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CV guidelines
The OECD has 30 member countries, and there are probably just as many if not more ways of presenting and describing one's experience in a CV: some cultures are very direct, some are more modest than others, some give many details, some hardly give any... OECD HR staff do not make judgments on these different approaches and do not require that a particular model be adopted. However, in order to facilitate the evaluation of your application, we provide the following guidelines intended to help you to present your qualifications and experience in a short and concise way:
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One to three pages should be sufficient to succinctly put forward your qualifications and experience relevant to the job to which you are applying.
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It is not always absolutely necessary that your qualifications and experience correspond to every single criterion. It should however correspond to most key criteria.
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Make sure that your CV addresses the requirements outlined in the job vacancy announcement.
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Avoid simply listing the title of your job or the type of responsibility. In different countries or different companies, the same title can signify vastly different types of responsibilities. Tell us what you did and what you achieved.
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Also, tell us why you are particularly motivated for this post at the OECD. A cover letter should be part of your CV.
Shortlisted candidates
Interviews: what to expect and how to prepare
Whether in a face-to-face interview at our headquarters in Paris or by video-conferencing, you will be seen by a recruitment panel, typically composed of the hiring manager, a human resources representative, as well as one or two persons from another sector of the hiring Directorate or even of the Organisation. We aim at gender and geographically diversified panels.
Generally, the interview lasts 45-60 minutes and covers the knowledge and competencies needed in the job through a number of questions, often starting with an overview question on your background.
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Make sure you know your strengths and weaknesses.
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Participate by asking thoughtful questions about the position for which you are being interviewed. You will normally be given some time at the end of the interview to ask questions.
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You may wish to practice the interview.
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Use concrete terms and specific examples from your experience to illustrate your points, your role (in a project, a team...), your achievements, etc., especially when answering behaviour-based questions.
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Try to link your qualifications to the requirements of the position: explain how your experience is relevant in the context of an international organisation and the specific job you are applying for at the OECD.
When you receive confirmation of the interview appointment, you will also receive some practical information and an invitation to set up an appointment with the HRM Staff Service Centre. They can give you detailed information on the terms and conditions of service in the Organisation, expatriate life in Paris, etc.. Your panel interview will focus on assessing your knowledge and competencies for the targeted post and not on these matters.
Tests
For certain positions, candidates may be asked to sit a written test as part of the selection process. Tests may be designed as case studies, essays or mathematical and econometrical exercises etc., depending on the position.
They may be done as a preliminary exercise by email or in conjunction with panel interviews in Paris.
Contact points
If you still have questions or a problem, please e-mail the Recruitment team at HRM.eRecruit@oecd.org.
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