I have just 5 years experience plus masters degree; should I apply for P3 positions?
I asked myself this question four years ago! When I first thought about applying for UN international jobs! I had just accumulated five years of experience working with the UN as local staff in my home country! I had no other work experience before and started working for the UN as a UN youth volunteer coming out of university. After two years, I got a G5 for several months and then jumped to a National Officer level for almost three years.
At this stage, I was keen to apply for international positions:
I started with P1 and IUNV positions; never heard back from any of them!
Then I applied for P2. Out of seven applications, I did one interview; passed it but was not the first recommended candidate so I was put on roster!
Then I started applying for P3 jobs; and submitted eleven applications; I got invited for two interviews; I was rostered for one and selected for one! Now I am over three years doing the job!
I see a lot of people asking; here is my advice for you:
If you have more than two years’ experience, never apply for P1 but for higher posts; and if you have over five years, never apply for P2 jobs but for higher positions!
I know things can be different if you work in Finance, HR, or procurement; you can imagine in some organisations, the head of HR is a P3 so hundreds of people with over fifteen years of experience will be competing.