Message from Dr. Shinsaku NOMURA
It is my pleasure to post a message as an Ogawa-Zemi alumnus to future students. I am currently working as an Education Economist at the Education Global Practices, World Bank....
On 22 September 2025, an international career development seminar titled “Career Opportunities at Multilateral Development Banks (WBG, ADB, AfDB, IDB, and EBRD)” was delivered by Mr. Yasuo Izumi, a former World Bank Sector Manager. It offered participants from Ogawa-zemi a rare opportunity to learn directly from decades of international development and management experience. The seminar focused on how professionals and students can effectively present themselves in highly competitive global environments. Drawing on his background at the World Bank and extensive field experience, Mr. Izumi emphasized that self-PR documents are not simple records of activities, but strategic marketing tools that communicate value, competence, and results. This open seminar highlighted practical strategies for accessing career opportunities at Multilateral Development Banks beyond relying solely on traditional vacancy announcements.
Mr. Izumi began by explaining the role of self-PR documents, including CVs, professional bios, presentation slides, and marketing letters. He stressed that these documents must be concise, outcome oriented, and selective. According to Mr. Izumi, readers are never obliged to read lengthy documents, so clarity and strong selling points must appear first. A major part of the session was dedicated to professional CV writing. Participants from Ogawa-zemi learned how to clearly describe where they worked, in what role, and most importantly, what they achieved. Mr. Izumi highlighted that achievements, rather than job titles or routine tasks, are the most critical elements of a strong CV. He also advised professionals to limit CV length to one or two pages to maintain readability and impact. The seminar then moved on to drafting self-PR bios. Unlike CVs, bios should tell a convincing professional story and showcase thematic depth, managerial capability, and institutional understanding. Mr. Izumi explained that a well written bio is often the strongest self-marketing document and is widely used for presentations and professional outreach.
Another key segment addressed the preparation of self-PR presentations. Mr. Izumi shared practical guidance on slide design, the use of visuals, font sizes, and logical structure. He advised participants to avoid overcrowded slides and excessive animations, and instead focus on clear messages supported by data, photos, and concise expressions. In the final part of the seminar, attention was given to presentation delivery and interviews. Participants were encouraged to prepare logical storylines rather than memorized scripts, maintain eye contact with the audience, and manage time carefully. Confidence, clarity, and maturity in communication were highlighted as essential professional traits.
The seminar provided actionable guidance for students, early career professionals, and experienced practitioners alike. By combining practical examples with insights from international development practice, Mr. Izumi offered participants a clear framework for presenting their skills and experiences with confidence and professionalism. Overall, the session reinforced the idea that effective self-presentation is a critical career skill, especially in global and competitive fields, and that thoughtful preparation can significantly enhance professional opportunities.
We extend our deepest appreciation to Mr. Izumi for generously sharing his professional insights and experiences, which provided invaluable guidance and significantly enriched our understanding of international career development.
Authored by Md Efrat Jahan Bhuiyan Shafin (Master’s Student)
