The UN Decoded: How I landed the job being only 25
- Leda Letra
- Nov 10, 2024
- 2 min read
I never dreamed of working at the United Nations. Living in the USA was also never a dream of mine. But I always had a strong desire to leave my homeland, Brazil, and explore somewhere new—perhaps study in Europe for a while. Why not?
Then, one day in early 2008, a close friend sent me a link to a job posting at the United Nations. The position seemed impossible to achieve (it was the UN, after all!), but since applying cost me nothing, I decided to give it a try.
What really motivated me to apply was how well the job seemed to align with my experience and skills. The position was for a Production Assistant at United Nations Radio (now UN News), specifically in the Portuguese Unit. At the time, I had been working at a news radio station since college, with nearly seven years of experience under my belt—even though I was only 25.
The job required someone capable of editing audio from interviews and news stories, something I had been doing since I was 18. It also required fluency in both English and Portuguese, my native language.
After a series of rounds involving long-distance written tests and interviews, I was finally accepted! I couldn’t believe it. The entire process took nearly nine months—from the day I applied to the day I landed in New York City for the first time (more on that in a future post!).
Years later, I also successfully passed the UN Young Professional Programme (YPP), earning a well-deserved promotion. Every now and then, people reach out to me on LinkedIn, asking how to land a job at the UN. So here are some tips:
Apply for positions that truly resonate with your experience.
Tailor your Personal History Profile (PHP) for each position. Read the requirements carefully, and make sure your PHP highlights your qualifications with specific examples.
Be patient. I’ve been working with the UN and related agencies for 16 years now, and every position I secured required months of waiting. The UN is a bureaucratic organization, so expect delays and stay patient.
Stay motivated and revisit your "why." If you start feeling frustrated with the process, remind yourself why you want to work at the UN in the first place.
Keep other options open. Don’t close doors to the private sector or other organizations. Keep applying, but don’t get fixated solely on the UN—it can take years to get in.
Consider the UN Young Professionals Programme (YPP) as a potential entry point. YPP is highly competitive, so also apply to other UN jobs and positions with affiliated agencies that align with your skills.
I’d be happy to help you on this journey! I offer consultations on navigating a career at the UN, where I can evaluate your CV and provide tailored guidance. Don’t hesitate to get in touch to book an appointment!