20 United Nations Interview Questions and Answers

The United Nations is an international organization that works to promote peace and security around the world. The UN has a wide range of programs and initiatives, and its employees work in a variety of fields, from diplomacy and peacekeeping to humanitarian aid and environmental protection.

If you’re interested in working for the UN, you’ll need to go through a rigorous interview process. In addition to general questions about your qualifications and experience, you can expect to be asked questions specific to the UN.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample UN interview questions and answers.

United Nations Interview Process

The interview process at United Nations can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, generally speaking, the process is quite lengthy and competitive. There are usually multiple rounds of interviews, which may include a written exam, an oral exam, and/or a panel interview. The difficulty of the interviews also varies depending on the position, but they are generally quite challenging. Overall, the experience of interviewing at United Nations is very intense and demanding, but also very rewarding.

1. How would you describe the United Nations and its mission?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the United Nations and its mission. It also allows you to show how much you know about the organization by describing it in your own words. When answering this question, try to include as many facts as possible while still keeping your answer brief.

Example: “The United Nations was founded after World War II with the goal of maintaining international peace and security. The UN has six main bodies that work together to achieve this goal. These are the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, International Court of Justice and Secretariat. Each body plays an important role in achieving the UN’s mission.”

2. What do you think are some of the biggest issues facing our world today?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your knowledge about current events and how you might approach them in your role. You can use this opportunity to show that you are passionate about helping others, have an interest in global affairs or want to make a difference in the world.

Example: “I think one of the biggest issues facing our world today is hunger. There are still millions of people who don’t have access to food, which means they aren’t getting the nutrition they need to live healthy lives. I would love to work for the UN because it seems like such an important organization that could do so much good by addressing this issue.”

3. Tell me about a time where you had to work with people from different backgrounds and cultures, how did you handle it?

The United Nations is a global organization that works with people from all over the world. Employers ask this question to make sure you can work well with others and understand different cultures. Use your answer to show them that you are open-minded and willing to learn about other people’s backgrounds.

Example: “I once worked at an international company where I had to communicate with our foreign clients on a daily basis. It was important for me to be respectful of their culture while also making sure they understood my instructions. I learned how to use body language and gestures to help bridge the communication gap between us. This helped me build strong relationships with many of our foreign clients.”

4. Why should we hire you over other applicants?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your unique skills and abilities that make you an ideal candidate for the role.

Example: “I believe I am the best choice for this position because of my extensive knowledge of international affairs. Throughout my career as a foreign policy advisor, I have worked with many different countries on issues such as trade agreements and environmental concerns. This experience has given me valuable insight into what works in these situations and what doesn’t. I also understand the importance of diplomacy when working within the United Nations.”

5. When was a time that you disagreed with your boss but still respected them?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you work with others and your ability to collaborate. It also helps them determine if you would be able to work in a team environment at the United Nations. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to respectfully disagree with authority while still maintaining respect for them.

Example: “In my last position as an assistant manager, I disagreed with my boss’s decision to promote one of our salespeople to lead salesperson. However, I respected her decision because she had more experience than me and knew what was best for the company. Instead, I asked her why she made this decision so I could learn from it and apply it to future decisions.”

6. What is your experience with project management?

The United Nations is a large organization with many projects and initiatives. Your interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience managing projects in the past. Use your answer to highlight your skills, such as time management, communication and leadership.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for leading a team of five people who worked on various projects throughout the day. One of our main responsibilities was creating weekly reports that outlined our progress on each project. We also had monthly meetings where we discussed our goals and objectives. These meetings helped us stay organized and motivated.”

7. Describe a time when you were in charge of several projects at once.

This question can help interviewers understand how you manage your time and prioritize tasks. In your answer, explain a situation in which you had to balance multiple projects at once and how you managed them successfully.

Example: “In my current role as an event planner, I am often responsible for coordinating several events at the same time. For example, last month I was planning two large corporate events on the same day. One of the events required me to plan a dinner while the other needed me to arrange a keynote speech. To ensure that both events went smoothly, I delegated some responsibilities to my team members so we could all work together to make sure everything was ready by the deadline.”

8. Can you tell us about an administrative project or assignment that you have worked on?

Administrative work is a large part of working at the United Nations. The interviewer wants to know that you have experience with administrative tasks and can complete them efficiently. Use your answer to highlight your organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.

Example: “In my last role as an international relations specialist, I was responsible for organizing all of our department’s documents and files. This included scanning important documents into digital format so they could be stored in the company’s database. I also created filing systems for each employee based on their job title. For example, I organized all of the marketing materials by client and then by campaign. This helped streamline communication within the department.”

9. Give me an example of a time when you had to make a difficult decision.

This question can help interviewers understand how you make decisions and the thought process behind them. This is an opportunity to show your critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities and leadership qualities.

Example: “When I was working as a project manager for my previous company, we had a client who wanted us to complete their website in two weeks. We were already working on other projects at the time, so this would have been difficult to do without sacrificing quality. I spoke with the client about our schedule and explained that it might take longer than expected. They agreed to wait until we could get to their project.

I then met with my team to discuss what we could do to meet the deadline while still maintaining quality. We decided to work overtime during the week of the project and hire freelancers to help us out. It took us three weeks to complete the project, but we did it well within the client’s expectations.”

10. Have you ever worked for an organization whose purpose was global?

This question is a great way to see if you have experience working for an organization that has global impact. It also shows the interviewer how passionate you are about making the world a better place. If you haven’t worked for such an organization, you can talk about your personal goals and ambitions to make a positive change in the world.

Example: “I’ve always wanted to work for an organization whose purpose was global. I believe we all have the power to make the world a better place, and I’m ready to do my part. In my last job as a marketing manager, I helped create a campaign that raised awareness of child trafficking. The company donated 10% of its profits to organizations that help children who were victims of human trafficking.”

11. Do you speak any foreign languages?

The United Nations is a global organization that requires its employees to be able to communicate with people from all over the world. The interviewer may ask this question to determine whether you have any foreign language skills and how proficient you are in them. If you speak another language, let the interviewer know which one and mention some of your abilities in it.

Example: “I am fluent in Spanish, although I can also understand French and Italian. My parents insisted on us learning a second language when we were younger, so my siblings and I learned Spanish as children. We took classes for five years before taking an exam to get our certification.”

12. What is one goal you have set for yourself recently?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand what motivates you. It also helps them see how your goals align with those of the United Nations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to choose a goal that is relevant to the position you are applying for or one that shows your interest in working for the UN.

Example: “One goal I have set for myself recently is to learn more about the different cultures around the world. I am taking an online course on international relations so that I can better understand the issues facing other countries. This knowledge will allow me to work more effectively with people from all over the globe.”

13. How well do you work under pressure?

The United Nations is a highly political organization that often deals with urgent situations. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle pressure and work well under it. In your answer, explain how you manage stress and stay productive when the stakes are high. Show them that you have what it takes to succeed in this role.

Example: “I am someone who thrives under pressure. I know that sometimes there’s no time for mistakes, so I always prepare as much as possible before any situation. When I’m working on something important, I take my time and double-check everything. This helps me avoid making costly errors. It also allows me to be more confident in my work because I know I’ve done everything I can to ensure its quality.”

14. If hired, what types of projects would you be interested in working on?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interests and goals. It’s also an opportunity for you to show that you’ve done some research on what the United Nations does. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention two or three projects that you’re passionate about.

Example: “I’m very interested in working with refugees around the world. I think it would be amazing to help people who are struggling find safety and stability. Another area of interest for me is environmental conservation. I feel like there are so many ways we can work together to protect our planet. I’d love to see how the United Nations works with other countries to reduce carbon emissions.”

15. Would you say you are good at conflict resolution?

This question is a great way to determine how you handle interpersonal conflicts. The United Nations deals with many different countries and cultures, so it’s important that the candidate can work well with others. A good answer would be one that shows your ability to compromise and find solutions to problems.

Example: “I have always been someone who enjoys solving problems. I think conflict resolution is an important skill because it helps people understand each other better. In my last position, I had to deal with two coworkers who were having a disagreement. One of them was upset about something the other coworker did, but they didn’t want to talk about it. I talked to both of them separately and found out what happened. Then, we all met up together and discussed the issue. They ended up resolving their problem and became friends again.”

16. What kind of relationships do you typically build with coworkers?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you interact with others. This can be an important factor in determining whether or not you would fit into the United Nations work environment. Try to answer honestly, but also try to highlight any specific skills that helped you build positive relationships with coworkers.

Example: “I believe it’s important to get to know my coworkers as much as possible. I make a point of asking questions and actively listening to their answers. I find that by taking the time to get to know people on a personal level, we’re able to form stronger working relationships. In my last role, I made sure to speak with everyone at least once a week. I found that many people were willing to share some interesting facts about themselves when I asked them questions.”

17. The United Nation’s main goal is to help those affected by humanitarian crises. What do you think is the best way to achieve this?

The United Nations is a global organization that aims to help those in need. This question helps the interviewer understand your thoughts on how best to achieve this goal and what you would do if you were hired for the role. Use examples from your experience or explain why you think it’s important to focus on helping others.

Example: “I believe the best way to help people affected by humanitarian crises is through collaboration. I have seen first-hand how working together can make a huge difference, especially when there are so many different countries involved. In my last position, we worked with other organizations to create a plan of action for an upcoming crisis. We all had different ideas about how to handle the situation, but after some discussion, we came up with a solution that benefited everyone.”

18. The UN has been criticized in the past for lack of transparency. What can they do to improve their image?

The United Nations has been criticized in the past for lack of transparency. This question is a way to test your knowledge about how they can improve their image and reputation. In your answer, explain what you think would be an effective way to increase transparency within the organization.

Example: “I believe that one of the best ways to improve transparency at the UN is by making sure all documents are available online. If people have access to this information, it will help them understand more about what the UN does and why. I also think that having open meetings with the public could help as well. It’s important to hear from those who are affected by the decisions made by the UN.”

19. Are there any areas of international relations that interest you more than others?

This question can help the interviewer determine if your interests align with the job description. It also helps them understand what you might be passionate about and how that passion could benefit their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific area of international relations and why you find it interesting.

Example: “I am particularly interested in conflict resolution because I think it’s important to try to resolve issues peacefully before they escalate into something more serious. In my last role as an ambassador for peace, I helped organize several events where people from different backgrounds were able to meet one another and discuss their differences. This led to many productive conversations and even some friendships.”

20. Tell us why you want to work at the United Nations.

This question is a great way for an interviewer to learn more about your interest in the United Nations and how you can contribute to their team. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you have done research on the organization and understand what they do. You should also mention why you are passionate about the work they do.

Example: “I want to work at the United Nations because I am passionate about international relations. I believe that we need to find ways to peacefully resolve conflicts between countries so that everyone has access to food, water and shelter. The United Nations provides a forum where countries can come together to discuss these issues and hopefully find solutions. I would love to be part of an organization that makes the world a better place.”