What I wish I knew about UN applications and UN jobs – why using UN language is key to starting a career with the United Nations
What I wish I knew about UN applications: How to start a United Nations career using the right UN language. Breaking into a UN career can be challenging. Learn why using the correct UN terminology and application language is crucial for success, plus expert tips on how to start a career with the United Nations and stand out in the recruitment process.
Starting a career with the United Nations (UN) is a dream for many professionals who want to make a global impact, contribute to sustainable development, and work on issues like peace, climate change, and human rights. But breaking into the UN system is notoriously difficult. Competition is intense, job postings are technical, and the UN application process is very different from traditional recruitment.
When I first began applying for UN jobs, I underestimated just how important speaking the right “UN language” really was. It’s not just about English fluency or writing a polished CV. The UN has its own set of concepts, frameworks, and terminology that it expects applicants to know and use. Failing to align your application with this language can be one of the many reasons even highly qualified professionals never hear back.
1. Why the UN uses its own terminology
The United Nations system is built on standardized processes and competency frameworks. Job descriptions are written in very specific ways, and applicant profiles may be screened against these criteria. For example, the UN evaluates candidates using core competencies such as:
Results-based management (RBM)
Monitoring and evaluation (M&E)
Stakeholder engagement
Accountability and transparency
Capacity-building
If you don’t explicitly mention these terms—phrased exactly as they appear in UN job descriptions—your experience may be overlooked, even if you’ve done similar work under different names.
2. The “correct” UN language you need to use
When applying for UN careers, your Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter should mirror UN terminology. Here are examples of how to translate your experience into UN-speak:
Instead of saying “I managed projects”, you could write “I applied results-based management (RBM) approaches to deliver donor-funded projects.”
Instead of saying “I tracked outcomes”, you could write “I conducted monitoring and evaluation (M&E) using UN standard indicators and logical frameworks.”
Instead of “I worked with partners”, you may want to highlight “I facilitated multi-stakeholder engagement across government, private sector, and civil society.”
This isn’t about buzzwords—it’s about showing you understand how the UN operates. Recruiters look for alignment with the UN competency framework, not just generic project management.
3. What I wish I knew before applying for UN jobs
Looking back, here are the biggest lessons I learned (and what I wish I had known earlier):
Generic CVs don’t work – The UN does not want a traditional résumé. It uses the UN Inspira system, where every word matters.
Key terms can unlock filters – UN HR often screens applications with keyword searches. If your application doesn’t contain e.g. “results-based management,” “capacity-building,” or “SDG alignment,” you may not make it past the first round.
Context is everything – Highlight how your work aligns with UN mandates, SDGs, and multilateral agreements.
Patience is required – Recruitment can take months. It doesn’t mean you’re out—it’s just the pace of the system.
Think of your UN job application like translation: you’re translating your professional achievements into UN terminology. This shows recruiters not only that you have the skills, but that you understand how to apply them in a multilateral, international context.
Applicants who fail to use this language may appear less experienced, even if they are equally qualified.
Final advice for starting your career with the United Nations
Carefully read the UN job description and highlight the keywords and UN values.
Use the UN related terms in your PHP, cover letter, and interview answers.
Familiarize yourself with UN competencies and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs).
Consider entry points like the UN Young Professionals Programme (YPP), Junior Professional Officer (JPO) scheme, or UN Volunteers (UNV) assignments.
What I wish I knew earlier is simple: in the UN system, it’s not just what you’ve done—it’s how you describe it.
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