In this episode of the Impactpool podcast, Merlijn Angad Gaur speaks with Anita Conijn, the Dutch Ambassador and National Coordinator for International Positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, about how government support actually works and how you can access it.
Why Governments Support International Careers
The support isn't just about national pride. Governments have strategic reasons for investing in their nationals' international careers. "As a government you want to support the multilateral organization by offering good quality personnel," Anita explains. "There's also the reason that you want to help your nationals because you think it's important to have contact with your nationals while they're in the organization."
It's a two-way street. International organizations value having staff who can provide context about political developments in their home countries. And for member states that pay contributions to these organizations, representation matters. "After all, you are a member state and you pay your contribution, so you should also be represented," Anita points out.
This principle of fair geographical distribution creates real opportunities. Organizations actively track representation levels and work to address imbalances, which can open doors for candidates from underrepresented countries.
What Support Actually Looks Like
Government support varies dramatically by country. Some offer comprehensive programs, while others provide minimal assistance. The Netherlands' NCIF Office (National Coordinator International Positions) represents the robust end of the spectrum, offering interview coaching, CV reviews, strategic guidance, and even intelligence on upcoming vacancies before they're publicly advertised.
Some governments track where their nationals struggle in selection processes. "We asked international organizations what are the levels of applicants from the Netherlands and then at which stage in the process will they drop out," Anita shares. One consistent finding? Pre-recorded video interviews trip up candidates across nationalities.
Beyond formal programs, many countries maintain alumni networks of current and former international civil servants who provide mentorship and insider perspectives. These informal connections often prove just as valuable as official support.
Practical Steps to Access Support
Find out what's available to you. Start by contacting your Ministry of Foreign Affairs or equivalent body. "Some people don't even know that they could ask the government," Anita notes. "So that shouldn't put you off. But it's worthwhile to check whether your government is ready to support you in this."
Different countries offer different levels of support, but you won't know until you ask. Even if formal programs don't exist, you may find individual staff members willing to provide guidance or connect you with relevant networks.
Bring excellence to the table. Government support amplifies strong applications; it doesn't rescue weak ones. "Any government would be happy to support a good candidate. So you need to be highly qualified. You have to tick all the requirements. You need to be highly motivated for the position," Anita emphasizes.
This means doing your homework before reaching out. Understand the organization's mandate, ensure you genuinely meet the requirements, and be prepared to articulate why you're pursuing this specific opportunity.
Prepare independently regardless. Even with government backing, personal preparation remains essential. "There's a lot of things that you can do yourself as well," Anita points out. "You need to be confident on the content, but also read the website of the organization, know what it is that you are applying for."
Focus particularly on the areas where candidates commonly struggle. For pre-recorded video interviews, Merlijn offers this crucial advice: "If there's one thing that you practice, practice with a timer because you just need to get used to the fact that it's within a certain amount of time."
Anita adds context: "We always say it's also a stress test. So you have to say more than there's actually time for and they want to see how you deal with that." Understanding that time pressure is intentional helps you approach these interviews strategically.
The Mindset for Success
Beyond logistics and support systems, success requires the right expectations. "Don't expect that you'll have a new job in two months. It takes time," Anita cautions. Multiple applications are normal, not a sign of failure.
Strategic focus matters more than volume. "Be clear on your focus as to what area you're applying in. I think that's also super important," Anita advises. Target positions where you're genuinely qualified and motivated rather than applying broadly.
Persistence separates successful candidates from those who give up too soon. "Sometimes it can be disheartening because you need to do multiple applications sometimes to get somewhere," Merlijn acknowledges. "But that's what I hear a lot from different people in different international organizations: keep applying, keep trying."
Even in challenging times for multilateral organizations, Anita's advice remains consistent: "I would like to say to listeners to please keep applying because times will change at some point. And the work is important. Yes, and they still need good people."
Your Action Plan
Immediate steps:
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Contact your Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inquire about support programs
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Research what other countries offer to understand what's possible
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Connect with alumni networks and professional associations in your field
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Assess your qualifications honestly against position requirements
Ongoing preparation:
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Practice pre-recorded interviews with strict time limits
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Research target organizations thoroughly, including their current priorities
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Develop competency-based interview examples using the STAR method
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Build expertise in your focus area rather than applying broadly
Long-term approach:
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Maintain persistence through multiple applications
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Treat each application as a learning opportunity
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Stay connected with government contacts and alumni networks
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Keep applying even during challenging periods for international organizations
The world of international organizations may seem opaque, but support systems exist to help qualified candidates succeed. Whether you have access to comprehensive government programs or navigate independently, understanding how the system works gives you a significant advantage. The key is knowing where to look and being willing to ask.
Want to learn more about pursuing international careers? Explore Impactpool for resources, networking opportunities, and guidance on navigating selection processes at multilateral organizations.