The United Nations is one of the most lucrative organizations to work for. Its employees enjoy several benefits and fantastic pay, which explains why most people keep applying for jobs yearly.
It would be best to be exceptional to get a job owing to this huge demand. Therefore, you should ace your interview and convince the hiring panel that you can offer what matches whatever is required.
Unlike most job interviews, the UN hiring panel relies on competency-based questions, given that this organization incredibly takes pride in the quality of its staff.
Most of the questions that we will cover in this article will, therefore, be behavioral or criterion-based, seeking to uncover some of your past behaviors and experiences under the belief that they will influence your future performance.
Take a look at the following:
8 Tips to Prepare for a F2 Visa Interview
Here’s a list of eight items that a candidate should focus on when preparing for a United Nations interview:
United Nations Interview Preparation
| Focus Area | Details | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Understanding the UN Mandate | Familiarize yourself with the UN’s history, mission, and key principles. Understand the organization’s role in international relations, peacekeeping, development, and human rights. | Be prepared to discuss specific UN initiatives, recent developments, and challenges. Highlight how your skills and experiences align with the UN’s goals. |
| International Affairs and Diplomacy | Develop a strong understanding of global issues, current events, and geopolitical dynamics. Be aware of major international treaties and agreements. | Stay updated on recent global developments. Demonstrate your ability to analyze complex international issues and propose diplomatic solutions. |
| Multilateral Cooperation and Teamwork | Emphasize your experience in working collaboratively with diverse teams. Understand the importance of multilateralism in achieving the UN’s objectives. | Provide examples of successful teamwork, especially in cross-cultural contexts. Highlight instances where you navigated diverse perspectives to achieve common goals. |
| Communication and Negotiation Skills | Showcase your effective communication and negotiation skills. Understand the significance of clear communication in an international context. | Be prepared to discuss instances where you successfully communicated complex ideas or negotiated agreements. Highlight your ability to bridge cultural and linguistic gaps. |
| Knowledge of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) | Demonstrate your understanding of the SDGs, their interconnectivity, and the importance of achieving sustainable development. | Discuss how your skills and experiences align with specific SDGs. Provide examples of projects or initiatives you’ve been involved in that contribute to sustainable development. |
| Human Rights and Social Justice | Showcase your commitment to human rights and social justice. Understand the UN’s role in promoting and protecting human rights globally. | Discuss your involvement in human rights-related projects or advocacy. Be prepared to articulate your stance on key human rights issues and propose ways to address them. |
| Crisis Management and Conflict Resolution | Highlight your experience in Crisis Management and Conflict Resolution. Understand the UN’s role in peacekeeping and conflict resolution. | Provide examples of situations where you successfully managed or resolved conflicts. Emphasize your ability to remain calm under pressure and work towards peaceful resolutions. |
| Technical Skills (e.g., Data Analysis, IT, or Project Management) | If applicable to the position, emphasize your technical skills such as data analysis, IT proficiency, or project management expertise. | Provide specific examples of how your technical skills have been applied in previous roles. Demonstrate how these skills contribute to the effective implementation of UN programs or initiatives. |
Remember to tailor your responses to the specific position and its requirements. Additionally, stay informed about current events and any recent developments related to the United Nations.
Top 25 United Nations Interview Questions and Answers
Here are the top 25 United Nations interview questions, along with a sample answer for each question.
1. Tell Us an Experience Where You Exceeded Your Manager’s Expectations
Are you able to meet or even exceed the set targets or goals? The interviewer wants to know just how good you are in your job and whether you can record an excellent performance.
Sample Answer
When working for a sales and marketing company, I was in charge of a small sales area and given a target to meet by the end of the month. I rallied my team towards a common goal-to double the set target so that everybody could make a good commission. We worked extra hard, widened our reach, and managed to triple our sales target by the end of the month. My manager and the entire company were pleased, and everyone went home with a fat cheque. I also won the best sales representative of the month.
2. Have You Ever Had Several Demands Being Made Simultaneously? How Do You Normally Handle Such Situations?
This is an operational question that seeks to determine how you handle given aspects of your job. The interviewer is testing your organizational, planning, and prioritization skills. You can draw from an experience where you managed several projects.
Sample Answer
I have been in lots of such situations. Whenever they occur, I put my planning and prioritization skills into practice. I draw a list and prioritize the demands based on urgency and start with the most urgent. I later deal with the ones that can wait, a technique that has always proven to work wonders.
3. Give an Experience Where You Used Your Problem Solving Ability to Resolve a Problem
Are you a good problem solver? The interviewer is putting your problem-solving skills to the test. Here, you need to give an example of a problem that did not stem from your incompetence. It can be a stalemate between two workers, disagreement between several parties, or an inconvenience. Just make sure that it was not your fault.
Sample Answer
I once stepped in to resolve a conflict between two workmates as it was negatively impacting our team. I arranged a meeting with both and gave them a chance to explain their sides of the story. I decided to be a mediator, helping them resolve their issues without imposing my solutions. I was impartial and encouraged both to let out whatever they had been holding in. By the end of the meeting, they were friends and even walked back to the office laughing.
4. Could You Please Rate Your Communication Skills and Back Your Answer
The interviewer wants to know just how well you can articulate ideas and pass them on to others. Can you communicate well with other employees without being ambiguous or getting misunderstood? When backing your answer, you should give an experience that supports your rating.
Sample Answer
On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate my communication skills at 9, simply because I have incredibly high expectations that the few times I do not come off as clear as I would like to make me feel like a failure. In some of my former workplaces, my supervisor and co-workers have congratulated me on my clear and excellent communication skills. My team does not also hesitate to let me know if they need clarifications on a given subject.
5. How Do You Normally Encourage Ideas in Your Fellow Staff Members?
The interviewer wants to know if you can engage well with others. Can you encourage creative ideas in your team members if given the job, or will you discourage them? Your answer needs to be concise.
Sample Answer
I usually tell my team members to be creative and feel free to present ideas, however off or insignificant they think they are. I believe that every employee should be confident and able to bring forward new and creative ideas. I usually maintain an open-door policy and recognize anyone that shows initiative.
6. We Love to Hire Individuals that Can Offer More than what is in the Job Description. What are Other Functions that You Can Perform?
The interviewer wants to know some of your abilities or expertise outside this job. This will be an added advantage since you may be called upon to switch roles, get a promotion based on these skills, or even step in for another employee, now that you will be working for a multinational organization. Sell yourself and mention something that will make you outstanding.
Sample Answer
Apart from being an environmental lawyer, I am a coder. I have had an interest in coding from a young age. I taught myself how to code before pursuing a certification in programming. I can build and modify software easily, which I usually do for fun and not necessarily money.
7. Tell Me about the Last Time You Faced an Ethical Dilemma at Work
This is a competency-based question testing your integrity. The interviewer wants to know whether you can stick to the policies and regulations of the workplace. You should not also compromise on your personal beliefs and virtues when going about your job. Give an experience where you took a stand.
Sample Answer
One of my former workmates kept coming to work late without any proper reason and received many warnings. He arrived late even after being given the last warning and asked me to cover up for him. I told him that I could not help him break the organization’s laws. He was later relieved of his duties. I felt terrible, but the knowledge that I did what was right made me feel better afterward.
8. Have You Ever Experienced a Setback in Your Career?
The interviewer wants an experience where you managed to overcome a significant setback in your career. It would be best if you described what happened and how you reacted to the problem. Make sure that you give a real-life experience.
Sample Answer
I believe in progress. At one point in my career, I realized that I had stagnated for a long time. I tried applying for different positions in the organization after seven years of no promotion whatsoever. I later discovered that one of the human resource managers had a problem with me due to a past altercation and thwarted any idea of me getting promoted. Even my fellow workmates saw how much I was hurt, and therefore, to avoid further problems, I decided to quit and apply for a job in a different organization. That’s how I got into management.
9. What is Your Experience Working with People from Diverse Organizations?
The United Nations is a multinational organization, and therefore, you should expect to interact with people from different backgrounds and all walks of life.
Sample Answer
First, I attended an international school where I schooled with people from different races. I, therefore, had my interaction with people from diverse backgrounds pretty early. After school and college, I interned and was later employed in a foreign organization and became an expatriate. Most of my workmates were from different races.
10. Have You Ever Found it Difficult to Work with a Person from a Different Background? Would you mind telling Us Your Experience?
This is a follow-up question based on the previous one. When answering such a question, please focus on what caused the problem, how you responded, and the outcome of your response.
Sample Answer
I once worked on a project where the Chinese contractor did not understand or speak English well. Most of the things we said ended up being misinterpreted. He could not also articulate his thoughts well and ended saying totally different things in English. After a day of trying to understand each other, I suggested using an interpreter, which proved to be successful, even though we had to start all over.
11. How Would Other People Describe Your Communication Skills?
You should be prepared for such direct questions testing on your skills when attending a United Nations interview. Your answer should focus on the positive things people have said about your communication skills or the areas of improvement that they have highlighted.
Sample Answer
Most of the people I have worked with are amazed at how well I articulate and communicate my ideas. I have had people asking me to teach them a thing or two about putting messages across. Such responses have convinced me that I am a good communicator.
12. Kindly Tell Us about the Last Time You Were in a Team
This is a competency-based question that seeks to determine whether you can work in team settings. You should highlight the purpose of the team, what you liked or disliked about it, and how you managed to convince the team members to cooperate.
Sample Answer
My last workplace set up a team to implement specific technological changes. It consisted of supportive and highly skilled individuals who met all the deadlines and did a perfect job. As the group leader, I rallied the group members towards a common goal to implement these changes successfully.
13. Have You Been In a Situation Where Your Objectives Were Different From That of the Team?
This may be a follow-up question or an independent one. The interviewer wants to know how you would handle a difference in opinions or objectives between you and the team. Your answer should reveal how you reacted, the outcomes, and how you managed to balance your personal and team goals.
Sample Answer
When working on a technology implementation project, my objective was to ensure proper and good results regardless of time. However, my team members felt that time was of the essence, even if it meant rushing over the project. I convinced them that rushing to save time made us vulnerable to mistakes that would force us to re-do the job, thus spending even more time. They understood, and the team objectives changed.
14. Have You Ever Had to Explain Something Difficult to Someone without your Background Knowledge?
This is yet another competency-based question testing your communication skills. Can you put across a technical piece of information in layman terms? Mention what you needed to pass, what you considered explaining, and the most challenging aspect.
Sample Answer
My former company and a policy that required everyone in the firm, including the support staff, to be educated on the dangers of electricity. I had an audience that could not grasp the scientific concept of electrocution. To get the information across, I gave them an example of a broken circuit. I explained that our bodies being conductors were like the missing piece needed for the electricity to flow. They understood.
15. Have You Ever been in a Situation Where you Had to appear Knowledgeable about your Area of Specialization?
This is a competency-based question testing on professionalism. Your answer should capture why it was essential to appear knowledgeable and how you established credibility.
Sample Answer
I attended a meeting of some of the best molecular Biologists in the country. Given their expertise and some of their works, I had to appear knowledgeable. In my speech, I cited several renowned works, some of whose authors were right before us, to give my points the credibility they deserved.
16. Have You Ever Been Asked to Bend the Rules by a Colleague?
The interviewer is testing your integrity. Remember, the United Nations Organization prides itself on its quality of employees, and therefore, you do not stand a chance if you cannot be trusted. You should mention how you managed the situation, the pressure you faced, and the outcome.
Sample Answer
A colleague once asked me to use my position to influence the security office to delete a CCTV recording of indecency and gross misconduct in the office. I turned him down politely, telling him that it was against what I believed in. The footage reached the top management, and he got suspended. Even though he was a friend, I felt that my integrity at the workplace was greater than any moment we had shared.
17. Mention a Time When You Couldn’t Finish a Task or Project on Time despite Trying to
The is a competency-based question in which the interviewer assesses how you finish challenging tasks and why you could not meet your deadline at the given instance.
Sample Answer
I submitted my dissertation late during my final year of university. I had to do lots of research and got delayed by surveys from researchers in other institutions. However, I informed my course instructor prior and requested more time which he allowed. I managed to get the quality and accuracy I wanted and scored really high.
18. Have You Ever Had to Complete a Project on a Strict Deadline and Still Posted Amazing Results?
The interviewer wants to know if you can deliver fantastic results on a strict deadline. Mention one of your best experiences.
Sample Answer
I was given two days to review the business processes and make recommendations. I immediately went into action mode and managed to review all the processes and made recommendations within the time given.
19. Give Us an Experience where Effective Time Management Has Helped You Succeed in Your Work.
The interviewer wants to know if you can manage your time well when working on projects and achieve good results. Mention what you were mandated to do and how you managed time well and got good results.
Sample Answer
When working on a project, two team members left midway. I told the manager to let us take up their roles instead of bringing new people on board. We reviewed the work schedules, delegated new responsibilities, and worked overtime. We managed to complete the project on time.
20. Describe a Situation where someone tested your Patience
This competency-based question seeks to discover how patient you are and how much you can tolerate. Mention the situation, what caused it and how you responded.
Sample Answer
Teamwork and group settings have, on some occasions, tested my patience. Once a team member failed to deliver even after everyone gave him two more days to work on his part of the project. Being the team leader, I was to blame if we didn’t meet the provided deadline. I had to step in, dropped him from the team, and did the work.
21. What Is Your Experience Working With People From Different Cultures?
Sample Answer
I have had the opportunity to work with people from diverse cultures throughout my career. One example that comes to mind is when I worked on a project with a team from Japan. I noticed that they had a more formal communication style and preferred to communicate in writing. To adapt to their work style, I made sure to communicate with them in writing as much as possible and used a more formal tone in my emails. I also made an effort to learn more about their culture and customs, which helped me build stronger relationships with them.
22. Describe A Time When You Had To Make A Difficult Decision In A High-Pressure Situation. How Did You Handle It?
Sample Answer
In my previous role, I was leading a project that was behind schedule and over budget. I had to make a difficult decision to cut some features from the project scope to ensure that we could deliver the project on time and within budget. I called a meeting with the stakeholders to explain the situation and the reasons for the decision. I also presented a detailed plan for how we would deliver the remaining features in a future release. Although it was a tough decision, I believe it was the right one for the project and the organization.
23. What Is Your Experience Working With People Who Have Different Levels Of Authority?
Sample Answer
I have worked with people at all levels of the organization, from entry-level employees to senior executives. One example that comes to mind is when I was leading a project team that included members from different departments. One of the team members was a senior executive who had a lot of influence in the organization. To navigate this dynamic, I made sure to communicate with him regularly and keep him informed of the project’s progress. I also made an effort to listen to his feedback and incorporate his ideas into the project plan. By doing so, I was able to build a strong working relationship with him and ensure that the project was successful.
24. Tell Us About A Time When You Had To Work With A Team To Achieve A Common Goal. What Was Your Role, And How Did You Contribute To The Team’s Success?
Sample Answer
In my previous role, I was part of a team that was responsible for launching a new product. My role was to lead the marketing efforts for the product launch. I worked closely with the product development team to understand the product’s features and benefits and develop a marketing strategy that would resonate with our target audience. I also collaborated with the sales team to develop sales materials and training programs. By working together as a team, we were able to successfully launch the product and exceed our sales targets.
25. What Is Your Experience Working With People Who Have Different Communication Styles?
Sample Answer
I have worked with people who have different communication styles throughout my career. One example that comes to mind is when I worked with a team member who was very direct and to the point in his communication style. To adapt to his style, I made sure to be concise and clear in my emails and avoid using too much jargon or technical language. I also made an effort to listen carefully to his feedback and respond to his questions in a straightforward manner. By doing so, I was able to build a strong working relationship with him and ensure that we were able to work effectively together.
Conclusion
These are some of the common questions in UN interviews that you should expect. Make sure that you have several real-life experiences that you can draw from.
