37 tips to make your application a success! Part 1
A resume template for an International Organization looks different compared to a private sector application template. When applying for the UN it is important to include all your experiences, starting at your earliest year of your career although these experiences no longer have relevance for the job you apply for. In this article we focus on 37 tips that makes your next application the best you have ever made. We start with the cover letter, we continue with format tips and end with what kind of experience you always should highlight in any application to an International Organization.
Cover letter
1. What is the optimal length of a cover letter?
Keep the length within one page, preferably half a page. Make your statement short and to the point. I never read long cover letters, if the cover letter is too long I start with the application and first if the applicant meets requirements I return to the cover letter.
2. Structure the cover letter in a clear and logical way
The order of provided information may be different, but a good cover letter for an application to an International Organization should include the following content:
- Introduction, where you express the interest in the job, a smart start is to list the requirement and highlight that you meet them all: — Into the role of Director Administration, I bring 20 years’ extensive experience of leading large teams across the globe…”
- Pitch and motivation — highlight the three main reasons why you are the candidate for the job, use the T-table structure to identify what three reasons you should select.
- Save the summary of your background, education, professional experience, skills and competencies to the resume/P11/PHP or what the application form may be called;
3. Show your personality in the Pitch and motivation statement and make the reader remember you
When applying for a value driven organization, don’t forget to have your value proposition shining out in your pitch and motivation. Make sure that when you study what you have written that it is clear that you respond to the question — “Why am I applying to work for [Organization X]?”
Read more about writing a successful application!
Originally published at impactpool.org
