How to start an application that attracts employer notice

1. session - 5
Application Procedure
and Meeting the Criteria Md S Rahman
sdq3677@yahoo.com

2. introduction
UN posts job openings electronically on career.un.org
Accepts applications electronically only

3. 3
Aim
……. is to orient you with the steps
and the criteria those are followed
in the application process

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What will you learn in this session?
a. What are the stages of application?
b. How the criteria are matched with your
qualification?
c. How much time is required in the whole
process?
scope

5. Application process

6. Steps of application
All applications undergo the first five steps; the sixth step
is for candidates who all are short-listed for the position

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Log on to ‘careers.un.org’
Alternatively –
‘inspira.un.org’
Step1: Search for job openings
Search actively for job openings and apply
directly
or
Create a Job Alert by specifying your search
criteria and receive email as and when some
job opening suits your critera

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Step1: Search for job openings
Most job openings are position specific. These
are included when:
A new position is established or an existing
position is reclassified upwards;
The incumbent separates from service,
The incumbent is selected for other functions
or as a result of a lateral reassignment by the
Head of Department/Office.
Generic job openings are used to create roster
and recognized by the text "This Job Opening is
for roster purposes"

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inspira.un.org
Step2: register andlogin to inspira

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Name
Date of
Birth
registration

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Step3: my profile
Includes important
personal
information
Name
Address
Phone Number
Used for making contact during
selection process
Can be edited later except name and
DOB
Changes are applied automatically to
all applications
Details later

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Step4: complete the application
Needs to be prepared online
No attached CV/resume are accepted
Can be prepared directly against any
announced vacancy
Can be prepared as draft against any
preferred job family
Can be modified/updated anytime
before submission
Details later

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Step5: submit the application
Two ways …..
Against any vacancy announcement

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Step5: submit the application
Two ways …..
Linking a draft application with a specific
vacancy announcement

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Should be submitted not later than
deadline date (GMT-5)
Acknowledgement of successful
submission by email
All application are saved with corresponding
status mark
Applied
Under Consideration
Rostered
Withdrawn
Job Cancelled
Step5: submit the application

16. Application Tips

17. Application Tips
Covering Letter
Personal introduction to describe how
experience, qualifications and competencies
match the job
An opportunity to distinguish from other job
seekers
Should be brief, three to four paragraphs, and as
targeted as possible to the position
Focus on the most relevant parts of your
background
Customizing the cover letter to demonstrate that
you have clearly understood the job opening

18. Application Tips
Be Concise
Use small digestible information
Use action verbs
Avoid passive sentence constructions
Avoid clichés
Make the most of your experience
List the accomplishment to have an idea of what
you can do for us
Don't be vague, be honest

19. Application Tips
Target
Be specific
In case of more than one job opening, customize
your application accordingly
Customize covering letter for each application

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Step6: assessment and interview
Short listed candidates are invited for an
assessment
May be written exercise, case study, presentation,
simulation exercise, technical test, situational
judgement test
Details later
Assessmen
t

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Step6: assessment and interview
Candidates are further short listed against
qualification and assessment result
Conducted via telephone, video conference or in
person
Details later
Interview

22. Selection criteria

23. Selection criteria
Stems from the requirements stated in the job
opening or from the minimum organizational
standard
Qualifications marked as ‘Required’ are
mandatory - unqualified candidates are
screened out
Qualifications marked as ‘Desirable’ are
advantages - unqualified candidates will
still be considered
Evaluation

24. Selection criteria
Required years of experience
Evaluation Criteria consists of ……
Required field of work or areas of specialty
Required educational qualification including
licenses and certificates
Required knowledge of languages
Assessments
Assessment methods are determined
at the time of job opening
Usually two methods are used
Senior position may require additional
test

25. Selection criteria
Age
18 to 62 years
Candidates over 62 years may be reviewed in
certain cases
Candidates are required to indicate whether he/she
has been arrested, indicted or summoned in a court
as a defendant in a criminal proceeding, or
convicted, fined or imprisoned
Pre-screening
Criminal Records
???

26. Selection criteria
Family Relationship
A person parents, children, sibling including
step relationship to a staff member will not be
recruited.
Applicable to same organization only
A spouse may be appointed provided
Fully qualified for the post;
Not assigned to serve in a post which is superior or
subordinate in the line of authority;
None of the two participates in the process of reaching or
reviewing an administrative decision affecting the status
or entitlements.
Pre-screening

27. Selection criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Academic qualification
Knowledge on Language
Level of Job-specific Expertise
Either ‘Fluency in’ or Knowledge of’ is stated
‘Fluency’ equals fluent in all 4 areas (speak,
read, write, understand)
‘Knowledge of’ equals ‘Confident’ in any of the
two categories.
Applicant to carry out a self assessment
Each higher level implies control of the
previous level’s functions and accuracy

28. Selection criteria
Eligibility Criteria
UNV
Current or Former Consultants, Interns and
Contractors
Can apply in a different mission after completing at
least 12 months service
Needs to wait for 06 months if not completed 12
months
Can apply after 6 months of separation as a
external applicant
Exception for those who passed YPP or UN
Language Competitive Examination

29. Selection criteria
Reference Check
Appointment is subjected to complete verification
of education and employment
In case of objection, no reference check will be
done except before final selection
In case of inclusion in roster, no reference check
will be done except before final selection
Academic qualifications from accredited
universities or institutions are considered eligible
Employment verification is done from employer

30. Time schedule

31. Time schedule
Key Factors
Advertisement
Depends on the nature of the
recruitment, the different agencies etc
Time frame: 2 weeks to many months
Long Listing
Formal requirements for a job are
checked
Time frame: Few days to several weeks

32. Time schedule
Key Factors
Short Listing
Written Test
On line test all over the world
Time frame: Few days to several weeks
To ensure that the most suitable
candidates are invited for a written test
Applicants are compared against each
other in terms of their qualification and
experience
Done by a panel of staff to ensure
fairness
Time frame: One week to many weeks

33. Time schedule
Key Factors
Interview
Written Test
On line test all over the world
Time frame: Few days to several weeks
To ensure that the most suitable
candidates are invited for a written test
Applicants are compared against each
other in terms of their qualification and
experience
Done by a panel of staff to ensure
fairness
Time frame: One week to many weeks

34. Time schedule
Key Factors
Post
Interview
Processing
Contacting
Preferred candidate is offered job
Time frame: Few hours to several
weeks
Decision based on test results and
interviews
Documentations are completed
independent review to make sure that
the process was transparent and fair
The offer is produced and signed
Time frame: One week to several
months

35. It takes time
Be patient and continue Keep
applying
Why?????

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