I recently tried to monitor the hits on this blog. Not surprisingly, there are those, like me who have sat the United Nations NCRE exams out there who scour the web looking for any clues, any information they can find on that may enlighten them on the latest happening.
I have come to learn that patience is the name of the game. People say its bureaucracy, others may mistakenly believe that the United Nations may have forgotten all about them. But lets face it; they may be slow in responding but they are well aware of everything. As the 2009 NCRE exams have concluded, I thought I might share more of my tips for those candidates still waiting on word from the United Nations.
After your exams, wait patiently
After your exams go get a nice cup of coffee, relax and refocus all your energy on whatever it is that you are currently doing. Be sure to regularly check the examination page on http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/examin/ncrepage.htm to monitor the progress of the exams. The UN will almost always try to meet the deadlines it posts on this site and if it is not able to meet it, it will post an updated date. I do not know what factors force them to change dates, but changes are expected and your patience is important.
When convoked, be prepared
The successful candidates after the written exams are listed on the NCRE website and contacted at least a week later by email. In this email, the UN will send information you would need such as the date, time and venue of your interview. Included will be a file on UN Competencies, a very important document.
When convoked, do not attempt to will the UN into action by trying to contact them. It is always often met with silence. They will contact you and if you are like me, you will be assigned a very helpful contact who will assist you all the way until you arrive for your interview either in New York, Geneva or any location that they will interview you in. Sometimes, the interview may be conducted via video conference or phone; I am of the opinion that this option is often available to candidates with close proximity to a UN office and where the technology is available. I was initially convoked to Geneva but visa delays forced me to New York instead. Because my assigned contact was based in New York, I was glad to meet her in person, thank her for her hard work and she took me to the interview room.
The wait between when you are advised and when you leave can be long. I was advised of my convocation early in November of 2008 and was interviewed in January of 2009. Liaise closely with your UN contact on all issues regarding your travel. My authorization for travel and e-tickets were provided 3 days before I left for New York.
During the interview
As I have mentioned, be prepared to talk a lot about yourself. For me it was a bit of an unnerving experience because I personally find it very difficult to talk about myself. But study the UN competencies really well and try to think of real examples of where you may have applied some or all of the competencies. Stay positive, avoid flattery and be honest. Practical examples are important. At the end of my interview, we spent 15 minutes on questions about the United Nations. 4 open ended questions will be asked you may pass on only one without being penalized. I missed 2 of those 4 questions. I passed on the first, did not know the answer to the second but answered the last two questions really well.
Join the NCREFORUM
This is a yahoo group on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ncreforum, was formed in 2005 by candidates who were on the roster. The stories you read here will surely give hope; most of us are not alone. Aside from that those on this forum are quick to let others know when opportunities arise or take time to explain in great detail issues that affect candidates who have made it on the roster and are waiting for placement from the United Nations. I surely found some very inspiring stories on this forum. It’s membership is, however, only open to those who are currently on the roster. You will gain valuable insight interacting with its members who have been in this situation before.
But basically my message is, the wait can be long; quite long at times. So patience is the name of the game.
Hi LB,
It took about a month for the status to change. But of course we still do not know if this means being accepted to the exam.
I personally think that sending your application late is a disadvantage. Because close to the deadline applications starts to pile up and therefore examiners spend less time per application to look through them.
Prash like NY wrote, I also did not receive a application number just a confirmation email.
I am wondering what field has people chosen for the exam? Mine is economics and I think its a competitive field.
Thanks NY.
Good luck to everyone.
Thanks Lynnold – I figured that was the case. Prash – don’t worry about it. I have a confirmation email only, no application number. Good luck everyone!
@NCRE thanks for taking the time!
Good luck!
Simon
Hi
People who have already applied.. pls tell me whether you have received any application number or not on submission of the application??? the examination notice says that the acknowledgement email will contain it but I did not receive it. So I am just worried abt it.
I just applied to write the NCRE too. Wondering how long it took for peoples’ status to be changed to “short listed”? Thanks!!
Seems like I’ve done myself a disservice by applying later in the game, which I didn’t realize might be an issue- any thoughts on this anyone? Thanks again!
Lastly, people asking for help in how to apply or write a cover letter, figure it out by yourselves. I don’t mean to be rude but all the rest of us slogged through the confusing application process. Good luck to you but…shesh
Hi Simon,
I am not sure but as far as I remember there should be a word limit for the cover letter. But I cannot remember now how much the limit was. I think that if you exceed the limit the online system does not allow you to submit your application. I checked my application and it seems that my cover letter is about 3600 characters (approx 700 words). My advice to you would be to keep it as short as possible as reading a too long cover letter is always annoying for the examiners.
I hope this helps
Hi! I also am short listed and wondered if anyone can tell me what the percentage of short listed people get invited to take the exam is. I made a small mistake on the date I received my M.Phil and was worried this would be held against me.
Should we begin preparing the exam? Any advice for those who took it in 2009?
Hi all,
Thanks for all the interesting comments! Would anyone who has been shortlisted care to share advice on completing the online application form? In particular, I am unsure how much to write for the cover letter section. It has no word limit, but covering all the points in the list of ‘competencies’ will make a very long cover letter.
Thanks
Simon
Hi everyone,
I am also one of the 2010 candidates of the NCRE process. It is indeed great that Lynnold is giving very valuable information here and sharing his experience with the NCRE recruitment process. So “thank you” Lynnold for your help.
By the way, I saw today that my application status has changed to “short-listed” and wondered as NY and L what that actually means. My expectation is that “short-listed” is confirming that the candidate will be invited to the exam. However I suppose they wont be able to announce this before 19 September. Therefore I assume that short-listed candidates should already start working on the exams.
I wish everyone success in the exams and hope to stay in contact with this years canidiates through Lynnold’s blog.
Hi L
Thanks for additional info on the status issue.
I have a query which I think u can resolve. In the acknowledgment email that I received as a confirmation of successful submission of application, there was no application number but in the application notice, it was mentioned that the email will contain an application number. Did u receive an application number with the acknowledgment email? or by some other means? I think future announcements related to written test etc will have reference of application number but I have not received any.
bg
I totally agree! I don’t understand it at all. I keep wondering if it’s a fluke, but when I emailed them to seek clarification thinking it was a computer glitch, they reassured me that my status was correct. So, we’ll see but I keep checking regularly thinking it’s a mistake so I’m sure my file has been flagged as desperate 🙂
Hi Prash,
thanks for your answer. I just got panicked since there are already some people short-listed… I will apply…
Actually, I’ve just realized that I forgot to thank Lynnold in my last message. Thanks a lot! This is a great blog and you are indeed the unofficial world-wide ressource person for NCRE!
Good luck everyone!
Hi bg
The deadline is Sept 19, 2010 so you can still apply. As per the examination notice, the list of the applicants selected for the written test would be published around Oct 2010.
Hi everyone,
It is nice to hear that there are some other people out there with me on the same boat!
Just a question: I’m still preparing the application but how is it possible that some of you have already been shortlisted even though the applications are not closed yet?
Does it worth still for me to apply? Do I have any chances?
Hi Lynnold
This is a great site for info on NCRE. The info provided has been helpful to a large extent.
I have applied for NCRE 2010 (admin). The list of candidates selected for the written test will be published sometime in Oct and the written test is scheduled on Dec 1. I do not know whether I will be selected for the written test or not but I was wondering if candidates who have given the admin test could suggest me what books/materials should I refer to for the test.
One more thing, in the acknowledgment email confirming submission of my application, there was no mention of my application number although the examination notice said that the acknowledgment email will contain application number too. Pls advise on this.
Hi NY, just another note; I have been told that normally NCE candidates are always seriously considered for promotion to P-3 ahead of external candidates who apply through normal channels. All the best preparing for NCRE.
Thanks! I just meant that I feel I have the necessary qualifications (e.g., five years’ experience, etc.) set forth in the P-3 descriptions. However, I can absolutely see the advantages of going the P-2 road to get on a roster. We’ll see!
Hi L, Honestly the system has changed so I do not know what it means. I can try find out. Otherwise, I am hoping it means what it says. Lynnold
I see NY is in the same position as I am…what does being short-listed for the exam even mean? I learned I was short-listed a month ago yet the closing date isn’t even for another two weeks?