask about working at their organization, which can feel transactional and often leads to them sending you to HR or the company website, if they respond at all.

Here is an example email that you can use to secure an informational interview:

Dear Susan,
I was speaking with Tim Smith the other day about mHealth programs in Vietnam, and he said you were an expert on it and that I should talk to you about my interest in the field. I’m about to graduate with an MPH and I’ve worked for a few years as a project manager with the Red Cross in Washington, DC, but I’m considering focusing on mHealth in Southeast Asia. I’d love to know about your career path, how you came to role with Medic Mobile, and where you see the future of mHealth in the region. Would you have time for a coffee or a call next week?

Note that in the opening sentence I showed that I spoke with someone they knew, who recommended we talk. This introduces a shared connection, validates my inquiry, and creates a social obligation to meet – she wouldn’t want to disappoint Tim. Then I gave my bona fides, and shared why I am looking to her for advice. I finish with a request for a quick meeting.

No where do I ask about roles with her company, even if it is my dream employer. My goal is to learn from her and to introduce her to my dreams, so that one day, when she’s in a meeting and her colleagues announce they need a mHealth manager in Vietnam, she remembers me and recommends that they interview me.

Why Informational Interviews Matter

Informational interviews are an invaluable tool in the international development sector. These informal meetings are arguably the most critical step in the job search process. Here are 10 reasons they can significantly influence your career trajectory.

1. Understanding the Industry Landscape

Informational interviews offer a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities. This insight is crucial for aligning your skills and experiences with the needs of the sector.

2. Networking and Building Relationships

Building connections with individuals who are already established in the field can open doors to new opportunities. These connections can provide referrals, recommend you for open positions, or even offer mentorship.

3. Gaining Insider Information

Informational interviews allow you to gather insider information about specific roles and organizations. You can learn about the company culture, management style, team dynamics, and decide if the role aligns with your career goals and values.

4. Accessing the Hidden Job Market

Many job opportunities are not advertised publicly and are filled through internal referrals or networking. Informational interviews can give you access to this hidden job market. When a position becomes available, the professionals you have built relationships with through informational interviews may think of you and recommend you for the role. This insider access can give you a significant advantage over other candidates who are not as well connected.

5. Refining Your Career Path

Informational interviews can help you refine your career path by exposing you to different roles and career trajectories within the field and the various pathways and the skills required for each.

6. Enhancing Your Knowledge and Skills

You can identify gaps in your knowledge and skills, and learn of areas where additional training or experience is needed. This awareness allows you to proactively seek out opportunities for professional development.

7. Demonstrating Proactivity and Enthusiasm

You can demonstrate your commitment to understanding the field and your willingness to take initiative. This proactive approach can set you apart from other candidates who may rely solely on traditional job search methods.

8. Building Confidence and Interview Skills

Informational interviews provide a low-stakes environment to practice your interview skills. You can become more comfortable discussing your background, experiences, and career aspirations. This practice can boost your confidence and help you perform better in formal job interviews.

9. Tailoring Your Application Materials

Understanding the specific needs and preferences of organizations allows you to tailor your resume, cover letter, and other application materials to better align with what employers are looking for.

10. Receiving Honest Feedback

Finally, informational interviews provide an opportunity to receive honest feedback about your career aspirations and suitability for certain roles. Professionals in the field can offer constructive criticism and advice based on their experiences.

international ict4d job

How Do I Get an International Job in Digital Development?

Question: How Do I Get an International Job?

How can I get a job in another country in humanitarian relief? Do international organizations ever hire expats for an international role, or its it always a local hire?

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Different International Jobs

This question has many meanings as the concept of an international job has many meanings as well. Generally, a company wants to hire someone local to that country.

Be it Botswana or Belgium, the person from that local context will know the culture, rules, and expectations of that culture better than someone from somewhere else.

Still, there are cases when the company will hire someone from one country to work in another, and generally these people are called expats if they are from the headquarters country, or Third-Country Nationals if they are from one country in that same region and are now working in another.

Which International Jobs Are For You?

So yes, development organizations do hire people for international jobs. However, it is not common, and of the two types, TCNs are more common than expats.

It’s very rare for an international organization based in a wealthy country to hire from that country for a job in another country, mainly due to the great expense involved. TCNs are usually also paid better than local hires, so they have a greater cost to the organization too, though less than HQ expats.

Either way, good luck if you’re offered a role in a different country. It is an amazing opportunity, when it works out. When it doesn’t work out, it can be a major failure.

How to Get an International Job in ICT4D

Landing an international job in ICT4D involves a strategic approach that encompasses acquiring relevant education and skills, gaining practical experience, networking, and staying updated with industry trends. Here are 10 ways you can navigate this path successfully.

1. Understand the Field of ICT4D

ICT4D is a multidisciplinary field that uses digital technologies to address development challenges in areas such as education, healthcare, agriculture, and governance. To get started, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of the sector’s scope and objectives. Resources like ICTworks can offer valuable insights into current projects, case studies, and emerging trends.

2. Obtain Relevant Skills

A solid educational background in fields such as computer science, information technology, or international development is essential. Many universities offer specialized programs or courses in ICT4D. For instance, the University of Manchester and Royal Holloway offer master’s programs specifically tailored to ICT4D. Additionally, online platforms like Coursera provides courses and specializations that can enhance your knowledge and skills in this domain.

3. Gain Practical Experience

Practical experience is critical in ICT4D. Seek internships, volunteer opportunities, or entry-level positions with organizations engaged in development work. Nonprofits, NGOs, and international organizations like UNDP, and USAID often have programs that allow you to apply your ICT skills in real-world projects.

Websites like ReliefWeb and Devex list numerous opportunities in the development sector, including ICT4D roles. Additionally, you should sign up for the ICT4D Jobs Newsletter (obviously).

4. Develop Key Skills

Employers in ICT4D look for a combination of technical and soft skills. Essential technical skills include proficiency in programming languages (such as Python, Java, or JavaScript), data analysis, project management, and familiarity with digital tools used in development projects (like GIS software or mobile technology platforms). Soft skills are equally important. Communication, cultural sensitivity, problem-solving, and adaptability are crucial when working in diverse and often challenging environments.

5. Network Effectively

Networking is vital in the ICT4D field. Join professional associations and online communities to connect with like-minded professionals. Events like  the ICT4D Conference can provide excellent networking opportunities. LinkedIn is also a powerful tool for networking with professionals and organizations in the ICT4D sector.

6. Stay Informed and Engaged

Staying updated with the latest trends and developments in ICT4D is crucial. Follow reputable publications and blogs, such as ICTworks and participate in webinars, workshops, and conferences to stay informed and continue learning.

7. Tailor Your Applications

When applying for jobs, tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills. Emphasize your understanding of development challenges and how your ICT expertise can contribute to addressing them. Use concrete examples from your education and practical experience to demonstrate your capabilities.

8. Consider Certification

Certifications can bolster your credentials and demonstrate your commitment to the field. Programs like the Project Management Professional or certifications in specific technologies (like GIS or data analysis tools) can make your application stand out.

9. Seek Mentorship

Mentorship can provide valuable guidance and support as you navigate your career in ICT4D. Look for mentors through professional associations, alumni networks, or LinkedIn. A mentor can offer insights into the industry, help you navigate challenges, and provide career advice based on their experiences.

10. Be Persistent and Flexible

Finally, persistence and flexibility are key. The path to an international job in ICT4D may be challenging and competitive, but persistence pays off. Be open to starting with smaller organizations or short-term projects to build your experience. Flexibility in terms of location and roles can also open up more opportunities.

internal ict4d job candidate

Always Be the Internal Digital Development Candidate!

What questions do you have about digital development careers? Get personalized responses with a career coaching session

Q4: What’s the Best Way to Get Hired?

Another ICT4D Jobs subscriber question: I researched many different organizations and I found a humanitarian relief organizations that I really, really want to work for. What is the best way for me to get a job there?

The Internal Candidate Advantage

There are so many ways to get hired that choosing a “best” way is difficult. I’ll interpret this question as how to have the highest probability that you’ll get the full time job you want. In that case, the answer is simple: be the internal candidate.

Hiring staff is the riskiest thing a team can do. So anything you can do to de-risk the formal hiring process will put you on the shortlist to be hired. The three best situations, in descending order, are:

  1. Be personally known to the team as a co-worker
  2. Be known to the team through their trusted peers
  3. Be known in general as an expert on their need.

When you are known to the team as a co-worker, there are no surprises. They know exactly who you are and what you’re capable of. They have little risk in hiring you. Assuming you’re good at the role, it will be yours to lose.

Next, if at least their peers know you and can vouch for you, then you have an advantage over everyone else. Finally, if they don’t know you directly, at least make it easy for them to know of you, or get a good idea of who you are from your online presence.

How to Be the Internal Candidate

Now how to be personally known to the team as a co-worker if you’ve never worked there? Well, one way is to get a adjacent job with a different team, or as an intern with that team. However, if your heart is set on a specific role or you’re too experienced to intern, I’d suggest a volunteer consultancy.

Approach the team with an offer to support them as a consultant, with objectives, timelines, and outcomes – just like you would with any professional engagement. Except don’t ask to be paid in money, but in contacts and exposure. Be clear that you expect to work like any other consultant, just payment will be in access not cash.

This gives a clear signal that you are a skilled professional committed to the mission and organization, and will certainly make a positive impression. Now this should be done before they have a job opening. You are pre-positioning yourself for a role there, not working for free.

During your volunteer consultancy, network like mad and make a good impression by outperforming expectations. That way, when a job opening comes along, you will be the internal candidate. Or if they aren’t hiring, you’ll now have a team of people that can personally vouch for you at a sister organization.

ict4d skills ict support

What Training Do I Need for Digital Development Careers?

Question: What ICT4D training do I need?

I’ve worked in ICT Support for 4 years and I am looking to gain more skills, education and experience. I want to move into ICT4D. What training can I take or what formal education programs can position me for a career in digital development?

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Ask a different question

You may want to start with asking where you want to be in 3-5 years. Once you’ve identified what you want to be doing, where you want to be working, and at what level, you can then start seeking out people who have the job you desire.

Then comes the hard part – asking for informational interviews with them to understand what their day is like, where they see the profession going, and crucially, how they got their position.

In an informational interview, you want to be learning from your interviewee, not selling them on hiring you. You want to learn what they believe are the prerequisites for your dream role.

Once you know prerequisites..

If you ask 20 people and all of them say you need a Masters Degree in artificial intelligence or a doctorate in public health, then you know what your next step is. However, they will most likely say that its a mix of education and experience that is best for promotion – not education or training alone.

Training courses

I am a big fan of TechChange courses for practical, hands-on learning of key concepts for digital development project management. However, if you need hard-core software development skills, you made want to join one of the many software development boot camps. Overall, I would look for well-known organizations that utilize facilitators that you can Google-trace to their classroom and alumni.

Experience

Since you already have a job, you can volunteer for new roles within your organization to get additional experience. Be the person who always says, “yes” to new projects that interest you, and work more and harder to succeed with those projects. This is the easiest way to get more experience.

Another way is to seek out organizations working in your desired areas and find out what their needs are. Then suggest a volunteer consultancy – that is a consulting engagement that is just as rigorous as a paid engagement, but trade exposure and connections for your time, instead of money.

Switching careers is hard

There is no way around the central problem in your question: you wan to switch careers from IT support to ICT4D. It is not impossible, but like any career switch, there will be work and pain involved, and it may take you a year or more to make the transition. However, if you really think it will make you happier with your work life, then its a worthy sacrifice.

It took me two years to make the transition from dotcoms to ICT4D and every minute of the pain (and several rounds of crying over rejections) was worth it for me. I love my work, every minute of it.

software developer age ict4d

Am I Too Old to Start a Digital Development Career?

Question: Am I too old to start a development career?

I have over a decade of experience in software development and data journalism. I am now 37 years old. Am I too old to start a career in international development?

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Development Needs Many Viewpoints

International development is like any industry, it constantly needs new viewpoints to see and develop innovation and move the industry forward. These viewpoints come at different stages – be they views from early career, mid-career, senior career, or even retired professionals.

At 37 years old with over a decade of software development and data journalism experience, you would have very relevant skills and abilities that many international development employers would highly value.

you are not too old

In fact, you could be at a great age to make the move into development. You probably have the enthusiasm to develop new ideas and the maturity to mold them into practical solutions. Check out our jobs newsletter – one could be just for you.

In the mean time, here are three ways to be relevant to digital development employers:

1. Build Strong Relationships

Networking within humanitarian relief organization. Establish good relationships with potential colleagues, managers, and key decision-makers. Participate in relevant conferences, events, and projects to increase your visibility and demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively. Having a broad network can lead to recommendations and support when internal positions arise.

2. Communicate Your Career Goals

Make your career aspirations known to people in the digital development field. Express your interest in informational interviews and seek advice on how to prepare for future opportunities. Regularly discuss your career development during conferences and events and seek feedback to improve your readiness for new roles.

3. Develop Relevant Skills

Identify the skills and qualifications needed for the digital development roles you are interested in and actively work on acquiring them. This can involve taking on specific projects, attending training sessions, or pursuing certifications. Demonstrating that you have the necessary skills will make you a more attractive candidate.