Originally shared via email. For early access to UN job search success tips and advice, subscribe to the newsletter here.

I feel compelled to share something I see way too often on LinkedIn.

You know when a UN organization or one of their staff posts about a vacancy and the comments fill up with "I'm interested", "How do I apply?" and similar replies? – Every time I see it, I cringe 😬

Sorry to be blunt, but comments like these come across as lazy or just... not very smart.

They're not going to chase someone down because they "expressed interest" in the comments. And no one has ever landed a UN job by commenting “I’m interested” on a LinkedIn post.

If you're going to engage (and I recommend you do), do it thoughtfully.

Click through, read the vacancy announcement, and if you genuinely can’t figure out how to apply, comment explaining what you’ve already tried and where you're stuck.

Or if you’re truly interested, tell them you’ve read the vacancy and are excited to apply - or better yet, that you have applied and are excited about the next step.

Or, ask a well-thought-out question about the role.

That way, you're not only showing interest—you’re showing professionalism and initiative.

If you have been in the habit of writing "lazy" comments on LinkedIn, no worries. Now you know, and now you can engage differently. It's never too late to learn and change habits 😊

Wishing you bold and meaningful engagements!