Here's how you can stand out as a candidate for social impact positions.

✌️Thriving in social impact roles demands not only a foundational skill set but also a dynamic approach to professional growth. Mastery in areas like project management, fundraising, and policy analysis is just the starting point. What truly distinguishes a standout candidate is their dedication to continuous learning and their ability to adapt their expertise to the evolving needs of their organization. It's this blend of technical proficiency and flexible skill application that can elevate your career and drive meaningful change.

Before I got into my career in social impact, I asked myself this question ‘what TYPE of impact do I want to make.’ Understanding that I can always use any passion, talent and skill to drive impact. This question geared my thinking into what skill I would like to master. A skill that would allow me to impact industries the best way I know how. 1. Know what type of work energizes you. 2. Pick a transferable skill. 3. Practice and develop that skill. 4. Start contributing to purposeful solutions.

Para fazer um bom trabalho no campo do impacto social, algumas habilidades são muito importantes, mas talvez gostar de pessoas seja a mais central de todas. Isso faz com que a gente trabalhe com empatia, possa inovar considerando múltiplas perspectivas e esteja focado em gerar impacto de verdade (porque o risco muitas vezes é ser ótimo e adorar cuidar de processos, mas sem que eles estejam conectados com o resultado para o desenvolvimento social equilibrado). Também é importante conhecer e saber entender políticas públicas, ter capacidade de articulação e cuidar da sua rede de contatos.

I will add that joining advocacy campaigns is a great way to understand citizen-led demands on pressing matters and it could make the candidate stand out. Also knowing and having experience in participatory methods since is a crucial skill to design more impactful social projects.

Social impact should start with investing time into learning specifically the value of your impact on the people or communities that you want to connect with. Talk with the very people you intend to impact and learn how best to be involved - it can often be different from what you might think is right for them. In my last company we worked with weavers in Bolgatanga to make recycled sunglasses cases and in visiting them I learnt so much more around the wider issues that affected their communities and the innovation and solutions that were needed to transform them to a better place.

People. Profit. Planet. Understanding the importance of those three functions, is the understanding that caring for and being involved in impactful efforts leads to larger change. I motivate myself in thinking about circumstances I have been in and witnessed that I would love to change for those after me. When you have a deeper motivation, it shows through your authentic passion for what you are working towards.

As founder of The Cookie Project, I've learned the importance of showcasing tangible results. Not just to the stakeholders but it's something we look for when hiring. Pro Tips: - Be Specific: Detail the outcomes of your initiatives. - Use Metrics: Provide data to back up your achievements. - Tell Stories: Share personal anecdotes that illustrate your impact. - Show Growth: Highlight how your efforts led to progress over time. - Reflect on Feedback: Use positive feedback and testimonials to validate your contributions. - Alignment: Use SDG targets as reference point.

All that you need to start in the social impact sector in terms of greater networking boost is to engage in comments with meaningful and useful feedback or points that add value to the discussion. Moreover, it all starts with the posting of content and engaging with people on multiple forums in the field and get them recommended and ask for their recommendations especially of the influential ones as it is what will highly benefit.

One note of caution here — make sure there's a great MUTUAL cultural fit. Remember you're interviewing prospective organization's to make sure they're a solid long-term fit for you as well. Don't be afraid to ask questions to help ensure an organization's cultural beliefs align well with your own. If done thoughtfully, these can be some of the most illuminating (and unique) parts of an interview. And if that doesn't sit well with a potential employer, they probably weren't the right fit to begin with. This not only can help you stand out as a candidate. But it also helps to ensure there's a good fit for the long haul.

In my experience with The Cookie Project, having a strategic vision was crucial. We didn't just focus on immediate goals but also planned for sustainable growth and long-term impact. This vision helped us navigate challenges and stay aligned with our mission. Pro Tips: - Understand the Organisation: Research the organisation’s mission, values, and long-term goals. - Discuss Role Evolution: Explain how you see your role growing within the organisation. - Anticipate Challenges: Identify potential obstacles and propose strategies to overcome them. - Show Commitment: Emphasise your dedication to the organisation’s long-term success. - Provide Examples: Share past experiences where your strategic vision led to successful outcomes.