Have you got an upcoming United Nations Volunteers interview? Want to know the best UN Volunteer interview tips? Read on to find out how to put your best foot forward for your UNV interview!

How to Prepare for a United Nations Volunteers Interview

• Familiarize yourself with competency-based interviewing techniques.
• Prepare multiple scenarios you plan to discuss in your interview (5 at minimum)
• Conduct a mock interview with a trusted friend or family member to practice your responses and build confidence.
• Review your resume thoroughly and have a copy readily available during the interview for quick reference.
• Keep in mind that the interview will likely be brief (usually under 30 minutes), as recruiters often have multiple candidates scheduled. Be concise and focused in your responses, and don’t take it personally if there isn’t much discussion around your answers.
• If you don’t fully understand a question during the interview, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification to ensure you can provide an accurate and thoughtful response.

What Questions Will they Ask in a United Nations Volunteers Interview?

The questions you’ll encounter during your UN Volunteers interview are competency-based, focusing on demonstrating specific skills and attributes. These questions typically require you to provide detailed examples of how you have applied these competencies in past experiences. Often, one question may have multiple parts. Here are a few examples of competency-based interview questions:

• Tell me about a time when you had to deliver under tight deadlines or limited resources. How did you ensure the outcome was achieved?
• Give an example of how you demonstrated leadership in a previous role? what was the issue? what did you do? what was the result?
• Tell me about a time when you had to handle a conflict with a coworker? What was the concern? How did you resolve this?
• Give an example of how you demonstrate gender and inclusivity in the workplace? What was the impact it had?
• Give an example of good team work? What did you do? What could you have done better next time?

What if I am not Offered the United Nations Volunteer role? Then what?

Do not be discouraged. If you are not offered the role, you may receive an email stating something like, “Thank you for your time. We have selected another candidate. However, if circumstances change with the selected candidate, we may contact you within the next few months.” This means there’s still a chance. If you don’t receive such an email, don’t worry. Many candidates go through multiple interviews before securing a United Nations Volunteers position. Since you’re likely applying to various UN agencies (such as UNHCR, IOM, UNDP, UNICEF, etc.), you may have different interviewers depending on the host agency. In short, keep applying!

Where can I find more information on the United Nations Volunteers program?

Feel free to check out my Comprehensive Guide to the United Nations Volunteers Program.

I wish you the best in your United Nations Volunteers interview!

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Please note: the views and opinions expressed on this blog are that of my own and do not represent the opinions of any agency mentioned.