Employers Value These 5 Skills Peace Corps Volunteers Have
As your close of service (COS), you're either writing graduate school applications or polishing off your resume. Your Peace Corps experience has helped you gain very marketable skills that employers value. Here are five key productivity skills you now have and how to emphasize them in your next job search.
1. Delegation
Successful PCV projects require community buy-in. As a PCV, you were required to take on more of a facilitator role in your community, often with limited resources. Whether it was organizing a health outreach program or managing a classroom, you’ve learned to delegate tasks to community members, counterparts, or youth groups.
How to highlight it:
- Share an example of a project where you assigned responsibilities effectively to meet a goal. For instance, “I delegated specific roles to community health workers during a malaria prevention campaign, ensuring we reached 1,000 households in one month.”
2. Prioritization
In the Peace Corps, your workload often demands prioritization—deciding which activities align most with your community’s needs. You’ve had to balance primary work, secondary projects, and VRG reporting deadlines.
How to highlight it:
- Talk about how you identified priorities. For example, “I prioritized setting up a clean water initiative before launching smaller projects, ensuring the community’s immediate health needs were addressed.”
3. Communication
Effective communication is critical to Peace Corps success. From navigating language barriers to presenting ideas clearly in cross-cultural settings, you’ve developed this skill through trial and error.
How to highlight it:
- Showcase examples where your communication skills led to a positive outcome. For instance, “I conducted regular community meetings in the local language to explain project goals, gather feedback, and build trust.”
4. Critical Thinking
Problem-solving is a daily part of life as a PCV. When resources are scarce, or plans fall through, you’ve had to think critically to find solutions—often on the spot.
How to highlight it:
- Use an example of overcoming a challenge. For instance, “When supplies for a school renovation were delayed, I worked with local leaders to source alternative materials and adjusted our timeline to keep the project on track.”
5. Time Management
Managing time is essential, especially when juggling projects, community expectations, and personal health. You’ve likely planned long-term projects while addressing immediate needs, all within the structure of a two-year timeline.
How to highlight it:
- Describe how you balanced multiple responsibilities. For example, “I successfully managed my time by creating detailed schedules for a youth mentorship program while simultaneously preparing grant reports.”
Bringing It All Together
As you start writing your resume or preparing for interviews, think about these skills as assets. Tailor your examples to the roles you’re applying for. Your Peace Corps service has given you more than just incredible experiences—it’s built a foundation of professional skills that employers need. Share them with confidence.
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Reference: 5 Productivity Skills You Need to Learn in 2025