- Say 'I', not only 'we': Be clear about what you personally did, led and decided.
- Use a four-part story: Goal, your action, the obstacle and the result with numbers.
- Protect confidentiality: Show your impact without breaking UN non-disclosure rules.
UN culture teaches us to say 'we.' It's a kind habit, until it's your turn in an interview. Here's how to say 'I', take credit for your impact and still respect confidentiality.
Break the 'We' Habit
UN culture puts the group first, so many staff say 'we' without thinking: 'We managed the emergency response.' (It's a polite habit. It's also a problem in an interview.) A hiring manager can't hire a 'we.' They need to hear what you designed, led, negotiated or delivered.
A Four-Part Story
Build each story in about 2 minutes, in four parts:
- 1. The problem: Explain the challenge or the goal clearly.
- 2. Your action: Use strong 'I' verbs ('I designed the monitoring framework', 'I negotiated access to the region').
- 3. The obstacle: Name one real difficulty you overcame (a budget cut, a tight deadline, hard logistics).
- 4. The result: Give a clear outcome with a number, or a lasting improvement.
Confidentiality: Staff Regulation 1.2(i)
If sharing exact numbers would reveal sensitive political details, describe the scale in a safe way instead: 'I led a cross-functional team of 15 across 4 field sites and secured donor renewal for a multi-million-dollar health initiative.'
Choose your top three UN achievements. Write each one as a 2-minute story outline, using 'I' and strong action verbs.