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Hints and Tips for Applicants

Firstly, take the plunge and apply. Many successful applicants and returned volunteers state that the best advice
they can give is to simply apply and see where it takes you. We've put together these hints and tips to assist you in
compiling your volunteer application.

Do your research
Successful applicants are well suited for the position they're applying for. They have carefully considered and
researched the assignment, the Host Organisation, the location and country of the assignment. Successful
applicants are able to clearly identify the skills, experiences and personal qualities they have developed that are
relevant to the role, and to explain how this will enable them to achieve the assignment outcomes. They are able to
give specific and relevant examples. They are able to self reflect and identify their own areas for improvement, and
have developed strategies to address their own challenges or developmental areas.

Candidates are not expected to have previous overseas experience. Successful applicants are however able to refer
to a wide variety of life experiences; for example previous volunteer work, coaching a sporting team, mentoring in
the workplace, assisting in or conducting training and travel. Where relevant, experiences like these can be used to
demonstrate the ability to be a good volunteer.

Be aware
Successful applicants are able to demonstrate awareness of the personal qualities they require to be a volunteer in
a developing country. They are prepared to face the challenges of working in a developing country and foreign
culture with an open mind. They are committed to the goals of the program and are motivated to work with their
Host Organisation to achieve positive results.

Referees are key

Strong applicants pick professional, relevant referees who can provide evidence that the applicant has the skills,
experiences and qualities necessary to undertake the assignment. At least one of these referees should be the most
recent supervisor/line manager. Good referees have been briefed on the assignment(s) the applicant is applying
for, and are able to make meaningful links between the work they have seen the applicant perform and the
requirements of the assignment.
A good application takes time be prepared to spend up to 20 hours to produce a quality application. Attention to
detail is important proofread your application carefully. Ensure you follow the instructions on the application
form. The program does not grant extensions in fairness to other applicants.

Hints and Tips for your Application

Before you submit your application research the Host Organisation, the country you are applying to and the
expectations and goals of the AVID program.
Ensure your CV accurately reflects your work and volunteer history and provide as much information as
possible on relevant past roles and ensure that dates of employment are specific and accurate.
Use the word limit as a guide to the amount of information/ reflection the selection panel is expecting. For
example, if Question 1 is asking for up to 800 words, providing a 200 word response will not provide adequate
information or detail.
Proofread your application before you submit it.
The application that you submit is the application that the Host Organisation receives in order to assist them
with making a decision as to whether to accept you as their volunteer once you have been recommended by
the program. Therefore it is very important to produce a clearly written, concise, and well thought out
application that will convince the Host Organisation that you are the right candidate for them.

How to address the selection criteria

Q1 Addressing the assignment outcomes

(800 words)
Question 1 is very important in terms of convincing the Selection Panel and the Host Organisation that you have
relevant skills and experience to achieve the outcomes of the assignment. It is important to note that this
information will not be gathered from your CV it must be clearly outlined in Question 1. Your CV will outline your
past professional experience, but in Question 1 you will explain how that experience will relate to this particular role
and outcomes.The Selection Panel will be assessing you on the following:
That you have individually addressed each assignment outcome and provided relevant professional examples
where you have undertaken similar tasks.
That you have made clear links between these professional examples and the current assignment.

That you have made clear links between these professional examples and the current assignment.
Provided evidence that you have researched the Host Organisation and discussed the skills and experience you will
bring not only to the role but also the Host Organisation
Tip: Make it clear to the Selection Panel that you are addressing each assignment outcome by using these as
headings and providing your relevant information under each outcome.You may wish to use the STAR approach
when detailing examples of your experience (see below in Question 2).

+ Q2 Provide an example
+ Q3 Motivation to live and work in your chosen country

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The Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program is an Australian Government init

This website has been developed by Scope Global, a delivery partner for the AVID program.

Contact Scope Global

Level 1, 41 Dequetteville Terrace
Kent Town, Adelaide SA 5067

Freecall: 1800 995 536 (in Australia)

Australia Tel: +61 (0) 8 8364 8500
Fax: +61 8 8331 8944

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