Fulltime Timeline

Intergovernmental Organizations (IO’s) do not typically recruit except by way of their highly competitive marquee future leader programs such as the World Bank’s Junior and Young Professional Programs, the International Finance Corporation’s Global Transaction Team Program and the United Nations’ LEAD Program. In fact, approximately 40% of the fulltime staff at those institutions successfully gain entry by proactively networking with institution experts they feel qualified to do research for. Those experts hire on an as-needed basis as grant funding for research projects becomes available. For that reason, the best job search strategy is to build your network so that when a position becomes available, you have already conducted an informational interview with the expert, signaled your interest in working on a project, and your resume is already in the hands of the hiring manager.

International NGO (INGO) hiring, on the other hand, is closely related to domestic nonprofit hiring practices. One difference, however, is that the typical INGO is a globally recognized brand (Greenpeace, CARE, Nature Conservancy) and receives thousands of applications as often as monthly. As a consequence you must truly be strategic in getting the right eyes to fall on your application. Research far in advance, try to network your way to additional information and access ahead of the application process, and apply as early as possible – don’t worry, your application will not be the first!

Keep in mind that the fiscal year for most NGO’s runs July 1-June 30, so March and April is usually when budgets for the upcoming fiscal year are being developed and finalized. Employment opportunities tend to increase with the start of a new fiscal year, i.e. well after your graduation date. Do not panic if you do not have a job on graduation day! If your dream is to go straight from Heinz to an NGO, start early on your search, but have a backup plan if you are still waiting by the phone throughout June and July.

Most students do not get nonprofit jobs through on-campus recruiting, so your interviews are generally off-campus. The Job Search Assistance Fund is available to help cover costs associated with interviewing in the nonprofit or public sectors.

Career Services will assist you with your job search, but please remember, we do not match students with employers; obtaining employment is your responsibility. We encourage you to take the following steps to ensure a successful job search outcome:

September/October

Attend the Public Service Fair to learn about local organizations and to secure a spring and/or fall part-time internship. Part-time internships will help build your resume and your network.
Gain access to TartanTRAK to upload your resume.
Get involved with the International Development Group (IDG).
Decide what type of organization you are seeking (e.g. large or small), what city you would like to live in, what issue you would like to work on, etc. Make sure your resume pitches to your substantive interest
Research fellowship opportunities. Some have very early fall deadlines, others have deadlines during the summer.
Meet with your career advisor to discuss your interests and to organize your job search.
Attend networking events and the associated colloquium series held in your cities of interest.

November/December

Attend the workshops to perfect your resume, hone your interviewing skills, and gain knowledge about the job search process.
Attend relevant information sessions.
Participate in mock interviews.
Get your resume cleaned up and reviewed by your career advisor.

January/February

Attend relevant Network Nights.
Talk to alumni about opportunities in their organization. They're an excellent resource for learning more about a particular organization, career field or employment opportunity. You can find alumni in the Alumni Directory, Alumni Career Advisor Network, and Carnegie Mellon Alumni LinkedIn Network.
Join professional organizations, attend conferences, conduct informational interviews to help foster relationships in the field.

March/April

Update your resume with relevant academic projects, coursework, etc.
Look at organizations’ websites for job postings and also use the online resources.
Attend relevant Network Nights, Career Fairs and conferences (i.e. The International Development Conference hosted by the Kennedy School in Boston, the Pittsburgh Nonprofit Job and Internship Fair, and Network Washington, DC ).
Make contact with employers, send resumes and applications, and begin the interviewing process.

May/June