Tag: Career Advice

chatgpt cover letter cv resume writing

How to Use ChatGPT to Improve Your Cover Letter and Resume

There are so many interesting jobs to apply for in digital development that you can feel overwhelmed. You ask yourself this key question every time:

“How can I use ChatGPT to customize my cover letter and resume to this ICT4D job?”

Here is how you can use Generative AI to improve your Cover Letter and CV when job searching for ICT4D roles in three easy steps.

1. Use ChatGPT to improve your CV

You can use this ChatGPT prompt to have the GenAI LLM improve and customize your CV for the specific digital development job opportunity.

“Review this [Job Description link] with [Organization link]. Compare the [Job Title] to my attached CV [Upload Resume]. Adapt my CV to emphasize the skills and experiences that align with the [Job Title].

ChatGPT will then create a CV that highlights how your experience fits with each of the job requirements and expected employer needs listed in the job description.

2.Use ChatGPT to Improve Your Cover Letter

You can use this prompt to have ChatGPT to make the GenAI LLM write you a cover letter that shows your excitement for that humanitarian relief or international development organization.

“Create a 750 word cover letter that highlights my relevant skills for this role and shows my enthusiasm for the [Org]’s mission, based on my previous experiences listed in my CV.”

ChatGPT will then develop a cover letter for you that showcases how you believe in the organization’s mission and which past experiences prove that you worked on these ideas previously.

3. Review ChatGPT Output for Accuracy

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT have the horrible habit of interjecting “hallucinations” – outright lies – into their responses. You cannot submit a cover letter and CV that contain fabrications. This practice can get you fired.

Hence you need to review every line of the ChatGPT-authored  cover letter and CV and double-check every fact to make sure the LLM didn’t make anything up. After all, ChatGPT is only an overeager graduate assistant too happy to please you.

chatgpt interview practice

How to Use ChatGPT to Prepare for Tech4Good Job Interviews

ChatGPT can be an amazing tool to use in the job search quest – with limitations. Though its best if you know someone at that firm to help you get an interview.

What to do when you have an interview? Practice!

Job Search Assistant – a custom GPT that is optimized for the job search  – is an excellent tool to help you prepare for interviews. Here is how I use it every time I am going to interview for a new job:

1. Ask it to help you prepare for the role.

Once you go to the Job Search Assistant, you can ask it a simple question: Can you help me prepare for a job interview for this role [insert link to job opportunity]?

The GPT will respond with a summary of the key activities the employer expects from the applicant, and probably give you mock interview questions. If it doesn’t respond with interview questions, you can ask it to give you mock interview questions.

As you respond to the questions, it will grade your responses and offer helpful tips on what to say or not, based on the job ad.

2. Ask it how to answer based on your CV

Here is the really cool practice tool. Ask it to produce mock interview questions and answers based on your CV. You can upload your CV in PDF format, and the GPT will review it and respond using your CV as guidance.

Now its time for you to real and remember each question and it’s possible answer. You shouldn’t expect to get these questions in the interview, but by practicing these questions and answers, you can be prepared for the questions they do ask.

How do you use ChatGPT in the job search?

I’m not paid to say this about Job Search Assistant. I just find it a really good way to prepare for interviews. There are other interview GPTs you can practice with too.

Please share your tips and tricks with me via email. I too am looking for a new job and I’d love to know how Generative AI can help us all get to an employment we love.

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?

If you want personalized responses to your questions, grab a career coaching session.

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.

ict4d job interview questions

Please Ask Interview Questions for Digital Development Jobs

I noticed a strange trend recently: interviewees not asking any questions of the interviewers and their company.

Always Ask Questions

I don’t know why someone would not ask questions in an interview. The whole point of an interview is for us to get to know each other. To find out if we will be a good fit for each other. If this will be a good working relationship – the goal of every hiring manager and you.

Yet, I am often surprised by how many people don’t have questions or are reluctant to ask questions in an interview.

Questions Show Interest

When you ask a question about the role, the team, and the company, you show that you are interested in the position, and you want it to be a good fit, vs. just a job. You should be asking a list of questions about how this role fits into your career goals, and just your day-to-day work wants. Every question is a good one, and helps you and the hiring manager learn about each other.

Questions Show Preparation

When you ask questions, you show the hiring manager that you’ve given thought to this role, this team, and this organization. It shows that you care about this job – not just any job.

When you ask detailed questions, that’s when the hiring manager knows you’ve done your homework, that you are a detailed person who cares about your work and will be prepared on a daily basis.

Questions Show You Care

Above all, questions show that you care about the time your spending thinking about this job and the time the hiring manager is spending on you. So your questions are not a waste of time. In fact, they are just the opposite – they are the key to winning your new job.

So do yourself, and your potential employer a favor – ask questions at your interviews, like these:

  • What’s the company culture like?  To ensure the work environment aligns with your values and work style.
  • What are the biggest challenges the team is facing?  To understand the current obstacles and how you can help overcome them.
  • Can you tell me about growth opportunities within the company? To gauge your potential for career advancement and long-term fit.
  • What does a typical day look like for this role? To get a realistic view of daily tasks and responsibilities.
  • How do you measure success in this position? To learn the key performance indicators and expectations for the role.
start ict4d career

How To Get Started in ICT4D as a Recent College Graduate?

I love subscriber questions – please ask me yours! I answer each question to help you, and then anonymize them here to help us all improve our chances for a dream digital development job.

For example, here is a recent subscriber question:

Where are the entry-level ICT4D positions?

I am currently pursuing a Masters degree in Computer Science and will graduate in 2018, but I am worried. I am interested in pursuing a career in ICT4D, yet all opportunities I find require heaps of work experience. How do I get a start in ICT4D?

My usual response to this question is two-fold.

  1. Don’t sweat prerequisites. Job descriptions are the ideal candidate, and just like an online dating profile, should be approached with a healthy skepticism. Use the job ads as general guidance on the skills you need.
  2. Network, network, network. The final year of graduate study is when you should be networking, doing internships, and getting exposure to real-world activities and future peers and employers, even if you need to volunteer, so that on graduation day, you have job offers in hand.If you are in the market for superclone Replica Rolex , Super Clone Rolex is the place to go! The largest collection of fake Rolex watches online!

But what about the day after graduation? I asked my colleagues in ICT4D for their views.

What ICT4D Experts Say About Starting in Digital Development

I tossed the subscriber’s question out to my Facebook network, and 34 responses later, here is their generalized response:

Get Industry Experience

They will be a Computer Science graduate, so they should focus on getting a job directly in the tech industry in an area where they will  have transferable skills. This will build your skills and your income faster than if you start in ICT4D.

Keep Involved in International Development

While they are working on this space, keep abreast of development trends, build solutions that address real world problems, and share their results. These basic entrepreneurial efforts that will give them experience, feedback and get them noticed by the sector.

Make the Transition to a Small Tech Firm

When they’re ready, get a job w/a tech-oriented firm liked Dimagi, InSTEDD, etc. as a coder or project manager-type position. With the previous private sector income, they should have financial cushion to go into a lower paying position to pay their “development sector dues”.

See Where Your Career Takes You

A person with a Masters degree in computer science shouldn’t have any problem if they have industry experience. Employers who who run tech companies in international development are looking for tech experience and a willingness to learn.

If they’ve started int he tech space, then moved into international development, they obviously have both and they’ll have a long a rewarding career.

What the Subscriber Said About this Advice

I shared the Facebook post with them in real time, so they could follow along and ask questions if they wanted further clarification. And their response?

Wow! This is amazing.  I have gotten a lot of valuable insight. I will keep following the thread and ask where I can. Thank you very much!!

So what are you waiting for? Ask me your career questions too!

Thanks for reading this far,

Wayan