How to start an international career? Learn from U.N. experts
WATCH UCC's webinar series with special guests, Nobel Peace Prize Winner & Senior UN officials
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Mona Ali Khalil
Lawyer with 30+ years of UN & international experience
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Ambassador Dr D. Landsmann
Former British Ambassador
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Lameen Abdul-Malik
20+ years’ experience in international development
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Christiane Ahlborn
Assistant Professor of Public International Law Trinity College Dublin. UN YPP exam specialist with experience at 3 UN agencies
United Career Coalition (UCC) enables opportunities to network and connect with current & former UN system staff; shares advice from those that have applied, interviewed & secured UN roles.
UCC was created to help you realise your dream of an international career and share insights and tips on
how to start a career with the UN system.
Cover letter guide & sample letter drafted by UN insiders
Is your cover letter the right fit for a UN job? Don’t know where to start, how do you structure your cover letter and what key language, UN values, skills and competencies should you reflect? Learn from UCC’s UN insiders that have applied, interviewed and secured UN system roles on how to craft a cover letter that stands out!
Our UN insider guide can help:
Structure your cover letter.
Share cover letter sample tips.
Guide you on how to optimise your application.
Share how to avoid common pitfalls when you create a cover letter for a P grade post, submit a cover letter for a UN YPP and completing a Personal History Form (P11) for entry positions for a UN internship.
45min personalised 1:1 career coaching call with a UN expert
Need help to start your International Organisations incl. UN system career? Learn how our tailored video coaching, mentoring & advice with a UN insider can help.
Get advice from well-versed UN Insiders who can help you kickstart your global career in 2024.
Our exclusive 45 min one to one video call will provide customised advice, coaching and insider tips on Intergovernmental Organisations incl. UN system applications.
Fast track your way to success and avoid common mistakes in navigating towards your international career goals by applying smarter today!
Cover/Motivation letter review for UN roles by UN experts
Who can help review if your cover or motivation letter matches the UN job you want to apply for? Have your cover/motivation letter reviewed by one of our UN system experts to ensure your application documents stand out!
Get advice from our UN system experts to understand what is key for the very specific UN system roles you apply for and how to tailor your application documents
Our exclusive document review is designed to help you avoid common mistakes and
Tailor your application documents towards key tasks expected, responsibilities and skills
Help you show HR and the hiring manager that you understand the role and showcase why you are the right fit.
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Read our blog, written by UN system staff to offer FREE advice or read our reviews below.
Read our FREE blog for career tips, which location to choose, applications, internships, YPP, career change or learn about interviews & networking.
Reviews from Customers:
“Very professional and knowledgable.”
— Sam (USA)
“Communication was excellent. I truly appreciate the assistance and guidance on making a career at the UN. I highly recommend their services!”
—Nesse (US)
“Wonderful experience. Good value for the money. I would come back for further advice.”
— Akowali (Russia)
“My cv and cover letter looks competitive and consistent finally! I learned a lot through this.”
— Susanne (Austria)
How to increase your chances to get jobs in the UN system?
The UN is an enormous employer with over 37,505 staff (global Secretariat as of 31 December 2018). Just how difficult is it to get a United Nations role? This is best be answered by someone who has been through the process and experienced the application process with all its trials and tribulations.
There are a lot of articles stating the best way to get your foot in the UN door is through a UN internship, which whilst true, if you are 32 and have finally taken the plunge to look for a career change into the UN, searching for a UN job vacancy you may find it is not the simplest path. If you are in this working demographic you most probably prefer a paid management role rather than a UN internship or an entry-level un job with postgrads and undergraduates who perhaps have less experience and skills. UN internships aren’t paid? Yes this may also be a factor you may question, most United Nations internships are not paid with costs related to travel, insurance, accommodation, and living expenses also needing to be self-funded from your pocket.
So where does this leave you on your UN career path? Based on collective experience, you can get a job with the UN without having to do an internship. Our advice, apply smart, do your homework, be patient and I repeat, apply smart. Let us start with your UN application…
Learn more in our UN questions page