No matter what kind of NGO you want to work for, your CV and cover letter will need to show the same things. They will want to know that you care about their cause and that you have the skills and experience that make you the best person for the job.
1. Start with a strong opening.
Your CV and cover letter need a strong beginning, just like any good story. Make sure that the first line grabs the reader’s attention. This could be a summary of your work history and skills that you could put on your CV. You could quickly say in your cover letter why you’re the best person for the job.
2. Keep it relevant.
Make sure that when you customize your CV and cover letter for an NGO job, you only include information that is important to the role. You don’t have to list every job you’ve ever had. Just focus on the parts that are most important to the NGO you’re going to.
3. Highlight your passion for the cause.
NGOs want to hire people who care deeply about their cause. So, be sure to talk about any time you’ve worked with a similar group or cause in the past. Even if you don’t have any direct experience, you can still show how passionate you are by writing about why you want to work for the NGO and what you hope to achieve.
4. Focus on your skills and experience.
Even though it’s important to show that you care about the NGO’s cause, they’ll also look at your skills and experience to see if you’re a good fit for the job. Make sure that your CV and cover letter show off any skills and experience that are important. For example, if you’re looking for a job in fundraising, make sure to talk about any sales or fundraiser experience you have.
5. Use strong language.
Use strong, convincing wording when writing your CV and cover letter. This is your chance to really sell yourself and your skills, so don’t be afraid to brag a little bit. But don’t go overboard, because you still want to seem humble and likeable.
6. Be concise.
Remember that your CV and cover letter are only an opening to who you are and what you can do. They’re not supposed to be your whole life story, so try to be as brief as you can. Keep to the most important information and leave out anything that isn’t directly related to the job.
7. Proofread.
Make sure to check your CV and cover letter for writing and grammar mistakes before you send your application. Small mistakes like these can make your application look bad, so you should take the time to fix them.
8. Follow the instructions.
Make sure to carefully read the job post and follow any specific directions about how to send in your application. For example, some NGOs may want you to send your cover letter and CV as one document, while others may want them sent separately. Make sure you follow these rules so that your application doesn’t get turned down.
9. Include additional materials.
If the NGO you’re going to wants more information, make sure to send it along with your application. These might be things like samples of your work or letters of reference. Putting these things in your application shows that you are willing to do more to get the job.
10. Send a thank-you email.
Send a thank-you email to the person who accepted your application after you’ve sent it in. This is another chance to show how interested you are in the job and the NGO. In your email, be sure to say again how much you want the job and tell them anything else you think they should know. If you use these tips to make your CV and cover letter, you’ll have a better chance of getting the NGO job of your dreams.