Q&A for How to Get a Job With the United Nations

Make sure you get a good night's sleep, eat well, and arrive a few minutes early so you can get situated.

For university, probably international development/relations/affairs or global health.

Consider joining student council, and/or the debate team. If your school has a model UN group, definitely join that! You can also learn a new language and/or pursue volunteer opportunities.

Absolutely. Just wait a while before reapplying, and in the meantime, try to gain some valuable experience elsewhere to boost your chances of getting hired next time.

Yes, as long as the UN deems the country suitable for rejoining. It would all be dependent on the current state of said country, and the reason for its removal in the first place. You don't just let a country rejoin that has made no effort to change the problems outlined upon removal from the UN.

Try calling them and asking what is meant by this. Most likely they're just asking you to come in for an interview.

Yes, of course, when you've completed your studies and have gotten some years of experience you may apply as a medical doctor with the UN. Every UN field office has a medical unit.

Generally the UN doesn't need people with jobs in that area of expertise, but there might be some jobs could you apply for.

Yes, sometimes they are.

There are many unpaid internship positions. Visit careers.un.org for more information.

Having a master's degree will increase your chances to get a job at the UN. However, you should concentrate on areas that are needed in the United Nations and you will also need at least one other language your own. Try to get an internship as well, as this is a good way to work out what you like and don't like most.

In the UN, ICT or Engineering are both job families suitable for technicians, although "Technology" is a rather unspecified term.

There are many counseling jobs available at the UN. Counselors are in charge of supporting UN personnel who need help coping with a stressful work environment, and/or traumatic experiences.

Most locally advertised UN jobs require school leaving certificates for general service positions. Please read the above information about staff categories.

The UN rarely hires people without any work experience, except for the Young Professional Programme. You have to choose your 'dream job', then try to get a first working experience in the private or public sector.

You ca apply for a job with the UN as long as you have a bachelor's degree. Having a master's degree would most likely increase your chances as well. The type of degree depends on which area you're interested in working in; generalist degrees that might help include public administration, government relations, public affairs, law, economics, science and humanities. Specialist degrees would include engineering, architecture, communications, medicine, etc. It really depends what field interests you most.

The Young Professionals Programme (YPP) and the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) programs require applicants to be under the age of 32 and these require less or no work experience for entry, while other jobs advertised require a certain number of years of specific work experience. As long as you have the experience, start by taking a look at some job ads and try matching your experience to the positions open.