How to best present your candidature to the United Nations

John Ericson Chief, Outreach Section

Office of Human Resources ManagementDecember 2009

UNITED NATIONS ASKS FOR A LOT OF INFORMATION

• Birthdate, nationality, gender, marital

status, no. of dependants, languages, etc.

• Education and publications: ensure that

your post-secondary degree is from an

accredited academic institution

• Comprehensive but concise work history, salaries, names of supervisors, skills, etc.

• References

Go to http://jobs.un.org Or website of organization of interest to

you: undp.org, unicef.org, etc. Open an account

Complete your profile

Select the vacancies you are interested in applying for

Submit application, including cover letter

Personal History Profile/P.11

BEFORE YOU BEGIN DRAFTING YOUR APPLICATION:

Understand the position

1. Saves time and reduces frustration that results

from applying for jobs not suited to your strengths and aspirations.

2. Improves ability to position yourself to meet the needs of the hiring office.

Personal History Profile/P.11

The Employment section

Description of Duties

Highlight your job responsibilities. Describe your duties with careful

attention to the vacancy for which you are applying.

Use action verbs; Current job in present tense All others in past tense.

Personal History Profile/P.11

The Employment section (cont’d)

Summary of Achievements

Provide specific examples where you made an impact in the positions for your employers.

Be specific in describing the impact/ contributions you have made.

Duties & Achievements –What is the difference?

Duties = what you do (did) in your job

Achievements = how well you did in your job

Cover Letter

WHAT IS THE COVER LETTER?

Describe how your experience, qualifications & competencies match the position for which you are applying.

You can distinguish yourself from other candidates by highlighting what makes you a good match for the position.

Cover Letter

Standard Structure

1. Open with statement of interest

2. Summarize qualifications, experience & competencies

3. Close with a brief recap

Make it Impressive

PHP & Cover Letter: additional tipsRemember, the UN will first get to

know you only through these documents

Be specific

Make your words count

Write/Edit in wordprocessor

Proofread

Q & A

Any Questions?