How can one get accepted in an International Organization?

[Gollywog]

I want to work in an International Organization. Sino dito ang nagtratrabaho sa UN, IMF, Worldbank, ADB, Asean, etc.? Anong mga usual requirements sa pag-apply? Kailangan ba may Masters? Share niyo naman experiences ninyo sa pag-aaply at kung ano ang working environment sa mga ganitong organizations.

[Ice Burn]

I am currently working in the Worldbank as a JPA. If you are under 29 and graduated at the top 10% of your class, you can apply for this position. for more information, you can check out and apply through this link: http://lnweb28.worldbank.org/hrs/careers.nsf/key/jpa (incidentally, other job openings are also posted here.)

To answer your question, most people here have at least 1 Master's degree and several years experience. Though my position does requires a bachelor's degree, most of the JPA's have master's degrees and some are even finishing PhD's. The position is very competitive, there are over 200,000++ applicants per year and they only get 200 for the head office and 30 for the country offices. Currently, 3 kaming Filipino JPA's.

I'm relatively new here but I can say that the work environment in the Worldbank is great. It's a very diverse environment and there are so many opportunities for learning. I feel that is is more relaxed compared to my previous jobs in the past. And thanks to the emphasis on Work-life balance, for working an extra hour everyday, I get every 2 Fridays off aside from the weekends. Salary-wise, for my position, well it's ok considering it's tax-free but the benefits are great.

But of course there's the usual bureaucracy and office politics but that can't be helped...

In applying: Everything is done online but don't really expect anything since there are so many applicants. I myself applied July last year and only got an email at the end of January this year. It really depends if a manager takes interest in your profile. Then when you get accepted, security clearance takes a long time. In fact mine took 10 weeks. After your clearance, they send the necessary papers, then you get your G4 visa and you're ready to begin your job.

My advice is to get a Master's degree and have work experience. But you can always apply and just keep on updating your profile, you never know if some manager does take interest in your profile. Don't expect anything since like I said earlier, there are so many applicants and it all depends if a manager takes interest in your profile. And pray, it does work. :)

So I hope I enlightened you a bit. Good luck!

[Gollywog]

thanks Ice Burn. Mag-aaply na rin ako baka sakaling makapasok.

[moira]

ADB usually posts career opportunities available in their organization over at their website at www.adb.org. They usually ask for at least 3 years worth of work experience on all otheir ads for filipino staff positions.

[phantom]

There are many international organizations based in the Philippines, e.g., ADB, WB, IRRI, IIRR, CARE, and some UN organizations. There also development organizations (mostly bi-lateral) attached to embassies, e.g., USAID, AUSAid, DANIDA, SIDA, CIDA, etc.

Remember though that working in an international organization in the Phil. doesn't necessarily mean you're an international hire. In terms of qualifications and remunerations, the difference between a local hire and an international hire is like day and night. :) Still, it'll be a great experience for anyone in terms of honing skills and being exposed to a different work environment/ethic, among other things.

Those who get hired internationally (I'm referring to the professional level) have graduate degrees and years of solid work experience (plus maybe some publications, depending on the job) to brag about. Even to become an International UN Volunteer requires a minimum of 2-4 years experience.

Don't get discouraged. we all have to start somewhere. Start polishing that resume and apply. :)

Some UN organizations, btw, have also JAPs.

[golfer_guy]

how about those working at embassies?

[phantom]

Here's an opportunity to work in an international organization. Check this out:

http://www.undp.org.ph/dssc/jobs/showjob.asp?id=58

Deadline is Jul 26th.

[Ice Burn]

bumping this up...

[ice-princess]

Hi TherE!

Im an Asian Studies graduate and got stuck na sa business coz im not a filipino citizen --> sucks coz I was born here anyway. Niways, I'd really like to practice my course. Want to go into international orgs that can actually appreciate the stuff I learned. Understand this is a pretty old thread, pero maybe if someone out there is nice enough to help :) Just graduated March 2004 --> top of my major and 4th in the entire batch. ANybody who can help? Thanks super. I applied na with ADB and WB pero so far no luck...

Thanks

[cjr]

Hi TherE!

Im an Asian Studies graduate and got stuck na sa business coz im not a filipino citizen --> sucks coz I was born here anyway. Niways, I'd really like to practice my course. Want to go into international orgs that can actually appreciate the stuff I learned. Understand this is a pretty old thread, pero maybe if someone out there is nice enough to help :) Just graduated March 2004 --> top of my major and 4th in the entire batch. ANybody who can help? Thanks super. I applied na with ADB and WB pero so far no luck...

Thanks

support positions in ADB are only for filipino citizens.

[masterjedi]

just wanna ask, pwede ba magapply ang isang fresh grad in an international org?u know, greenhorn and inexperience...

[rangerman79_91]

......pwede ba magapply ang isang fresh grad in an international org?....

Anybody can apply for any job anywhere. To be deemed employable and qualified is a different story.
To submit an application and to pursue a job is your freedom of choice but to be accepted by the employer is a privilege! ;)

[yOgurtgaL]

hi! i just wanna ask esp. to those who are
working at an int'l/dev't org;
is it alright to pass cvs to hr or admin of a
certain int'l/dev't org at any period of time?
(given that they do not publish hiring period)

also, what sort of exams should i expect
prior upon employment? coz i am aware that
the process varies from one agency to another

i hope someone there would enlighten me
re this concerns

thanks

[Ice Burn]

^^The World Bank does not accept unsolicited CV's...trust me on this. You need to apply for specific openings.

For openings, go to www.worldbank.org/jobs

[yOgurtgaL]

thanks for the info ^_^

[caryatid_kitten]

Would anyone know if UNESCO has an office here in Manila?!

[yOgurtgaL]

unesco office is in dfa, why do you ask? do you have plans of applying there?

[Karasu]

Waahh!! I wanna work at an Int'l org.... I'll probably finish law first, get work experience and then start applying at these orgs like my life depended on it...

:D

Ok let's see.... top 10% of my class.... err.. probably not... umm... a Master's degree...err... I'm not too sure about that (my mom is bugging me to pursue a Master's degree but I got traumatized by thesis writing o_O)...so that about leaves me my..err... unique and bubbly personality...?

[Blue Zoo]

If you're willing to work in a secretarial/logistical (i.e. janitor) position, you probably don't need to meet their HR requirements.

Otherwise, top international organizations usually only take those with the highest scholastic achievement and/or exemplary work record. It's no joke getting into an international org and many people work years in order to get the right credentials.

Embassies usually take people who can pass their service exam with flying colors. Study like hell for these exams though as they are not easy.

I remember one question clearly in the US service exam where I was shown a map of the world with country borders but no names. They pointed to one country in Africa and I thought they were going to ask what country that was (relatively easy).

They didn't. They asked me what that country's third largest export product was. There were many other questions like this and that was just geography. Mathematics, physics, language, etc. are all included and you are expected to have that same depth of knowledge. Small wonder that people study for a year or two before taking service exams.

Oh but there is one more way in and it is far easier. If you know someone with tenure in a consulate or international diplomatic organization, they can usually refer you in if there's a position open.

[blackdragon]

Oh but there is one more way in and it is far easier. If you know someone with tenure in a consulate or international diplomatic organization, they can usually refer you in if there's a position open.[/QUOTE]

this is true. my grandfather worked for the us peace corp, referred my dad. that's also where my dad met my mom. that was 20 years ago. i'm not sure if this still works, but i'll try to apply when i'm already in my 30's, because most of the employees in the us embassy are already in the 30-50 age range :rotflmao: and i'm still enjoying hr life in call centers

[blackdragon]

Oh but there is one more way in and it is far easier. If you know someone with tenure in a consulate or international diplomatic organization, they can usually refer you in if there's a position open.[/QUOTE]

this is true. my grandfather worked for the us peace corp, referred my dad. that's also where my dad met my mom. that was 20 years ago. i'm not sure if this still works, but i'll try to apply when i'm already in my 30's, because most of the employees in the us embassy are already in the 30-50 age range :rotflmao: and i'm still enjoying hr life in call centers

[zareka]

hi. im thinking of applying at the world bank's philippine office as team assistant. would anyone know the pay for such a position? comments on the work environment will also be very helpful.

thanks!

[fatbig]

bump bump bump

[vogriphach]

do any of these international organizations have internship programs (2 months) for undergraduates (i.e. Juniors during the summer) ?