My Top 8 Tips for UN Job Applications

I found my dream UN job, but only after over 100 applications and nearly 100 rejections. Despite the rejections, people still ask me to share advice on the process :).

I do believe we need more smart and committed people to make multilateralism effective and for the UN to genuinely have an impact in the communities it serves. Sometimes the application process is daunting and awesome people choose to go elsewhere.

To stop losing great people to the private sector :) these are my top 8 tips for applying to UN jobs.

Please note, I am not a human resource professional, nor am I a coach. Information is all from personal experience and 'unofficial'. The tips are for professional level jobs, not talent pools or representational positions (these pools usually include other steps, like psychometric testing).

That said, here we go!

1.?????Is the UN for me?

First take some time to think about your talents and interests and what kind of work environments you thrive in. You want to be in a place where you can bring the best of yourself and your talents to serve others.

The UN is not always the most straightforward place to work. It's a lengthy application process (it can take a year or more to get a UN job!), the work often requires spending time away from loved ones and in challenging environments, and it can be extremely bureaucratic requiring lots of patience and humility.

So, before you embark, really ask yourself, is the UN going to really be a place where your skills and talents will truly thrive and grow? If you aren’t sure, you can test it out and see.

2.?????Get experience - on the ground, with a?good boss.

I’m a big advocate of experiencing the UN’s work in places where it is engaging directly with the people it serves. It’s very difficult to understand the UN’s work from a headquarters office. So, if you haven’t yet, get out there!

And if you can, find a good boss. This is more important than an interesting topic. A good boss will give you opportunities to learn and grow in different directions.

3.?????Do your research and apply.

The UN is going through a tough moment now. Money for multilateralism is on the decline and therefore jobs are also fewer. You need to know who is hiring, what they are looking for and how your talents are best suited for the role. Here are some places to do your research:

-????????As a starting point, check out this Linkedin post from Danijela Mili? She does a great job explaining the different agencies and where to look. ?"Demystifying" the job search process in the United Nations (UN) System | LinkedIn

-???????? Impactpool .org – One of my favorite places both for jobs but also for resources on how to apply. They also host online networking events with UN human resource professionals where you can ask questions directly, especially about hiring trends in the organization or for feedback on your CV and how to become a stronger candidate. It’s a win!

-???????? Devex .com – A good place for signing up for targeted job searches that come to your inbox based on key words.

-???????? LinkedIn – There are some great people in human resources at UN organizations who are active on LinkedIn and regularly post opportunities. No need to connect with them, just follow them. Check out Gustavo Araujo , Danijela Mili? ,? Heba DALLACHI , Shirin Hamdan, MBA . Also regularly check the hashtag #unjobs .

-????????Unjobs.org – This is an unofficial site. Full of advertisements. BUT, it does a pretty good job of pooling opportunities from across the UN system, and beyond. Not all opportunities, but most. You can search by city, organization, etc. Some few opportunities are still missing, but there is a lot there.

-????????For young professionals there are several avenues to get experience through JPOs, UNV, consulting, internship and volunteer opportunities. There are young talent pools and YPP exams. Research, research, research.

-????????Understand the different types of contracts. The UN has a lot of different contracts! Research and ask people about them. They all come with different opportunities and constraints.

-????????Is there an organization that interests you in particular? Do your market research. Who are they hiring, where, what are their priorities, follow them on LinkedIn. Many organizations are trying to achieve gender and geographic parity. Know where they are on this and how it influences your candidacy.

-????????Rosters – yes. Do get on them and if you are on one already, list that in your application and cover letter.

-????????Pro Tip: Find free UN career bootcamps on Impactpool.org and LinkedIn. Very useful resources and advice are shared.

-????????Pro Tip: Informational interviews – Yes, do them. Know someone working somewhere you would like to work? Ask for an informational interview. Expect a lot of ignored requests. Still, some people, (usually really awesome ones) will say yes. No need to only chat with the boss, you can get a lot of information about a team and job role from anyone. Do prepare for these. Know the organization and what the person is working on. There are several resources online on how to prepare for an informational interview. Someone is giving you their time and knowledge. Make the best use of the opportunity for both of you.

-????????Join a free online conference by an organization you have been eyeing – Since COVID there are lots of these and you can gain insight into the current activities, vision and strategy of the organization or team you would like to join.

-????????Skill up – Once you have a sense of what organizations are looking for use your time to gain the necessary skills. A new language, a certification, etc.

-????????Don’t contact people who are involved in the hiring process for a job you have applied to because you may be disqualified from the process.

4.?????The P-11

Every UN application is some version of the P-11, either online or the actual form itself.?The good news is once you have done it once, then you can tailor your application for each new application. But expect 1-2 days to get the first one done, right. Tips:

-????????List every experience including internships and volunteering. Some UN agencies actually have volunteering as a requirement for certain roles. List all achievements, publications, certificates and countries you have lived in and languages you speak.

-????????Although there is a lot to fill out, make every sentence count. You can find tutorials online about how to describe your experience using action verbs and results focus for your description. These are usually CV tutorials, but the same principle applies for your P-11.

-????????Tailor every job application to the job description – Many of the online hiring systems use an ATS (a computerized program that pre-screens applications). That means the first long listing is not always done by a human. So, make sure your application (and cover letter) speaks to the job.

-????????Be honest. Sometimes I have been asked to provide diplomas and certificates. Other times the hiring team has called up my places of work to confirm that I actually worked at the organization during the dates I listed in my application.

-????????Many applications have a job questionnaire at the start. Be honest when answering them. These are usually the minimum requirements they are looking for in a candidate. If you don’t meet the qualifications, it might not be the right job. Spend your application time on a job that better suits your experience and interests. ?

-????????Pro Tip: If you find a job on LinkedIn be sure to click the 'apply' button as it lets the job poster know you have applied.

-????????References – be strategic. Make sure you choose people who will speak highly of your skills and talents, who will have the time to write a reference letter, who have a good reputation, and if possible, have a connection to the organization you are applying for.

5.?????Screening interview

Congratulations, you beat the ATS! Your application made it to the first round. Now you have been invited to a screening interview. These used to be by phone and now they are a one-way video interview. Basically, the software asks you a question (you have 2 minutes to read it) and then it starts recording a video of you as you explain your answer (2-5 minutes). The advantages are that you can do it when is most convenient for you and sometimes it is easier to talk to a screen rather than having people staring back at you. But, you don’t get to interact with humans and therefore it is harder to know if you are on the right track. Here are some tips:

-????????Questions can be technical, competency or both. Be prepared for both.

-????????Practice, practice, practice. Make up some practice questions from the Job Description and practice making a 2-minute video of yourself. Then watch it and try to make improvements (lighting, location, sound of your voice, movement, etc.). Practice answering in 2- and 5-minute intervals. Have a friend watch them and give you feedback.

-????????There is almost always a ‘tell me about yourself’ question at the start. Be prepared to be concise and explain why you are a strong candidate for the role.

-????????There is often a ‘is there is anything else you would like to add’ question at the end. Prepare something for this too.

-????????Take time to check the software and your internet connection. Make sure it works!

6.?????Written test

Now it’s time to show your technical and writing skills. These tests are usually essay format (a few multiple-choice tests too!). It is used to assess technical skills in a particular area, not competency-based questions. Some are done on online systems; others are just a word document in an email.

Do’s and Don’ts:

-????????Do read the job description carefully. Are there any policies, treaties, documents that you need to be well versed in? Study those and keep them in a folder you can easily access.

-????????Pro Tip: Do pre-write a few paragraphs, in your own words, that are about the topic.

-????????Do read the question carefully and pace yourself during the test with allotted time for each question. I also like to make an outline first.

-????????Pro Tip: Do start with the easiest question so you save time for the harder questions.

-????????Do check grammar and stay within the word limit. If the written test uses an online software, first type your response on a word document and then copy and paste it online.

-????????Do site your sources, if you are allowed to use sources.

-????????Don’t reveal your identity in the test. You might be disqualified.

7.?????Panel Interview

Woo, hoo! You made it to the panel interview. In theory these are supposed to be only competency-based (the written test is for technical knowledge). But in practice I have seen them include both competency and technical skills. Tips and tricks:

-????????Pro Tip: Ask the person who invited you to the interview if you can find out who will be on the panel. Usually they say no, but sometimes they say yes. Then find out who the panelists are and what they are working on.

-????????Be prepared for both competency and technical questions. Sometimes you are asked to prepare a presentation for the panel in advance. Prepare.

-????????Be ready for a ‘why are you the best candidate for this role’ or ‘tell me about yourself’ or ‘how are your experiences relevant to this position’ questions. Plan to be concise and demonstrate both your enthusiasm and skills.

-????????For competency-based interviewing there are tons of official and unofficial resources to help you. For example: COMPETENCY BASED INTERVIEW | HR Portal (un.org) .

-????????For practice questions, I like this unofficial site: Umid.info .

-????????I like HR Director Michael Emery 's video : Competency-based Interviewing .

-????????Come up with examples from your experience to answer the competency-based interview questions. Practice, practice, practice.

-????????Pro Tip: Although you may have a lot of different experiences, highlight the ones that speak most closely to the job description and role you are applying for.

-????????If you are asked about something you don’t have direct experience with, answer honestly and then describe a different experience that demonstrates that you would be capable of meeting that challenge in the workplace.

-????????Pro Tip: Always have a question or two for the interview panel at the end when they ask if you have any questions for the panel.

-????????Pro Tip: After the interview write a thank you email referencing something that was interesting in the conversation you had during the interview.

8.?????Go the extra mile

-????????Get a coach, or buddy system or both. Coaches can work with a group. Or get a friend or two that you check in with on how the application process is going. You can read each other’s applications and cover letters and also practice interviewing skills. It’s really helpful.

-????????Have a handy resume and cover letter. Research and find an awesome template for both and have these available because someone might say, oh I would like to introduce you to so and so, do you have a resume?

-????????Be active on LinkedIn and share information on what you are working on.

-????????Apply to many, many jobs. 25% of the jobs I applied to were cancelled or went to internal candidates or rostered candidates.

-????????Set a pace in your day or your week – so you don’t get too obsessed with the process. Set a weekly or monthly goal and stick to it, with your buddy system. For example, one application a week or 20 minutes of job research a day.

-????????See it as a learning process. Each interview you do, each written test, is an opportunity for practice. Reflect on what went well, what didn’t and tweak along the way.

-????????Pro Tip: Got rejected. Ask if you can have some feedback on your application. Some will say yes, some no. It's an opportunity to learn. And if you made it to the final stages, also ask if you can be put on a roster!

Do you have more tips and tricks for UN job applications? Share them in the comments below.