Forum cinfo – pp (copy)

More than 50 organisations are there for you: NGOs, UN organisations, international financial institutions, government actors, foundations, training and further education institutions. HR and line managers can provide you with individual advice and answer your questions.

The full list of exhibitors will be published soon.

The path into international cooperation is rarely linear. But there are recurring patterns and small steps can have a big impact. Scott Breslin reveals some surprising facts and trends that can make the difference when you are starting your career in IC.

Uncertainty has become the rule rather than the exception in international cooperation. Pierre Krähenbühl (UNRWA), the most senior Swiss in the UN system, and Astrid van Genderen Stort (UNHCR), provide insights into the implications of highly fragile contexts on managing teams, programmes and organisations.

Have you ever read a job description and wondered whether you have the right profile to apply? HR representatives will tell you how to read their current vacancy announcements and provide you with specific insights about the positions and the needs of their organisation. This will help you to assess the fit between your profile and the job descriptions. And if it’s a good fit, you have the chance to present yourself to the HR specialists on-site. 

You will find the job descriptions online (a few days before the event), on posters during this session and at the organisations’ booths.

How are applications screened and how can you improve the chance of your application being noticed by a recruiter? What are some common mistakes to avoid? And how and where does an organisation find the best talent? 

This panel discussion lets you into the mind of a recruiter. Recruitment specialists and HR directors speak about their processes and the latest trends in IC recruitment, providing you with tips on how to get the job you want.

Volunteering – internship – junior staff – senior staff. Most people think this is the way to go in IC. But there are other ways. You can also build your career with international organisations by starting off with consultancies.

Learn more about consultancies through a research presentation, meetings with consultants and useful tips.

Entry level positions with the UN and IFIs are rare. However, they do exist! And some are even reserved for Swiss nationals. What are these positions? What are the prerequisites? How can you apply? How have former participants taken advantage of this unique opportunity and what are they doing today? 

cinfo presents the Swiss Young Professional Programmes for people under the age of 33 (JPO – Junior Professional Officers) and 29 (UN Youth Volunteers).

We rarely take the time to reflect deeply on our career: To what extent do we shape it? To what extent do others shape it? What drives us and what are our guiding principles? How close are we to fulfilling our career aspirations?

This workshop guides you towards such questions and helps you to start exploring answers.

More details will be available soon.

Imagine you have contacted the HR manager of an organisation you would love to work with. They have seen your CV and signalled interest in your profile. And then you bump into them in the elevator when visiting the organisation’s headquarters. This is your opportunity to leave a lasting impression: you need to shine by highlighting your relevant experience and background without boasting or rehashing clichés.

In this session, you have 5 minutes to pitch yourself to an HR specialist from the UN or an IFI, answer a couple of targeted questions and make a lasting impression without overdoing it. Come prepared!

Interested in the speed meetings? Please note that there is a limited number of places. Interested persons will have to pre-register in September/October with their CVs and a selection will be made.