Hello there, my name is Richard McMunn from the interview training company PassMyInterview.com.
And in this tutorial, I will teach you how to prepare for and pass a United Nations interview.
It does not matter which job you are applying for within the United Nations, or for that
matter which country you are applying within, please do what this tutorial from beginning
to end, because it will make a big difference to your preparation! I am going to give you
a number of interview questions and also suggested answers. So, like I say, please do stick around
and watch it from beginning to end. Before I get into those questions, answers and the
tips, a very warm welcome to this United Nations interview training tutorial. My name is Richard
McMunn. That's me there in the center. I've been helping people for about 20 years now
to pass their interviews. I do that primarily by always giving you top-scoring answers.
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me to create more content for you. Thank you very much! Now in this tutorial, I am going
to cover standard United Nations interview questions, and also competency-based interview
questions too. As you probably know, the United Nations do use competency-based interview
questions to assess your skills and qualities. Now, I want to quickly stress that all of
the proceeds from this video and the accompanying guide are going to be donated to UNICEF. We
don't make any money from this video or of the advertising costs and the guide that I
offer you. The sales from that do go to the brilliant charity, UNICEF. OK. Let's get into
my United Nations interview questions and answers. Here we go. The first question I
want you to prepare for is: Tell me about yourself and the qualities you can bring to
the United Nations? Here is my suggested answer. “I first became aware of the great work
carried out by the United Nations when I was younger and being someone who feels passionately
about the values and ethics you abide by, the passion, skills and experiences I possess
are a natural fit for this role. Prior to applying, I considered carefully the UN mission
and vision statements, and more importantly, the competencies needed to perform this role
to the right levels. My experiences to date include, always acting with professionalism
and integrity, being able to work effectively as a wider team, having a ‘can-do’ and
persistent approach to all tasks, being able to communicate strongly with clients and stakeholders
and also planning and organizing my work effectively. I strongly believe that, if I am successful
in my ambition to working for the United Nations in this role, I will be able to contribute
positively to the team and the organization to help you continually work towards achieving
your objectives.” That is very strong and positive answer. It is in-depth but it is
my belief that by creating in-depth answers you are effectively doing something different
than the majority of candidates, which is giving them ‘evidence’ of why you are
the right person for the role. The second interview question: Why do you want to work
for the United Nations? What are your reasons? In your preparation for this interview question,
I encourage you to write down FIVE REASONS why you want to work for the United Nations.
Here is my suggested answer. “I want to work for the United Nations simply because
you are an organization who shares the same passion and beliefs that I have held for many
years. Promoting international peace, strengthening action towards climate control, human rights,
the eradication of poverty and education are all objectives I want to be a part of. The
work you carry out is ongoing and requires determination, professionalism, integrity
and patience, and I would feel immensely proud to part of your organization. I understand
that to work for the United Nations there comes a huge amount of responsibility, and
I am ready for the challenge that this role will bring if you deem me to be a suitable
fit for your organization.” So that, in my view, is it provides a number of great
reasons WHY you would want to work for the United Nations. It shows that you've really
thought carefully about the reasons why. But as I say, I encourage you to write down your
own FIVE REASONS why you want to work for this incredible organization. Next interview
question: “Provide an example of when you experienced a setback at work?” This is
an example of a United Nations competency-based interview question, and we have to give them
a Specific Example; a specific scenario that you've been in when you experienced a setback
at work. Now, the important is that you had a setback, but what you did about it. You
have to be positive. You have to look at setbacks as a learning experience and, you know, use
‘determination’ and a ‘positive attitude’ to overcome the setback. Here is my answer
to this question. “When I first started work, I was part of a team whose responsibility
it was to complete and deliver an important project for a client. We all worked really
hard on the project for three months. However, when we came to deliver the project, the client
refused to pay the invoice because we had failed to deliver the exact specification
on one particular element of the project. The setback was entirely our fault. We immediately
took responsibility for the issue, put things right before resubmitting the project to the
client for reconsideration. They were then happy to pay the invoice. Whenever a setback
occurs, I always take ownership of the situation, put things right and, above all, learn lessons
from the situation so I can continually improve and develop and also prevent the same thing
from happening again.” Now, whatever response you use, that final part: “Whenever a setback
occurs, I always take ownership of a situation to put things right, learn lessons, then I
make sure I improve and develop so it doesn't happen again.” That is the important part.
In my opinion, it's a positive indicator of how you work! Okay, so that's the important
part. In my opinion, it is how you RESPOND to the setback. I have still got a large number
to run through, so please do stick around. But if you want to download my United Nations
Interview Questions and Answers guide, there is a link that has appeared in the top right
hand corner of that video. You don't have to click it yet, because I've got more questions
to run through, but don't forget: all proceeds of the sale from that guide go to UNICEF.
Next question. “Tell me how you would explain something complex or difficult to someone
who did not have the same level of knowledge as you?” I'll just quickly repeat that interview
question. “Tell me how you would explain something complex or difficult to someone
who did not have the same level of knowledge as you?” So, again, this is a competency
based interview question. Here is my answer for you. “I fully understand the importance
of communicating effectively and using a style that is conducive to your audience. On that
basis, in this type of situation, I would first of all ascertain exactly which aspect
of what it is I was trying to explain, was not being understood. I would when look to
explain it in a different manner. For example, I would cut out any jargon, simplify the text
or choice of words I was using, and also look to use relatable scenarios and situations
to clearly get the information across and understood. It would be my responsibility
to know my audience well and to bridge any knowledge gaps that were present.
As human beings, we are also better learning and absorbing from a visual perspective, so
if I could use relatable drawings or diagrams whilst communicating, I most certainly would
do. Finally, after encouraging open questions, I would make sure I confirmed and clarified
the person fully understood my message and explanations.” That's a great answer! It
shows that you are thinking outside the box and you are looking at different ways to getting
your message across and confirming by asking open questions that they do, in fact, understand
exactly what you are telling them. Next question. Describe a situation when you put the needs
of a client or a customer first? So, describe a situation when you put the needs of a client
or a customer first? Here is my suggested answer. “In my previous job I was speaking
to a customer on the telephone who needed help understanding one of our products. The
customer had limited technical ability, and so I decided to go the extra mile and help
her fully understand the product. Under normal circumstances, I was not permitted to spend
any longer than two minutes on each call. However, I saw this as an exceptional situation,
and I felt it was in the best interests of the customer that we put her needs first.
In all, it took me thirteen minutes to answer all of her questions and to make sure she
fully understood how the product worked. I understand the importance of looking after
customers and clients and to make sure I put their needs first when the situation requires
me to do so whilst working for the United Nations.” Next question of the United Nations
interview: “Explain to me how you organize and plan your workload?” Working in an organization
such as the United Nations you, in my opinion, need to be really good at organizing and planning
your workload. How do you actually do that? Here is my suggested answer. “I organize
and plan my work by following four specific steps. The first step (STEP 1) is to determine
the tasks that need my attention. During STEP 2, I will prioritize and sequence my work.
I decide which tasks are the most important, and then create a ‘to do list’ based on
the order and priority of each task. During STEP 3, I always set a definitive timescale
for completion of each task. The timescale I choose will be very much dependent on when
the client or my manager needs the task completing by. I always ensure all tasks are completed
on time and will work extra hours if needed to fulfil my obligations. Finally, STEP 4
involves me looking to remove any obstacles or distractions that may hinder me from completing
priority tasks. For example, if I have a non-urgent call or task booked in, I may move these to
make way for the more important and priority work I need to complete.” That demonstrates
that you've got a number of steps that you follow to make sure all of your work is organized
and it is planned well in advance. That shows that you are an organized person. Next question
of your United Nations interview preparation: “Describe a situation you were in when you
encouraged a team to be more proactive or positive? This is quite a difficult question.
Describe a situation you were in when you encouraged the team to be more proactive or
positive? This is another example of a competency based interview question that focuses on the
competency of TEAMWORK. Here is my suggested answer. “I really enjoy working as part
of a team, and one particular situation comes to mind where I managed to motivate a team
to get back on track to achieve our objectives. One day, I was attending a meeting that involved
lots of different internal team members, external stakeholders and clients. The meeting did
not have a specific agenda, and there was also no chairperson to control or direct the
meeting. As the meeting progressed, I felt we were drifting away from the meeting objectives
and so I decided to take ownership of the situation by encouraging everyone to be more
focused on the meeting goals. I actually offered to chair the meeting, and with everyone’s
approval, I quickly drew up a list of items we needed to discuss. I then gave everybody
the option to contribute to the discussion before making notes of the action points and
then moving on to the next agenda item. Once the meeting as completed, everyone congratulated
me for encouraging everyone to gain focus and clarity and for facilitating a more proactive
approach to the meeting.” That shows that you can TAKE OWNERSHIP of situations and encourage
everybody and say… “Look, come on, we need to be more positive. We need to be more
proactive and fulfill our obligations as a team.” If you would like to download my
full set of United Nations interview questions and answers, there’s 17 in total, click
the link in the top-right hand corner. Don't forget all the proceeds go to UNICEF. We donate
them on a quarterly basis. All the profits from this video and that guide go direct to
UNICEF. So, it is a good cause. Don't forget to LIKE the video. Thank you very much! Please
SUBSCRIBE. And if you want to connect with me on LinkedIn.com, my linked in ‘link’
is in the description below the video. I hope you have a brilliant day. Thank you very much
indeed for watching and tuning in and for subscribing to my CareerVidz channel! I wish
you the best for passing your United Nations interview! Thank you very much.