Why Your CV is Getting Rejected by UN Agencies: 5 Common Mistakes
1. You Are Using a “Fancy” Design
UN agencies (and their Inspira system) hate columns, graphics, and photos. They want simple, boring text. If your CV has a photo or a colorful sidebar, the ATS scanner cannot read it.
The Fix
Use a standard, single-column Word document layout. Remove your photo. Use standard headings like “Education” and “Experience.”
2. You Ignore the “Core Competencies”
The UN operates on values. Every job description lists specific competencies like “Integrity,” “Professionalism,” and “Respect for Diversity.” If these words are not in your CV, you are invisible.
3. Listing Duties Instead of Impact
Recruiters do not care what you were “responsible for.” They care about what you achieved.
The “XYZ” Formula
Don’t say: “Responsible for managing the budget.”
Do say: “Managed a budget of $50,000 (X) and reduced costs by 15% (Y) by negotiating with new suppliers (Z).”
4. Spelling and Grammar Errors
The UN requires “fluency” in English. A single typo in your CV signals a “lack of attention to detail” (which is a core competency). Zero tolerance.
5. Not Tailoring Your CV
Sending the same CV to UNICEF, WFP, and UNDP is a guaranteed way to fail. Each agency has a different focus. You must change your “Professional Summary” for every single application.
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