How to use the STAR method effectively in your job application and interviews for jobs with the United Nations system…

The STAR can be a powerful tool for structuring your interview preparation, for structuring your answers and to show the UN interview panel why you are the best candidate and how well you meet the UN job selection criteria’s, competencies or skills.

It’s a great method that can help you secure a job with the United Nation and/or its agencies. Used correctly, the STAR provides an excellent guide for job applicants.

Reason being is because the STAR method provides a structure that assists you to present examples as part of your written application or in an interview; typically, competency-based ones which are used by the UN.

Following the STAR method -Situation Task Action Result –

• pick and describe a specific situation or problem you are experiencing or experienced in the past that is relevant for the UN role you wish to apply; What was the situation and why was it difficult to handle?

• highlight the task involved in the situation that you had to accomplish;

• tell what actions you took to achieve the task (TIPP: HR wants to hear about the actions YOU took; use ‘I’.)

• and show the result that directly followed because of your actions– what you achieved; state the outcome, for example: Were the objectives met? What did you learn/gain from being in that situation?

TIPP: prepare for a follow up questions: “If you had acted differently, what could the outcome have been?”

The idea is to not only claim you have excellent skills but actually prove you do by sharing specific situations. Find a strong example that displays your skills and abilities, set it out clearly and succinctly, and show how it contributed to achieving your companies’ objectives.

We recommend you select a situation or task where you achieved a great result, ideally one that is measurable; provide quantitative data and figures if possible. It’s advisable to pick a real example as you may be asked to talk about it in more detail during your interview, so you need to be confident you can do that.

Focus on what’s really important! The description of the situation and task is just to provide some background information and should be kept as brief and succinct possible – what’s important is how you addressed the problem and how you achieved a good outcome.

Last but not least, remember, everything in your job application displays your written communication skills.

In summary, keep your STAR examples specific, recent and relevant. HR and hiring managers want to hear how you have used your skills and behaviours in a positive way, so that they can see how you would apply them in the workplace!

A good STAR method example in your job application, that is also well written, will go a long way towards getting you an interview, and ultimately the job.

Interested to learn more? Have a look at all our services or get in touch with one of our professional UN insiders. Our UCC expert UN insider advice is available to everybody.

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