After spending over five years in the development sector, I’ve been thinking about the obstacles that often come our way. One big issue is the money – NGOs and nonprofits in India struggle to pay as much as private companies. We often hear, “You’re working for the cause, not for the money,” which is great, but it sometimes makes young professionals in the development sector feel bad about asking for a fair salary.
Today, I want to discuss another challenge: how social sector organizations hire people. It’s like a complicated puzzle that can be hard for both experienced professionals and new graduates to figure out.
Firstly, there’s the assessment stage, which I think is a bit like doing a master’s assignment. You get asked 6 to 7 questions and have to answer each in about 200 to 300 words. This isn’t just for high-level jobs – even entry-level positions go through this. While assessments are critical, organizations need to understand that if they want honest answers from the candidates, these can be pretty tough at times.
Then comes the interviews. No matter the job level, you might have to go through three to four rounds of interviews. This can take a lot of time and energy.
These hiring challenges make me wonder if we’re unintentionally scaring away good people who want to make a difference. So, I believe we must talk openly about making our hiring process fairer and more accessible. We need a system that appreciates the passion and hard work people bring to the development sector and ensures a proper evaluation.
In wrapping up, I’m eager to hear your thoughts on the challenges I’ve discussed in the development sector job hunt. Do you have similar experiences or different perspectives? Feel free to share your opinions and comments – I believe an open dialogue can lead to valuable insights and potential solutions. I am looking forward to hearing from you!