Standing out when applying to the World Bank and other multilaterals

In a competitive global development job market, meeting the basic role requirements is no longer enough to stand out to a recruiter. During a recent digital careers event, former World Bank senior HR specialist and career coach Roberto Amorosino shared practical insights on how professionals can differentiate themselves when applying to multilateral agencies. Organizations such as the World Bank and regional development banks continue to attract thousands of applicants for each vacancy. Many candidates meet the formal selection criteria, but Amorosino noted that recruiters look beyond technical qualifications to assess fit, motivation, and familiarity with the organization’s mission and operations. “Meeting the requirements may not be good enough,” he explained. Demonstrating that you understand the organization, including its priorities, its language, and the specific position you’re applying for, is critical. Here are a few more key takeaways from our discussion with Amorosino, from crafting tailored applications to building meaningful professional relationships. Building visibility through networking Amorosino underscored that visibility and professional engagement are more important than ever to a successful job hunt. This shouldn’t be approached as a transactional activity that one only does when they need a job, but as an ongoing process of building relationships and exchanging ideas. Illustrating how candidates should approach this, he said, “I need to demonstrate that I'm a resource, and I want to be part of the discussion, and professional engagement is very important in this respect.” For consulting opportunities, networking is often even more important, since many short-term contracts are not publicly advertised. This means engaging with colleagues, attending events, and connecting with professionals in your area of interest to gain valuable insights into unadvertised opportunities and tailor applications more effectively. “We need to be on the radar of this organization, and ideally not as candidates, but as professionals,” he said. Amorosino also encouraged professionals to approach networking as a two-way exchange. Instead of leading with requests for advice or job leads, candidates can share useful information, insights, or reflections on an organization’s work. “Talk about them, not just about you,” he said. “That’s how you demonstrate genuine interest and knowledge.” Tailored applications with proper context According to Amorisino, the most common mistake most applicants make is using the same CV or cover letter for multiple positions. “Each application should be tailored,” he said, adding that candidates should show how their experience aligns directly with the job’s key requirements. He recommended approaching the cover letter — often referred to as a statement of purpose at the World Bank — as a tool to connect an applicant’s background with the organization’s needs. Rather than focusing solely on achievements, candidates should address the job description point by point and provide examples that demonstrate relevant experience. “If I say [that] I have a strong experience with high-level contacts, stakeholder engagement, [and] I’ve done this for the last five years, this is not good enough … to stand out,” Amorisino explained. “We need bullet points to say where, when, [and] how, [with] examples [and] stories.” He also advised including a concise professional summary at the top of the CV, tailored for each application. Speaking from his experience as a recruiter, “If you are off track in the summary, I might go to the next candidate. If the summary is focused, I keep reading,” he said. Let your experience do the talking Even with a strong application, Amorosino noted that many candidates struggle to translate their written strengths into a confident, engaging interview performance. The key, he said, is storytelling — preparing specific examples that illustrate competencies and results. He also advised candidates to actively listen to interview questions and tailor their answers accordingly, rather than relying on memorized responses. “We need to talk up front about our strengths [and] we need to listen,” he said. “Some people ignore the question because they are so prepared to talk about themselves.”