Applying for UN job opportunities Preparing to apply

Applying for UN job opportunities

Preparing to apply • Know yourself and your competencies: is the position for me? • Do I meet the qualifications and experience requirements? • What do I know about this particular job? • What do I know about the organization? • Have I considered all the implications if I am given the position? (Moving abroad, leaving family, culture shock) • Will I actually take the job if I am selected? 7

Writing a UN CV • (Also called Personal History Form) • Result-based CV: highlight what your function meant beyond the title, using concreate achievements and figures (budget size, number of partners involved, etc. ) • Fill all fields as much as possible • Watch out spelling mistakes! 7

Writing a cover letter • One page maximum • Structure: open with states of interest, summarize qualifications, experience and competencies, close with a brief recap • Do not repeat your CV: focus on the key elements from your past experience that are relevant to the position you are applying for • Show your drive and commitment • Watch out spelling mistakes! • Spell out acronyms 7

Getting ready for the interview • Check all key words in the job description • Learn about the interview techniques used by the UN: competency-based interviews • Search for tips and advice on the Net (also Youtube videos on the topic) • Prepare related examples from your past professional experience • C A R L way of presenting examples: Context, Action, Results, Learning 7

Interview question examples • Tell me about a situation when you went above and beyond your manager’s expectations. • Can you give me an example of a time when you used your problem solving abilities to resolve an issue? • Tell me about a time where you had a number of demands being made on you at the same time. How did you handle it? • Describe a time where you demonstrated excellent listening skills. 7