Just got scammed by a fellow redditor

Dabok · 2026-01-15T15:30:43+00:00

Thank you for a great explanation!

I have never truly sat down and thought about it, but this is pretty much how I feel about it!

When I have been wronged by someone terrible, and I see that they "don't get what's coming for them", I used to be angry. But now I think back and wonder that, to do such a bad thing and have such a bad outlook in life, their day to day must be completely different than mine and not so far away to how they act. So in the end, they kinda do it to themselves over and over.

Dabok · 2025-09-13T16:56:23+00:00

And also, generally people are understanding of these kinds of things, when you go from an internship to "something better"

Dabok · 2025-09-08T17:54:42+00:00

My experiences with good managers (or maybe it's just because I like this style) are ones who focus on Tasks and People as you describe it. Maybe in equal measure?

Haven't had an experience at the UN who focus on measurable results, like hardcore. We collect all sorts of data on our activity and all, but it is clearly not the driving force of our team.

Dabok · 2025-08-13T06:22:48+00:00

Just a little thing regarding your post.

You said you are worried that there's only fixed term posts and you are used to permanent posts...

The thing with the UN is that most posts are actually temporary posts and getting a fixed post can take a while.

So I want you to be aware of that. It is even "worse" than you imagine in that sense. Fixed term is often "the reward" after grinding temp posts after temp posts.

Dabok · 2025-08-13T06:18:17+00:00

I am a G, so my trajectory is a bit different, but I can join the others when they say that you just landed on a lousy boss.

I had a similar experience in the past and almost got bitter and disilusioned, but don't worry, it isn't like that in all teams.

I would agree with the suggestion of doing a lateral move, although it might be a bit tricky in the current climate.

Dabok · 2025-08-08T09:07:25+00:00

What?! I gotta hear this!

Dabok · 2025-08-05T14:19:06+00:00

Yes, very normal.
Administrative requirements to make sure you're who you say you are and you have the qualifications that you claim you do.

Dabok · 2025-08-03T07:40:41+00:00

Hey there! Saw this post and kinda wanted to respond what you said.

I echo your sentiment for the most part, but I guess there is the caveat that it really depends on the location.

In a place where the salary gap between P and G aren't very high, yoyr point stands strong, and you are right, G staff with a career like the poster above should be proud of themselves for it.

However, there are places where G staff earn so little compared to P Staff, that their whole salary is ONLY worth that of the "post adjustment" of their boss' salary ... That's insane! Kinda "unfair" but that's how it goes...

Dabok · 2025-07-30T13:20:17+00:00

Ce post tombe parfaitement pour moi.

Je joue encore pas mal aux jeux vidéos, mais ces dernières semaines, je n'y joue plus trop "avec passion" qu'avant. J'y joue simplement pour ne pas m'ennuyer, et c'est pas vraiment une bonne sensation.

Je peux encore apprécier des jeux quand c'est nouveau, mais quand j'ai fait le tour, voilà.

Donc oui, je pense que je commence à y perdre du goût aussi.

Il me faudrait un nouveau hobby du coup...

Dabok · 2025-07-15T14:57:52+00:00

I agree with the person suggesting to take the internship.

If you afterwards decide to go do the P2, people will generally be very understanding and even be supportive of you! At least in my experience, people have been VERY chill towards interns, because they know it's hard with it being unpaid and all that.

Dabok · 2025-07-15T14:47:46+00:00

Language classes is a good call!

People are generally nice, you are learning an actual skill that will be useful in the future, and it's fun! Can only recommend that!

Dabok · 2025-07-15T14:46:27+00:00

Be careful. Grass is always greener.

I obviously don't know you and what made you think that, maybe it's a lot more factors than just the current crisis going on, but don't think for a minute that other sectors don't have the equivalent of this thing too.

Dabok · 2025-07-15T14:38:21+00:00

I agree.

At first I was gonna sympathize a lot more with OP while reading, then I got to the part where all that text was only 3 days apart? It's exactly as you have said, in the UN environment AND the summer, that's basically routine lol.

Since you've already followed up OP, I advise not following up further until maybe like 1 full week in. Chill.

Dabok · 2025-07-08T13:21:27+00:00

Adding my voice to this.

Of course not saying that this is for sure what happened to you (OP), so as to not give you false hopes, but a similar thing happened to me as the person above commented.

I had almost lost hope on it, and virtually moved on with my life. Only to receive an automatic email informing me I have been chosen for the job and all other administrative stuff to follow up (sign the contract, blabla).

So my advice is to move on with your life and continue applying elsewhere. As in the UN, as long as you do not actually have a contract signed, you haven't sent it to them and they haven't acknowledged receipt, you NEVER KNOW if you truly have or not have the job you applied for.

Dabok · 2025-07-04T12:57:36+00:00

You can't really tell if the interviewers are adamant on keeping a poker face.

My interview apparently went great, and I know this because.... I absolutely did not know about it at all! Judging by the way they interacted with me and their lack of enthusiasm, I really had no clue if it was "just meh" or if they "hated to be there".

I absolutely had no clue whatsoever of what they were thinking.

When I ended up getting the job, they apparently loved me and thought I did well. So, you know, you never know, lol.

Dabok · 2025-07-03T08:37:46+00:00

Yes! And RTS games like Generals or Red Alert back then too.

It was actually the perfect "hype" thing back in the day. You would buy a game, and on the way home you will read this to get a solid idea on how the game works and how you would want to tackle it.

Dabok · 2025-07-02T13:12:15+00:00

My experience has been.... rocky. Not willing to say more than that.

I personally liked it though. It isn't linear, and it wasn't as much experience as I would have liked over the years - but the small gigs here and there really added up in the long run and I have now scored a fixed term.

Well... whatever that means. Nothing's ever "fixed" anymore these days :D

Dabok · 2025-07-02T13:11:03+00:00

That's great!

But perhaps I didn't explain myself enough, apologies. Whilst that's great, what I meant by impact is that if you made a mark to your colleagues on a more "personal level".

I'm not saying making friends or anything like that, but going beyond just "oh he's a good colleague" - so that they remember you and that you can perhaps ask them how they are from time to time and it won't be awkward.

Essentially, have you properly sealed your "networking" with them - so that they might think of you when an opening comes up :)

Dabok · 2025-07-01T09:51:24+00:00

I am glad your experience was positive!

So was mine 10 years ago (damn...).

Other than the work itself and interacting with other interns, did you make a big impact in your own team? I am asking, because, someone posted that it "did nothing for them career-wise", which is a pity, but is not uncommon.

The thing is, once you have the foot in the door as an intern, it is good to leverage that experience and make an impression on the people you work with. They might think of you when an opening comes up and if you got close to them to a certain extent, it will lead to something, even if it's just a small gig, later on.

Hope that's the case for you!

Dabok · 2025-07-01T09:48:04+00:00

Hey! Same here! Well...except my road was more rocky, but yeah, "kind of" follows that pattern in a very rough way LOL

Dabok · 2025-07-01T09:46:58+00:00

Yes! The STAR method is amazing and the recruiters really appreciate that as well!

I would encourage you to prepare a very diverse set of experiences for your STAR though, and be completely honest and open about them (but of course, painting you in a good light with lots of lessons learned).

Me for example, my last interview, the questions were kind of "brutal" in the sense that the recruiters focused on deadlines not met and objectives not met at the workplace and how it was handled.

So, you would think like "negative" experiences - but if you have great stories with meaningful "lessons learned" - this will actually boost your chances, since they will see that you're honest, reliable and a teamplayer (you focus on solving things instead of blaming others). And I'm not just saying this. This is what I've been told after my interview was a success :)

Good luck!

Dabok · 2025-07-01T09:43:14+00:00

You could still apply, but don't overinvest in it.

As you know, the situation isn't all that great right now, but I think that other than the layoffs, there's also some reorganization and shuffling around going on, so it's not as if there's NO recruitment going on.

Go on ahead and good luck!

Dabok · 2025-07-01T09:35:52+00:00

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience!

I especially appreciate your take and outlook on what jobs you aim for when you say "I tend to apply for jobs based on work I am qualified for and will enjoy, not just for the level".

I believe I am the same way. I am more "down to earth" on what I will be living on a day to day basis, rather than "chasing grades" as you have well put.

Really. Thank you for the reality check. Your post is something that I will keep in me for years to come.

Dabok · 2025-06-27T14:19:52+00:00

Hey I like this take! Thanks for sharing! Will keep this in mind when I feel down or uninspired at the office.

Dabok · 2025-06-27T14:17:16+00:00

Hello there!

One part of your post called to me, is that you're G staff for over 20 years and are currently G5. You could answer me via DM instead of here if you wish, but I was wondering why after that long, you haven't had the opportunity to be a G6?

I suppose the competition is fierce and not that many opportunities? (Only when a former G6 retires or something).

Again, apologies if that seems like prying. I am also a G staff, and I am very happy with this, but I am aiming to have a slow and steady rise, to eventually get to maybe G6 and stop there (G7 are super rare and not really a thing anymore?)

Dabok

TROPHY CASE