Insider Tips: A Job Hunt Guide For Peace Corps Volunteers
Here are few strategies to help simplify the job search process.
For many volunteers, service is just the first step in their working life. So, as close-of-service nears, it is important to look at what work they will do for the future. For those who entered PC straight from college, this will be their first real job search. And for others, the job landscape might look a lot different than when they entered service. And to help, here are few strategies to help simplify the job search process.
Utilize Online Resources:
Take advantage of all the resources specifically for Peace Corps volunteers: PeaceCorps.gov and PeaceCorpsConnect.org (National Peace Corps Association website). These resources will help you find openings with both government and the private sector. They will also help you leverage your Peace Corps service experience that will put you far ahead of your peers.
Network Digitally:
These days, many volunteers network all the time during their service with other volunteers, PC staff, counterparts, and community members digitally. And looking for jobs is no different. You can reach out to online communities, like LinkedIn and Reddit, and attend webinars, many hosted by the NPCA. Even check with your university career center as an alumni. Take advantage of the power of the internet to reach far and wide.
Define Your Goals:
It is important to have some idea what you want to do next. For many volunteers, what their future looks like at the end of service is very, very different than what they thought it would be before PC. By using your online resources and digital networking, you can narrow down the ideas of what you might want to do. And it goes without saying, be sure to consider things like company values, work environment, and location instead of just focusing on salary.
As Peace Corps volunteers get ready to finish their service, it's time to think about finding a job for the future. This might be the first job hunt for some who joined straight out of college, while for others, the job scene might have changed since they started. So, as you move from Peace Corps to your next adventure, remember these tips to help you find a job that's right for you. Let's work together to make our futures bright!