Network your way into the UN

Networking is a valuable skill to acquire for anyone desiring a career in international development. This is particularly true for job applicants to the United Nations. Jasmina Popin, a former consultant for the U.N. Industrial Development Organization, began her career with the U.N. in 2007. She was accepted in a three-month internship at the U.N. Development Program’s office in Bosnia and Herzegovina. But it took Popin two years from speaking with someone about the internship before landing the assignment. Unlike some, she was not intimidated with the idea of proactively approaching the global organization. “I originally come from the region, and during my visit to Bosnia in 2005, I was in Srebrenica,” Popin recalled. “I saw the UNDP office and walked inside to inquire in person about the opportunities of doing an internship once I commenced my postgraduate studies.” Popin was lucky enough to meet the program coordinator, who gave her information on the internship and his contact details. In 2006, Popin followed up with an e-mail, and fortunately the program coordinator still remembered her. She then forwarded him her academic records and a letter of motivation. Soon she was accepted as an intern. UNDP recruitment chief Michael Emery said: “A lot of people think, ‘Well, I’ve put an application in, and I’ll leave that to the recruitment gods.’ But there’s actually quite an important component of active networking so that people are aware of what you do and what your reputation is, and so that we are actually looking for your application rather than leaving it to chance.” Dos and don’ts Reputation management is an important aspect to networking. According to Emery, knowing people’s perception is very important, “because it’s going to impact on reference checks and things like that.” Applicants should also note the cross-cultural elements to networking. “What’s appropriate in some national contexts is very inappropriate in the multilateral sector,” Emery said. He cited the practice of gift giving. In many cultures, bestowing gifts is a time-honored part of doing business, but it is not accepted in the multilateral sector. Creating an event such as a round table or conference on a particular issue of interest involving experts in the field, according to Emery, provides one of the best venues for networking. But networking, he stressed, should be a continuing activity. “In reality, it’s not just about jobs — it’s about life,” Emery said. “It’s about getting to know people and their stories, whether it be the cleaner or the boss — because life is interesting.” Networking is also one way to stay on top of important issues and be familiar with the jargon and culture within the United Nations. “Another way to get into the system is to start by working with partner organizations such as NGOs, and try to network with the U.N. and find out how they work,” Popin said. If there are good ways to network, there are poor approaches to it. Sending unsolicited applications is one example of the latter. Emery sometimes gets 20 to 30 unsolicited e-mail messages a day from people he does not even know, all of whom are asking him to help them get a job at UNDP. “Generally I delete those e-mails, and nothing happens to them,” he remarked. Emery also warned about using social networking sites such as Facebook. “People have to be acutely aware of social networking Web sites and how potentially damaging they can be if they put inappropriate content up there,” he said. Looking to make a career move? Visit our career center for expert advice on how to navigate your job search - all you need is a Devex Career Account to get started.