Why professionalism matters when applying to the Peace Corps

The Peace Corps application process is a competitive one. It's worth your while to bring your A game to it. This means being professional and doing your homework, as you would with any job application.

Are you going to be the candidate who wears a t-shirt for the interview or the one who dresses professionally? Are you going to be the candidate who has done your research, attended an information session, and spoken with a recruiter, or the one who has only read a couple of blogs and briefly visited the website? Which type of candidate do you want to be?

Professionalism is not the only trait taken into account in the application process, but it is one of a number of assessment factors—part of the whole picture of you that can help you go from ordinary to stellar.

You will want to submit a well-written essay; understand the agency, what service is like, and how your skills align with the specific opportunity you're applying for (or how you can gain those skills if needed); know why you want to serve and be able to articulate your motivation; and demonstrate your commitment to service and volunteerism.

Now is the time to put your best foot forward. Let this be an invitation to step up your game and present the best possible version of yourself. The great news is that the time it takes to complete the application is now shorter than ever, giving you the opportunity to put extra effort into tweaking your resume, practicing your interviewing skills (have you ever tried a mock interview?), proofreading, and—once you're a candidate—prioritizing polished correspondence with your placement officer and adhering to stated timelines. These simple things will help your application stand out.

Think of it this way: You’re applying to be a teacher, a small business consultant, a public health worker, or an environmental/agricultural educator. You’re applying to represent the Peace Corps and the United States, and the job comes with an awesome "benefits package." How would you treat the application process for any of those same positions here in the U.S.?

Need some pointers or a pep talk? Take advantage of the career center on your campus or your alma mater. Connect with a Peace Corps recruiter and ask them to review your resume. While you’re at it, see if they have a few minutes to answer questions about their service and find out when the next information session is in your area. We look forward to seeing your polished, professional application and your A game. And don’t forget to enjoy the process—we're excited to see your personality, too!

Ready to start your Peace Corps journey? Connect with a recruiter today.

This blog was updated from its original version by Eric Trefney (Senegal, 2015 - 2017).