How to apply to work at the United Nations

There are two ways to apply to work at the United Nations:

1. Online application

1. First determine whether you want to be an expert or a generalist at the United Nations . If you want to be a generalist, do you want to do some secretarial, peacekeeping and administrative work? If you want to be an expert, are you willing to be a full-time professional in a certain professional field (such as management, law, environment, medical care, etc.) or engage in policy formulation?

2. Browse the United Nations website (see link below) to have a general understanding of the scope of work of the United Nations. See which field you are most interested in, whether there are jobs in the field that you are qualified for, and whether there are jobs that you want to do but are not currently qualified for.

3. Make a plan. If you still need qualifications, obtain them with the goal of working at the United Nations. Perhaps the most important qualification for working in any position at the United Nations is the ability to communicate fluently in the official languages ??of the United Nations, English or French. Proficiency in other languages, in particular Arabic, Chinese, Spanish or Russian, is helpful in working in specific positions at the United Nations. Educational attainment is also an important criterion. Some low-level "generalist" jobs (mostly public service secretarial and other jobs) usually only require a high school degree and relevant work experience, but most jobs at the United Nations require a bachelor's degree or above. Many specialist jobs require an advanced degree in their field of expertise.

4. Screen for available jobs. Browse the United Nations recruitment website to check for current job openings. These vacancies are continuously updated, so if you do not find a position that suits your conditions or development goals now, be sure to check online frequently for updated information.

5. Register for a "My United Nations" account. At the top of the United Nations' recruitment website, click the "Register User" option to complete the registration. It will take about a minute to complete.

6. Create your "bio". Once you complete user registration, you will be prompted to create a "profile". It will become your confidential online resume, which includes your summary information, educational background, work experience and more. You only need to create your Resume once, but you can modify it for different job openings if necessary. You can create a "personal resume" in one go in a short period of time. This process takes about 30 minutes to an hour. Of course, you can also save a "semi-finished" resume at any time and log in to complete the creation when you have time later.

7. Make sure your resume is comprehensive, detailed, accurate and perfectly descriptive. When applying for a position, the first (and early on, only) thing a recruiter will look at is your resume. If you do not present your qualifications and qualifications well, or if your resume contains spelling and grammatical errors, then unfortunately your application will be rejected immediately. The website allows you to update your resume at any time, but when you decide to apply for a vacant position, you must ensure that your resume meets the above standards.

8. Select the vacancy you would like to apply for (see external link below). Make sure you meet all the requirements for the job, otherwise, either have a good reason why the recruiter can ignore what you're missing, or don't apply for the position. The United Nations website clearly states that you can apply for as many open positions as you like, but your credibility will be damaged if you apply for a job you are not qualified for.

9. Follow the website’s online instructions to apply for your selected vacancy. Submit the latest version of your resume and other personal information relevant to the open position

. If necessary, revise your "Resume" before submitting.

10. Provide an email address so the recruiter can notify you of receipt of the application. If you do not receive notification within 24 hours, please contact them again for confirmation.

11. Wait. Recruiters will only contact candidates who qualify for interviews, and this process can take some time. Be patient! You can obtain the status of your application by checking the "Application History" option in your "My UN" account.

Many positions require applicants to pass a test to determine whether they will be considered, and you just need to follow the guidance for the vacancy you are applying for.

2. Exam competition application

1. Visit the United Nations recruitment examination process website (see link below). This website is used to select junior full-time personnel in professional positions, and it is only available on the website. Only citizens under the age of 32 from the listed participating countries can apply. In addition, you must have a bachelor's degree or above (outside the United States) or a three-year first degree from a relevant professional group listed on the website.

2. Apply before the annual deadline. Please note that the P-11 application form on the website is the only application form recognized by the recruiter. Do not attach additional manuscripts.

3. Prepare for exams. After screening the applicants, the examiner will notify qualified applicants to participate in the examination and interview. If notified, applicants will be provided with a list of recommended reading materials and sample test questions on the website. What you need to do is work hard to demonstrate your professionalism in the field of work you are applying for and your familiarity with current major events and world politics.

4. Take the exam. Recruitment examinations will be held at selected United Nations offices around the world. The exam content includes a general exam that tests candidates' information summary and writing abilities, as well as a specialized exam that tests professional skills.

5. Wait for exam results and attend an interview (if notified). Recruiters will need some time to review the results before announcing the results, but will notify competitive applicants for interviews. The most qualified applicants will be recommended for employment within the United Nations as candidates for current and upcoming vacancies.

Tips

1. Write application materials very carefully, for example, carefully check for spelling errors, blank information, careless grammatical errors, etc. You need to understand that recruiters may receive a large number of application materials, and a small mistake may cause the application to be wasted. It is best to ask a friend to read through your "personal resume" to help identify errors you have overlooked and make useful suggestions. It's a tough process, probably tougher than any job application process you can imagine, because you're applying for a job that people all over the world want.

2. You can do everything possible to get more information about the position you are applying for through emails and phone calls. Including asking if the employee currently in the position you are applying for is a junior UN employee seeking permanent employment, which will help you gain a clear understanding of the competition you are facing. Likewise, don’t be surprised if after searching for information you find yourself in a bad situation.

3. Apply as early as possible. Recruiters are often dismissive of applicants who apply at the last minute. It is basically certain that recruiters will receive a large number of applications at the last minute. If your material is unfortunately one of them, it is likely to be hastily passed over, and late applications will undoubtedly be lost.

4. Unfortunately, the reality is often this: Applicants who get jobs at the United Nations often have people they know within the United Nations. Who do you know? It will be especially important to try to get the "insider" who will be able to help you. Therefore, despite rhetorical insistence on the principle of merit-based admission, this is not the only key to entering the door of United Nations work. In addition, you must also be careful about national quotas and national biases, which also determine whether you can successfully enter the United Nations work.

5. Gender advantages: Article 8 of the United Nations Charter stipulates that the United Nations shall have equal opportunities for men and women to hold any position in its principal and auxiliary organs without restrictions. However, there is an unwritten rule in the United Nations recruitment policy (ST/AI/2006/3, Section 9.3) that women are given priority for job qualifications. If a woman is on a United Nations recruitment roster (a waiting list approved by the central review body but not hired), her eligibility will be retained for three years; in contrast, under the same conditions, a male applicant will Eligibility is only retained for one year.

Warning

1. The United Nations does not accept ordinary applications and resumes. Unless otherwise specified, applicants must apply for vacant positions through the online application system.

Note that a job at the United Nations may not necessarily be the challenging, glamorous, "saving the world" job you long for. Read the books written by those who have worked in the United Nations. Many people complain that although the salary and benefits at the United Nations are considerable, there is serious bureaucracy, nepotism, lack of creativity, and the inability to realize the original ideals. Unless there are rational, strong-willed people who are determined to change this situation, the above-mentioned disadvantages will continue to exist. Therefore, before deciding to work at the United Nations, you need to carefully weigh the pros and cons of the job.

2. Don’t aimlessly apply for jobs that you are not qualified for. Because the previous application will remain on your employment file, the interviewer has a good memory and can remove you from the pool for any reason. So, be smart when applying for jobs.

3. When applying for a position, do not communicate any additional personal information to the recruiter unless requested. Doing so will annoy the recruiter, who will think you are intentionally subverting the official hiring process and may reject you on this basis. If you get an interview, this additional personal information will be your shining point.

4. If your conditions are not satisfactory but you are lucky enough to get an interview opportunity, you must be fully prepared for the rigorous interview. Because it usually takes multiple rounds of interviews to get further in the interview process.

5. Don’t bet on everything. While you are applying for a job with the United Nations, search for other job opportunities and start applying. If you have been unsuccessful in applying for several years, you may want to take a break.

6. Although in some circles, working in the United Nations is a very prestigious job, not everyone thinks so. This is due to their understanding of the inefficiency of the United Nations and the fact that it is not democratically elected. institutions and their own corruption problems caused by the influence of the monarchy.

Qualifications you should possess

1. Dedication and perseverance

2. University degree and/or several years of relevant work experience

3. Communication and network work skills

4. Quite comprehensive world knowledge, including politics, common sense related to the United Nations, understanding of the United Nations policy-making process, in certain professional fields, such as Professional skills in legal, medical and other fields 5. Clear writing and communication skills

6. Belief in equality

7. Good sense of humor