You finished your interview with the United Nations.
Now you’re waiting and wondering:
- When does UN contact referees?
- What is the UN reference check process?
- Does a reference check mean I got the job?
- What happens after UN interview?
Let’s break this down.
What Happens After a UN Interview?
After the interview, the process follows this order:
- Panel scoring and ranking
- Selection recommendation
- Reference checks
- Background verification
- Final approval
- Offer issuance
This stage can take 2 to 8 weeks, sometimes longer.
For full recruitment timelines, see: How Long Does UN Recruitment Take?
UN Reference Check Process
The UN reference check process is structured and formal.
Here’s how it usually works:
1. Panel Recommends Top Candidate
After interviews, candidates are scored against competency criteria.
The highest-scoring candidate(s) move forward.
2. HR Requests Referee Details
You may be asked to:
- Confirm referee contact information
- Provide updated supervisors
- Sign consent for background verification
Sometimes referees are contacted without notifying you first.
3. Referees are Contacted
UN HR often contacts:
- Current supervisor
- Former supervisor
- Sometimes a peer or direct report
Contact methods:
- Email questionnaire
- Structured form
- Telephone call
When Does UN Contact Referees?
- After interviews
- After ranking candidates
- Before final approval
In most cases, the UN contacts referees only for:
- The top candidate
- Or top 2 candidates (in close competition)
If your referees were contacted, you are very competitive. But it is NOT yet a guarantee.
What Questions Are Referees Asked?
Referees are usually asked about:
- Integrity and ethics
- Performance quality
- Teamwork and leadership
- Areas for development
- Any disciplinary issues
The UN is specially sensitive to misconduct, fraud history, sexual exploitation or abuse.
Ethical clearance is extremely important in the UN system.
UN Background Verification and Pre-Employment Checks
After references, the UN may conduct:
Employment Verification
Confirming:
- Job titles
- Duration
- Responsibilities
Academic Verification
Validating degrees and certificates.
Security Screening
Especially in:
- Field missions
- Hardship duty stations
For more on field roles, see: UN Field Jobs vs Headquarters Jobs
Does Reference Check Mean You Got the Job?
Not necessarily, but it’s a strong indicator.
General probability pattern:
- No reference check means Low chance
- Reference check means High chance
- Reference check and HR follow-up means Very high chance
However, you may still lose the role if another candidate scores slightly higher or your referee gives weak feedback.
How Long After Reference Check Does UN Respond?
Typical timeframe:
| Stage | Estimated Time |
| Reference contacted | Week 0 |
| Review completed | 1–3 weeks |
| Approval process | 2–6 weeks |
| Offer issued | 3–8+ weeks total |
This is why many candidates feel stuck in silence.
Again, full timeline explained here: See How Long Does UN Recruitment Take?
What You Should Do After Your Referees Are Contacted
- Inform your referees in advance
- Ask them to respond quickly
- Stay patient
- Do NOT email HR repeatedly
One polite follow-up after 3 to 4 weeks is acceptable.
Repeated emails may harm your professional image.
What Happens After UN Interview If You’re Not Selected?
If you’re not chosen:
- Status changes to “Not Selected”
- No detailed feedback is usually provided
- You may be placed on a roster (in some cases)
Being rostered means you are pre-cleared for future roles.
Common Mistakes During the Reference Stage
- Providing outdated referee contacts
- Not informing your current supervisor
- Choosing referees who don’t know your work well
- Assuming silence equals rejection
Choose referees who can:
- Speak about measurable results
- Confirm leadership competencies
- Reinforce your strengths discussed in interview
For interview preparation, revisit: UN Competency-Based Interview Questions
Why UN Takes Reference Checks Seriously
The UN operates globally and faces:
- Reputational risk
- Donor scrutiny
- Ethical accountability requirements
Reference checks are not just formality, they are risk management.
That’s why this stage feels slow and thorough.
Conclusion
After interview:
- Panel scoring
- Ranking
- Reference checks
- Background verification
- Approval chain
- Offer
The reference stage is one of the strongest signals of competitiveness, but final approval still takes time.
Patience is essential.
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