Applying to Wild Animal Initiative
Find out what we're looking for, and what to expect during your application process.
We want everyone to have a great experience applying to work with us, so we offer transparency about our core qualifications and our hiring process.
Sample hiring process
Our hiring process is designed to be transparent, skills-based, respectful, and rigorous. We use a structured assessment that lets you demonstrate what you can actually do in the role, rather than relying solely on a resume review. This approach gives us a clearer picture of your abilities, and gives you a real sense of whether the work is a good fit.
Stage 1: Application
Our applications feature a series of questions related to your qualifications for the role in multiple choice and written response form. We sometimes also require a resume or other materials. There might be a phone screening after we receive your application, during which you’ll have a chance to ask us questions about the organization and role.
Stage 2: Skills assessment
In this stage, we ask you to complete a compensated skills assessment that includes job-related tasks and questions designed to mimic tasks you would perform in the role. A skills assessment can take one to four hours, depending on the role.
Stage 3: Video interviews
The final round includes a video interview with the department manager and one to two other staff. These are scheduled for up to 90 minutes each and conducted via Zoom.
Tips for strengthening your application
We offer all prospective applicants the below guidance on how to cultivate skills and attributes that align with our values and expectations.
In all stages of the recruitment process, it is a good idea to highlight specific achievements and accomplishments, backing up your answers with specific examples wherever you can. This can mean:
Being careful to distinguish between describing job duties and major accomplishments, focusing on the latter.
Highlighting the actions you took, the skills you used, and the results you achieved in a particular role.
Using action verbs, incorporating quantitative measurements when possible, and emphasizing experiences that directly show you have the job requirements highlighted in the job description.
For instance, instead of saying you “Hosted networking events,” you could say you “Hosted 15 networking events, drawing an attendance of over 2,000 researchers, resulting in a 30% community membership increase.’”
We use a job analysis process to help us critically evaluate what qualifications are essential to carry out a role’s responsibilities. We value diverse experiences and perspectives, and believe that candidates with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds can be successful with the right combination of skills, transferable experience, and potential, depending on the role. For this reason, we list only the qualifications that are critically needed. It’s therefore important to show us how your experiences have equipped you with the qualifications needed for the position. One way to prepare for this is to write each qualification down in a list or table and, next to it, write down each job or experience that built that particular skill. Even if you think you don't meet every qualification listed, this exercise can help you describe those you do have more effectively when it comes time to write your application or answer interview questions.
Our hiring decisions are based on multiple factors that might not be universal across different organizations. Each organization has a unique set of values, needs, and dynamics, which might influence their hiring choices. The more you can learn about these factors, the better you will be prepared to succeed in the hiring process. Below, we outline our core qualifications and offer advice on how to develop these skills to enhance your suitability for a role at WAI.
-
Noticeably curious about others’ ideas and considerate of others’ feelings.
Interpersonal awareness is pivotal in our collaborative environment. Cultivate an open-minded approach by actively seeking diverse perspectives and remaining flexible in embracing new concepts and viewpoints. Strive to understand others' ideas and feelings and challenge assumptions, promoting inclusivity and collaboration in your professional interactions.
-
Able to clearly express oneself, both when writing and when speaking. Able to accurately and charitably interpret others' delivery of both written and spoken information.
Effective communication is the cornerstone of our remote operations. Hone your ability to express thoughts clearly, both verbally and in writing. Practice active listening and adapt your communication style to resonate with different audiences. Enhance your written expression and comprehension skills to ensure effective communication.
-
Motivated to understand and counteract the ways that personal biases, cultural differences, and systemic inequities can hinder our decision making, work culture, and programmatic effectiveness. A basic understanding of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion concepts (such as anti-racism, systematic racism, ableism/accessibility, and gender discrimination), including their relevance to the workplace.
Our commitment to JEDI values is integral to our organizational ethos. Engage in continuous learning to deepen your understanding of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion concepts. Actively challenge biases in yourself and others by developing self awareness and learning about the ways bias can present itself. Strive to better understand the challenges faced by marginalized voices and contribute to creating an equitable and inclusive workplace environment. Avoid language or actions that perpetuate prejudice or discrimination. Demonstrate genuine interest and engagement in JEDI principles and be mindful of unintentionally harmful perspectives.
-
Able to thrive in a remote work environment. Comfortable working independently, reliable at honoring commitments, and motivated to take initiative in the absence of an explicit directive.
In a remote setting, self reliance is key. You should be proactive in addressing challenges as they arise, displaying initiative and adaptability in your approach to tasks and projects. While you will receive guidance and support from your manager during one-on-one meetings, it's essential to be able to navigate through the week autonomously, resolving issues and making progress independently between meetings.
While we may not be able to provide individual feedback to all applicants, we hope this context will help you prepare your application and skills for a role with us.