What hiring managers expect in a motivation letter and the transferable skills that most surprise hiring committees
What are hiring managers expecting in a motivation letter?
What are hiring managers expecting in a motivation letter?
a. A clear answer to “Why this role?”
Generic cover letters are the fastest route to rejection.
Strong motivation letters:
Connect your values to the organisation’s mission
Show you understand the role and its challenges
Demonstrate what you bring that others may not
b. Authenticity, not poetry
Hiring committees prefer:
Plain language
Real motivation
Directness
A motivation letter should read like a conversation, not an essay.
c. Three core messages
A compelling motivation letter covers:
Who you are professionally — your core expertise and strengths
Why you want this role — and why now
What value you can add — backed by concrete examples
If your motivation letter answers these clearly, you’re already ahead of most candidates.
Most candidates underestimate the value of the very things that make their background unique.
Hiring managers don’t just hire technical expertise — they hire:
Sound judgment
Adaptability
Emotional intelligence
The ability to lead and deliver under pressure
UN-specific expectations for motivation letters
Motivation letters for UN positions follow the same general principles but UN hiring managers have additional expectations due to the organisation’s mandate, multicultural setting, and competency-based recruitment system.
Here is what UN hiring committees pay particular attention to:
1. Alignment with the UN’s core values and competencies
UN managers look for evidence that you embody the organisation’s values:
Integrity
Professionalism
Respect for diversity
And its core competencies:
Communication
Teamwork
Planning and organizing
Accountability
Client orientation
Creativity
Technological awareness
Commitment to continuous learning
Your motivation letter should reflect these naturally through examples — not by repeating the words, but by showing how you’ve lived them in real situations.
2. Understanding of the UN’s mandate and operating environment
UN hiring panels value candidates who demonstrate awareness of:
The UN’s political, humanitarian, or development context
The complexities of working in multicultural and multi-mandate environments
The importance of neutrality, diplomacy, and inclusion
The constraints and realities of working within a large international organisation
Showing that you understand how the UN works — not just what it does — signals readiness.
3. Motivation for international public service
In the UN system, motivation is not only about interest — it’s about commitment to public service.
Strong letters articulate:
Why you want to work in the UN specifically
What aspect of multilateral work motivates you
How your goals contribute to global peace, development, or human rights
How your experience prepares you for working in diverse, complex environments
Generic statements like “I want to make a difference” are too vague. UN hiring managers want clarity and authenticity.
Top tip: Include examples that demonstrate adaptability and cross-cultural effectiveness
Plus, ensure there is a clear connection between your experience and the specific UN role you are applying for!
If your CV and motivation letter tell that story clearly, you will stand out far more than you realise.
👉 Want expert help preparing your documents?
Book a 45-minute video call with a U.N. career expert through the United Career Coalition. Get personalized feedback, practice competency questions, and learn what panelists are really looking for.
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