Week 6 - Impactpool 10-Week Job Strategy Challenge - How to Address Gaps & Career Transitions

Over the past five weeks, you’ve built a strong foundation for your international development career — from identifying your top three target organizations to mastering job descriptions, understanding contract types and aligning your experience with the UN Competency Framework.

This week, we shift focus to something many professionals face — how to confidently address employment gaps and career transitions when applying for roles with the UN or INGOs.

Why This Matters

In a competitive global talent pool, recruiters don’t expect linear careers especially given the current global climate - they expect honest, well-framed stories. Many professionals move between sectors, pause for study, caregiving, relocation or reflection. What matters most is how you frame those transitions as part of a coherent, values-driven journey.

Recruiters and hiring managers want to understand:

• What motivated your shift or pause?

• What did you learn or gain during that period?

• How does that experience strengthen your readiness for this role?

Handled well, a gap or transition can actually enhance your application by demonstrating adaptability, learning agility and purpose-driven growth — all qualities the UN and INGOs deeply value.