All the best advice we could find on how to get a job

The 80,000 Hours guide on how to get a job is designed to help individuals secure high-impact roles, particularly in social change sectors.

Developed by 80,000 Hours, a non-profit focused on guiding people towards meaningful careers, this guide offers practical advice on the entire job search process, from identifying opportunities to negotiating offers. It’s particularly useful for those looking to transition into careers with a strong focus on making a positive difference, such as evaluation.

Key features

• Step-by-step job search advice: The guide covers all aspects of the job search, including identifying high-impact opportunities, building relevant skills, and networking effectively. It provides a clear structure for organising a job search and suggests strategies for improving your chances of landing impactful roles, including ways of gaining and demonstrating relevant experience.
• Emphasis on networking: The guide highlights the importance of building and leveraging a professional network, which is crucial for entering fields like evaluation. It offers practical tips on how to find mentors, ask for informational interviews, and connect with people in your target sector.
• Tailored application strategies: The resource includes advice on tailoring CVs and cover letters, focusing on aligning your application materials with the needs of the organisations you’re applying to. It also covers preparing for interviews, with specific tips for standing out in sectors focused on social impact.
• Career capital and skill-building: There is a strong focus on the importance of building “career capital”—the skills, experiences, and connections that increase employability over time. For emerging evaluators, this is particularly relevant, as it encourages gaining diverse experiences that can strengthen future job applications.
• Negotiating job offers: The guide provides detailed advice on negotiating job offers, including how to discuss salary, benefits, and work conditions in a way that balances personal needs with organisational expectations.

Why use this resource

For those pursuing a career in evaluation, this guide is invaluable for its focus on networking, skill development, and strategic job search techniques. The emphasis on tailoring applications and building career capital is directly relevant to people new to the evaluation field, who need to demonstrate their transferable skills and experience in a way that resonates with potential employers. The section on informational interviews and networking is particularly helpful, as building connections in evaluation is crucial for gaining insights and opportunities.

Additionally, the guide’s practical advice on negotiating offers can help emerging evaluators ensure that they secure roles that align with their values while providing room for professional growth.

The guide is freely available online and easy to navigate, with clear sections on different stages of the job search process. It is suitable for individuals at various career stages, including those transitioning into evaluation or seeking roles with a focus on social impact.