Are you going to be the candidate who refers to the agency as “Piece Core,” “Peace Corpse” or “Peace Corps?” 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 their research, spoken with returned Peace Corps Volunteers and attended an information session, or the one who has read a few blogs and visited the website? Which type of candidate do you want to be?

Professionalism is certainly not the only characteristic 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 same-old, same-old to stellar. What can you do to bring your A game?

You will, of course, want to submit a well-written essay; understand the agency, exactly what you might be doing and how your skills fit into that (or how you can gain those skills if needed!); know why you want to do this and be able to articulate your motivation; and be able to 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 proofreading, tweaking your resume, practicing your interviewing skills (have you ever tried a mock interview?) and–once you're a candidate–prioritizing polished correspondence with your placement officer and adhering to requested timelines. These simple things will help your application stand out.

Think of it this way: You’re not just applying to the Peace Corps, which may conjure up images of dusty clothes and well-worn backpacks. You’re applying to be a teacher, a small business consultant, a public health worker, an environmental or agricultural educator. You’re applying to be selected not only as a representative of the Peace Corps but also of the United States, and the job comes with an awesome "benefits package." How would you treat the application process for any of those 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 recruiter and request they review your resume. While you’re at it, see if they have a few minutes to answer questions about their experience 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. Eric is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer who served in Senegal from 2015 to 2017. He is an avid photographer who enjoys surfing and playing hockey. Eric is originally from Detroit but now calls Washington D.C. his home.